How to Get Smooth Legs without Shaving

Co-authored by Alicia Ramos

Last Updated: May 13, 2021 References

Shaving is a fast and easy way to get smooth legs, but for many people, it's simply not an option. If you have dark, thick hair, shaving might leave visible spots at the follicle, and nobody wants that! Shaved hair also grows back fairly quickly, and shaving may result in irritating razor burn and ingrown hairs if your technique is sloppy or rushed. If you want smooth legs, but are looking for an alternative to shaving, there are several techniques you can use.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Waxing and Sugaring

1
Gather your materials. Waxing and sugaring follow the same process, but you spread different products on your skin. If you want to wax, you can find an over-the-counter waxing kit in any grocery store or pharmacy. Sugaring kits aren't as widely available, but can be purchased online or made easily at home.
- A waxing kit should include wax, waxing strips, and a stick to spread the wax across your skin.
- A sugaring kit should include sugaring paste, sugaring strips, and a stick to spread the paste across your skin.
- To make a homemade sugaring kit, use muslin or denim^{[1]
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  Research source} for sugaring strips and a Popsicle strip for application to the skin. Follow these instructions to make homemade sugaring paste with sugar, salt, lemon, and water.
- You'll also need access to a microwave to warm the wax or paste up from room temperature.
2
Prepare your skin for waxing or sugaring. Although it's not harmful to your skin if you take the correct steps, these processes could have unwanted effects like redness and soreness if you don't take the appropriate precautions to protect your legs.
- Make sure your leg hair is long enough for waxing or sugaring. Ideally, it will be between 1/8" and 1/4."^{[2]
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  Research source}
- Make sure don't have any cuts, scrapes, irritation, or sunburn on your legs. Pulling hair from skin that's already damaged will only make it worse.^{[3]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
- Clean your skin with soap, and dry your legs.
- Remove dead skin from the surface by using a body scrub, loofah, or shower glove. Don't rub too hard, though — you don't want to irritate your skin off the bat!
- Soak your legs in warm water for 5-10 minutes.
- Moisturize your skin with an oil-free lotion. Oil on your skin will prevent wax from getting a firm grip on your hair.
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3
Warm up the wax or paste up from room temperature. Over the counter wax and sugaring paste usually comes in microwave-safe containers, but if it doesn't, transfer the product to a container you can either microwave or put on the stove.
- Follow the warming instructions on the box.
- Properly warmed wax should have a soft, easily-spreadable consistency like honey.
- Properly warmed sugaring paste will be soft and sticky.
- Be careful not to over-warm it. Hot wax or sugaring paste can burn terribly.
4
Determine the direction of hair growth. You want to remove the entire hair in this process, or else you may get painful ingrown hairs. To prevent this, check which direction your hair is growing in. On legs, hair will grown downward.
- This means that when you get to these steps, you will apply the wax in a downward motion, then pull the waxing strip off in an upward motion.
- If sugaring, you will apply the paste in an upward motion, and also pull the sugaring strip off in an upward direction.
5
Using the applicator stick, apply a thin layer of the warmed product to your skin. Remember to apply it in a downward direction if waxing, and an upward direction if sugaring.
- Don't apply too much product, or it will be gloopy and won't attach strongly to the strip.
- A layer of bout 1/4" is ideal.
6
Apply the removal strip over an area slightly smaller than the strip. Rub your hand over the strip to encourage the strip to grip the product, and the product to grip your hair. Do this gently, but firmly.
7
Prepare to remove the strip. Grip it from the bottom with your dominant hand (right, if you're right-handed, left if you're left-handed). With your other hand, hold the skin taut by pulling it in an upward direction from above the removal strip.
- Reverse directions (grip the top of the strip, pull skin below the strip in an upward direction) on areas where hair grows in the opposite direction.
8
Pull the strip off in an upward direction. Do this quickly and firmly! If you pull too slowly, the product and hair will be left behind.
9
Reheat the wax or paste as needed. Especially at first, this process may take you a long time. You'll get faster with practice, but the first few times you try, your wax or paste might cool down too much to be effective. If it becomes difficult to spread, reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until it reaches the ideal consistency again.
10
Take care of your newly-waxed or sugared skin. Temporary redness and irritation is normal, but you'll want to soothe your skin.
- Wash your legs with gentle soap again, making sure not to use overly-warm water.
- Spread moisturizer over the entire affected area.
- If the irritation really bothers you, try soothing the skin with an ice bag.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Hair Removal Creams

1
Purchase a hair removal cream. You should be able to find a variety of brands at your local grocery store or convenience store. Some popular brands include Veet, Nair, and Moom.^{[4]
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Research source} There are different types of cream for the different types of hair that grow on the body, so don't try to remove all the hair on your legs with a cream meant for your upper lip or your bikini line!
2
Prepare your legs. In the shower or bathtub, clean your skin with a gentle soap and warm water. Dry them well after you've cleansed the area to be treated.
3
Perform a skin test. These hair removal creams eat through your hair, so it's no surprise they can damage your skin if it's sensitive or if you leave the cream on for too long.
- Using the applicator, spread the cream over a small patch of skin
- Let it sit for as long as the instructions on the box say to
- Rinse the cream off
- Wait 24 hours to make sure your skin has no adverse reactions to the cream^{[5]
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  Research source}
4
If your test is successful, follow the instructions on the box to treat both of your legs. Depending on the product you purchase, your specific instructions may be different, so read those instructions carefully. It's very important that you follow the time recommendation on the box precisely, because leaving the cream on for longer than recommended can results in painful burns and ugly scabs!
- Don't try to rub the cream into your legs. It's not meant to disappear like lotion, but to sit on the surface of your skin.
5
Wash your legs clean. Once the recommended amount of time has passed, use a warm, wet washcloth to wipe the cream off your legs. Be gentle because your skin may feel sensitive. You'll probably want to rinse your legs off in the shower or bathtub to make sure you've removed all the cream.
6
Rub lotion on your legs. If you want your newly smoothed legs to looks shiny and healthy, you want to rub them with a good quality lotion or oil every day. Use a lotion with aloe in it if your skin feels a little sensitive after you rinse the hair removal cream off.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Professional Laser Hair Removal

1
Decide whether or not laser hair removal is for you. There is a great deal of variation in the effects of the procedure, but it tends to have the most ideal, lasting effects on individuals with fair skin and dark hair.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Alicia Ramos
Skincare Professional
Expert Interview. 12 June 2019.}
2
Find a laser hair removal professional. In the United States, there is no licensing requirement for laser hair removal technicians, so think carefully about who you trust to perform this procedure on you. A good deal may not be worth the sacrifice of professionalism and technical skill.
- Look for a board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon who has experience with or who specializes in laser hair removal.
- Avoid salons or spas that might allow people without medical training and experience to perform the procedure.
3
Schedule a consultation. Go to the meeting prepared with your complete medical history and a list of medications you take. At the consultation, the technician should perform a test on a small patch of skin to make sure you have no adverse reactions. Typical adverse reactions might include^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}:
- Blistering
- Crusting
- Scarring
4
Prepare your legs for six weeks before your treatment. Although it's not dangerous, laser hair removal is a fairly serious procedure, so you should take the necessary precautions to make sure nothing goes wrong during your treatment.
- Protect your legs from the sun; a tan can result in splotchy skin lightening during the process, so let your tan fade if you have one.
- Leave the roots of the hairs intact for a minimum of six weeks before your treatment. You can shave your legs or use a hair removal cream, but don't do anything that will remove the hair by the root — waxing or sugaring, for example.
5
Right before your treatment, shave your legs closely. Although there is disagreement on this, some studies suggest that a close shave immediately before laser hair removal treatment improves results and possibly even decreases the pain you experience. Even if there's disagreement about whether or not it's true, it can't hurt!
6
Attend your laser hair removal treatment. It's going to hurt, but you'll get through it. Make sure to let the technician know if the pain is becoming unmanageable. They can take short breaks, adjust the intensity of the laser, or apply a numbing cream to help you manage the pain.
7
Deal with the immediate effects. It's perfectly normal to experience discomfort after your treatment session. To soothe your skin, try pressing ice or aloe creams to especially sensitive areas. Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and Tylenol to help manage the pain. Redness and irritation should subside within a few hours.

Community Q&A

Question

How long does hair removal cream last until the hair grows back?

Community Answer

Your hair will start to grow back within about a week, sometimes less, as it does with shaving.
Question

How do I get my skin lighter/smoother and get my hair lighter as an 11 year old?

Community Answer

For your skin, use coconut oil as a lotion. For your leg hair, ask your mom about shaving.
Question

How do I approach my mom about shaving? I'm 12.

Community Answer

You can just tell her that the other girls at school have started shaving and you're feeling self conscious about the hair on your legs and would like to start shaving, too.

Warnings

Leaving a hair removal cream on for longer than the recommended time can result in painful burns and scabs.

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Sunburnt, irritated, or cut/scraped skin should not be waxed until it heals.

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If you don't let your tan fade before laser hair removal, you may have temporary skin lightening after your treatment.

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Pregnant women or women on hormonal treatments (including birth control) may find waxing more painful than others.

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Avoid using retinoid creams for 2 to 5 days before waxing your legs. Otherwise, you run the risk of removing some skin along with the hair.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}

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