In the summer months, we’d all like to be confident to flaunt our smooth legs, with the warm weather bringing endless BBQs, festivals, and trips to the beach! Having hair free legs is one thing, but keeping them smooth and shiny after the hair removal is another task altogether. With a little extra TLC, you can be confident to strut your stuff for longer.
Prep
Whichever hair removal method you choose, prepping your legs is very important to get them in good shape before your treatment. It’s a good idea to exfoliate 24 hours before, paying special attention to tough areas like your knees and ankles in order to rid your legs of any flaky skin. This can help to reduce the likelihood of getting ingrown hairs, and if you are using wax, it will stick to the hairs rather than any dead skin, giving you smoother results[1]. You could invest in an exfoliating scrub, or exfoliation gloves which can be used to scrub away at all areas of your body.
Water Temperature
Another tip is to make sure that you are not washing in water that is too hot, as this can dehydrate your skin and increase the risk of skin irritation[2]. Of course you needn’t wash in ice cold water either. A warm wash can be a great option, as the temperature helps to open pores, exposing the hair closer to the follicle.
Remove
Whether you’re shaving, waxing or using depilatory creams, there are many different methods for removing the unwanted hairs on your legs. If its depilatory creams you are using, make sure to read the label. You don’t want to leave them on for too long as this can be damaging to the skin[3]. Also make sure to conduct a patch skin test at least 24 hours before applying the cream. This will indicate whether you are allergic to the chemicals in the cream before you apply it to the desired area[4]. If you opt for shaving, then it’s good to replace your razor (or razor blade) as often as possible[5], otherwise you risk using a blunt blade, which may not leave you with the closest shave. Waxing is another great at-home option, especially if you’re looking for longer-lasting results than creams or shaving. With waxing[6], it’s important to read the precautions and use instructions carefully, and with hot wax, never heat the wax to higher than the indicated temperature.
After
After hair removal, it’s good to rinse thoroughly, removing any excess gel, wax, or cream. Now is a good time to get into some good light and check that you haven’t missed any areas. It’s no fun finding a patch of unwanted hair when you're already out and about in public!
Moisturise
When your legs are dry, it’s a good idea to apply a rich moisturiser or even a body butter[7]. Rub in a generous amount and be sure to focus on those particularly dry areas again to help nourish the skin and help lock in the moisture. Try putting some on your legs at night – it will soak in overnight, allowing you to start the day with already silky legs!
