It’s no longer just women who shave their legs. Growing numbers of guys are now choosing to take their manscaping routines one step further by removing their leg hair, too.
For some guys, it’s all about giving their leg hair a slight trim for a neater look. Whereas others like to shave around the ankles if they’re wearing shoes that expose the bottom of their legs for a smarter finish.
But the benefits of leg shaving aren’t all aesthetic. In fact, plenty of swimmers and cyclists also like to remove their leg hair as a way of boosting their athletic performance.
Why Do Cyclists Shave Their Legs?
Removing your leg hair can streamline your body, which can be great for improving your performance when you’re competing or playing sports. That’s why so many cyclists and swimmers shave theirs.
And, of course, removing your leg hair makes removing any plasters much easier after an injury, making any cycling-related mishaps slightly less painful to manage, helping you to get back to your best in no time at all.
So, whether you’re doing it for sports or for aesthetic and personal reasons, shaving your legs can help you feel confident, comfortable, and well groomed.
However, removing leg hair isn’t all about the shaving part – it’s important to follow a shaving prep and aftercare routine, which helps prevent ingrown hairs on your legs, razor bumps, dry skin, and itchy legs after shaving.
Keep reading our leg shaving tips for men, including the best way to exfoliate and moisturise your legs afterwards for ultra-smooth, healthy skin.
How to Shave Your Legs
Here’s how to shave your legs in five easy steps:
1. Soften Your Leg Hair and Exfoliate
Have a shower or bath to get your skin ready for the razor. Warm water will soften your leg hair, making it easier for your blade to cut through.
Next, grab your favourite body scrub and loofah and get ready to exfoliate! Exfoliating is how you remove dead skin cells, dirt and oil from your pores, which helps you get a smoother overall result and streamline your sporting performance. It’s also one of the best way to prevent ingrown hairs on your legs.
Ingrown hairs are caused by dead skin blocking a hair follicle, causing the hair to grow backwards into the skin. Ingrown leg hairs can be painful and uncomfortable, cropping up in all sorts of places, including between your legs.
To remove dead skin off your legs and help to reduce the chance of ingrown leg hairs, simply apply a body scrub to your legs and gently work into your legs using the textured loofah, before washing off. Following up after shaving with a good-quality moisturiser will help you avoid itchy legs after shaving.
2. Trim Longer Hairs
Don’t go straight in with a razor blade to shave your legs – trim longer hairs down first to stop them from getting tangled in your razor. The Gillette All Purpose Styler and Beard Trimmer is the ideal gadget for this – it’s actually 100% waterproof, so you can use it while you’re still in the shower if you prefer.