Straight up, there is no science to support a reason not to shave above the knee, says Dr Elizabeth Farrell, gynaecologist and medical director at Jean Hailes for Women's Health. Some women don't feel the need to because the hairs on their thighs are finer and thinner than those on the lower half of their leg.
There's no set time for girls to begin shaving. You can start shaving when you feel you have enough hair growth on your legs and/or armpits to shave it off.
“Some may be eager to start very early, while for others, this could be a scary thought. It's a conversation that you'll need to discuss with them.” “Some girls start shaving their legs as early as age 10 or 11, some girls don't even think about shaving legs up to age 20 and others don't want to shave at all,” Dr.
The most important thing for her to know around the question of “Should I shave my legs?” is that it is a personal decision for her to make. Some girls may want to start shaving very early, while others might not even think about it until later on or actually want to wait.
Wet your legs. We've all probably been in a situation when we've wanted to shave as quick as humanly possible. But here's why it's important to soak your legs in the bathtub or shower for a few minutes before a razor hits your skin: It's easier to miss spots or get nicks when your legs aren't thoroughly wet.
Oh, and if you notice that your legs feel prickly a day or two after shaving, know that it's normal. Generally, that's just your hair growing back. Because shaving causes hairs to have a blunt end, the tip might feel coarser or more stubbled as it first sprouts back out, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Everyone's talking about the myth that if you shave the hair will grow back thicker and darker. That's not why people will tell you not to shave above the knee. The reason some women don't shave above the knee is because the hair on your thighs is a lot lighter and more sparse than the hair on your shins.
Recent figures from a research study by Mintel reported that the percentage of young women aged between 18-24 shaving their underarm hair fell from 95% in 2013 to 77% in 2016. Leg-shaving is experiencing a decline too, having fallen from 92% in 2012, to 85% in 2016.
Long story short, there is nothing dirty or unclean about pubic hair. There is no medical reason to remove it. And yet, many people feel pressured to shave or wax because of our society's long-standing ideas of gender, beauty, and purity. (This is all very American.
Shaving exfoliates by removing the dead cells every time the razor glides across the surface of the skin. Nazarian says that if you stop shaving, you will accumulate a layer of skin at the top of the epidermis, making it a little tougher for products like moisturizers to penetrate and be effective.
Shaving with the grain
You must shave in the downwards direction as it protects you from getting razor burns or ingrown hair. Although shaving against the grain can undoubtedly give you a closer shave, it is not something you must follow if you have sensitive skin.
You can shave in any direction that feels comfortable, but shaving “with the grain” will help to avoid excess shaving irritation. Clean the blade in water every 2-3 strokes to keep your hair from blocking the blades. Rinse and repeat as you shave the parts of your pubic area that you feel comfortable grooming.
In general, we recommend shaving every two to three days if you want a clean shave; three to five days if you want to simply style or trim; and if you want to just let your hair grow, then simply stop shaving.
Some people like to shave every day, while others prefer to do it on special occasions. Stick to a schedule that works for you and your skin. If you prefer silky smooth skin all the time, it could be worth shaving your legs every day or a few times a week (especially if you have fast-growing hair).
Benefits of shaving after you shower:
Exposing your skin to steam opens your pores, allowing for a closer shave! Steam softens your hair follicles, making it easier to cut them. Reducing skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin!
Use a sharp, clean razor and moisturizing shaving cream
This method helps prevent razor bumps and burns that lead to strawberry legs. Shave gently with short, light strokes. It's also best to shave during or after a shower, when your legs are clean of excess oil and dead skin that could clog your razor.
When in doubt, switch to a shave cream designed for sensitive skin and use a clean razor. If bumps still occur, take a warm washcloth and soak the area to soothe the hair follicles, then add an unscented, ultra-gentle body lotion on the legs, like Doctor Rogers Restore Body Cream.
Pubis Shaving
For many years, people never cared about shaving their pubic hair until the birth of bikini in 1946. Between the 1960s and 1970s, trimming took a different twist, and women were discouraged from trimming. In the 1980s, they were now encouraged on trimming and even to do a thorough shave.
Should you shave your pubic hair every day? It might be tempting, but you definitely don't want to shave down there every day — this could lead to increased irritation. “It's best to give the skin some time to recover,” Dr. Garshick explains.
First thing's first: There's no age when girls should start shaving. In fact, girls don't have to shave at all if they don't want to. (And, on the flip side, some boys may want to — and that's OK.)