Shaving against the grain – i.e. up the leg – supposedly gives a closer shave, but it also increases the risk of nicks, cuts and bumps. It's best to start by shaving down the leg, in the direction of the hair's growth.
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.
In general, pubic hair in females naturally covers the labia majora (outer lips) to the inner thighs and form a triangle-like shape up to the pubic bone. Some women will naturally grow thicker or thinner hair than others, so typically there's no cause for alarm when there's slight variation.
If your legs are not well-hydrated the hair will be more difficult to cut, increasing chances of irritating your skin, nicks and razor burn. Shaving dry hair may even dull down your blade faster. Do so by soaking your legs in a a warm bath or shower for at least 3-5 minutes.
Case in point, the real root cause of prickly hair is shaving, especially with a dull or used razor. Because the blades are no longer sharp enough, it does not cut the hair smoothly at skin level. Instead, it leaves stubbles with sharp or jagged tips that feel sandy or prickly to the touch.
Dark inner thighs may emerge as a result of increased melanin production, which can be triggered by many factors, like friction between the thighs, using tight clothes, hormonal changes, or shaving with razors.
The decision comes down to body changes and her personal interest in shaving her legs. Your daughter may be eager to start shaving, or she may be more nervous about it. Some girls will be interested in shaving their legs as young as 10 or 11, and others may not be ready until their later teen years.
You're shaving up the leg before you shave down the leg
Once your hairs are already very short and the skin is warm and lubricated, going against the direction of hair growth is much safer. "If you'd still like a closer shave, reapply the gel and shave again — against the direction of the hair growth," Dr.
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. How quickly hair grows also depends on the area of the body.
The key to shaving pubes is to use short strokes with gentle pressure. 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.
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).
Consider trying a different razor if you're finding that you often have prickly hair or stubble left over after shaving. Disposable razors for example tend to have rather poor blades that are stiffly fixed onto a cheap plastic handle, their design is not optimised for the closest and best possible shave.
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.
Premature pubarche, or the development of pubic hair before the age of 8 in girls or 9 in boys, is most commonly caused by premature adrenarche. Adrenarche is the maturation of the adrenal zona reticularis in both boys and girls, resulting in the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, and adult apocrine body odor.
Most Americans (59%) say that it's unattractive for a woman to have hair on her legs. About three in 10 (31%) say it is neither attractive nor unattractive, and just 5% believe it's attractive. People are less inclined to have strong opinions on men's leg hair.
Yes, everyone has butt hair. Once puberty hits, hair begins to grow in all kinds of ~specific~ places (like on your underarms, legs, pubic area, face, and, yes, butt). It's 100 percent normal (and expected) and we promise that you, your crush, and your besties all have butt hair.
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.