How to Shave Your Legs for the First Time

Co-authored by Joanna Kula

Last Updated: August 8, 2022 References Approved

Growing leg hair is a very normal part of growing up, and many people feel more comfortable deciding to remove their leg hair by shaving. If you’d like to shave your legs for the first time, you first need to acquire the correct supplies, learn the proper shaving techniques, and then care for your legs following shaving.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing Supplies

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Use female razors. Female razors come with a rounded head and a curved handle that are made to help you access those trickier spots behind your knees and around your ankles.^{[1]
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Pick a razor system. Razor systems are razors that have a permanent handle and a disposable razor head. You can buy razor cartridges to replace worn out razor heads.
- While these razors can be more expensive, they often have built in moisturizers or lubricants, such as vitamin E, that are great if you have sensitive skin.^{[2]
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Choose a disposable razor. Disposable razors are a great idea if your skin isn’t sensitive or if you want to just pitch the entire razor when it’s worn out.^{[3]
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- Disposable razors also tend to be a cheaper option.
4
Choose a multi-blade razor. It’s important to choose a razor with more than one blade, since single blade razors are more likely to drag against the skin. Three blades is typical for a razor.^{[4]
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- Razors come with as many as six blades! You should experiment and see what number of blades feel best on your skin.
5
Purchase shaving cream or gel. You need a lathering agent to help the razor glide easily over your skin. Using a shaving cream or gel will help prevent razor burn, or red bumps that are caused by shaving. Shaving cream also reduces the number of nicks you give yourself shaving.
- Don’t want to purchase shaving cream? Hair conditioner is a great alternative that’s also much cheaper.^{[5]
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- If you have sensitive skin, avoid shaving creams that contain alcohol. The alcohol will dry out your skin.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Learning Proper Shaving Techniques

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Shave at the end of your shower. The warm water of your shower softens your leg hair and opens your follicles, which makes shaving easier. Shave after your legs have been exposed to the water of your shower for about 10-15 minutes.^{[7]
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Wash off your legs with soap and water. Before you begin shaving, wash off your legs with soap and warm water to prevent any infections.^{[8]
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Apply your shaving cream to your entire leg. Liberally apply shaving cream with your hands, making sure it’s fully covering the area of your leg that you want to shave.
- If you’re looking to really get a close shave, apply shaving cream with a shaving brush, which will help raise the hair up, so it’s better exposed during shaving.^{[9]
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Hold your razor lightly at a 30 degree angle to your leg. You’ll want to hold your razor at an angle that feels good to you, which is probably around 30 degrees. Make sure you’re holding the razor with the handle pointed down towards your toes.
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Shave with the grain. Shaving with the grain, or down the leg, is best for your first shave. Because your leg hair will be longer, going with the grain of your hair will reduce the possibility of irritation.
- Shaving against the grain, or shaving up the leg, is okay once your leg hair is shorter.
- If you have sensitive skin, always shave with the grain, or down the leg.^{[10]
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Go gently over the knee and ankle. Shaving around the knee and ankle are the trickiest parts of shaving your legs for the first time. Go slowly and apply less pressure as you shave over these areas, so you don’t cut yourself.^{[11]
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Rinse your razor between strokes. Be sure to rinse your razor every 2 to 3 strokes. If you continue shaving with shaving cream or hair that’s clogging the blades, you’ll be more likely to cut yourself.^{[12]
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Rinse your legs with cold water. After you’ve finished shaving, rinse your legs off with cool water, which will close up your pores.^{[13]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Caring for Your Legs

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Apply moisturizer or oil regularly after shaving. After shaving you should always apply a moisturizing lotion or after-shave oil that will help keep your legs smooth. It also softens the hair, leaving you less exposed to infections that are caused by hair getting trapped below the skin.

EXPERT TIP

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician
Joanna Kula is a Licensed Esthetician, Owner and Founder of Skin Devotee Facial Studio in Philadelphia. With over 10 years of experience in skincare, Joanna specializes in transformative facial treatments to help clients achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful, and radiant skin. She is also a contributing author for the prestigious Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa magazine and has been featured in a number of magazines including InStyle.

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician

Exfoliate after you moisturize to get smooth, silky legs. For that extra silky feeling, I recommend exfoliating with either exfoliating gloves or a body scrub daily.
2
Stop the bleeding of any cuts with Vaseline. If you did happen to nick yourself shaving, it’s easily fixed. Razor cuts are difficult to stop bleeding, but if you dry the area and dab on some Vaseline, the bleeding will stop.
3
Treat razor burn. If you’ve wound up with the tell-tale red bumps of razor burn, take care to treat it, so the bumps don’t turn into scars. Put a warm compress on the area, which will relax the hair that’s trapped below the skin of the bump.^{[14]
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tell-tale sign of razor burn, bumps on your legs,}
4
Replace your blades regularly. You should replace your razor at the first sign of dullness, which usually occurs between 5 to 10 shaves. Shaving with a dull razor will lead to razor burn.
- Old blades are also more likely to trap bacteria and cause infections.^{[15]
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Community Q&A

Question

Does it hurt when you first shave?

Community Answer

Shaving your legs shouldn't hurt. However, first-timers may be more likely to nick themselves accidentally. Make sure you use a fresh razor and shaving cream, and be careful.
Question

Do I have to use a new razor each time?

Community Answer

No, most razors can be used up to five times depending on how well you take care of them. Clean the razor after each use.
Question

What if I'm too embarrassed to talk to my parents about shaving?

Community Answer

You should find a good time when you mom isn't busy and just ask if she will help.

Warnings

Always wash the razor after you use it

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Helpful 29 Not Helpful 1
Never share razors with anyone else.

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Helpful 55 Not Helpful 5
Replace razor after it becomes rusty/ dirty. If you don’t you might get razor burn.

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Helpful 27 Not Helpful 2