How to Prevent Razor Bumps on Legs

Razor bumps can occur on the legs after shaving. They have the appearance of pimple and can make wearing skirts or shorts an embarrassing experience. Luckily, for women and men who shave, there are many ways to prevent razor bumps from occurring in the first place. Prevention is much easier than dealing with razor burn that is already there.

Things You'll Need

• Shaving lotion or cream
• Needle
• Razors (sharp)

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Instructions

• 1

  Use shaving lotion or cream. When in a hurry, it may seem easier to just shave dry or use the nearest bar of soap, but doing this can wreck havoc on legs. Sticking to a quality shaving lotion will help reduce the risk of razor bumps. Shaving lotion should be applied in a thick coat over the entire leg.

• 2

  Do not shave with a dull razor. Dull razor blades are more likely to cause nicks in the skin and leave behind shorter hairs which can both result in razor bumps. If shaving every day, a disposable razor should be changed about once a week. This can vary depending on the coarseness of the leg hair being shaved.

• 3

  Exfoliate before shaving. Doing so has many benefits. Ridding the skin on the legs of dead skin will help clean pores and lift embedded hairs before they have a chance to become ingrown. Exfoliating the legs will also leave the skin softer after a shave.

• 4

  Soak in warm water before shaving. This will help soften the hair on the legs making it easier to remove. This may sound timely, but even just five minutes of soaking can soften up the hair. If you don't have enough time to do this for every shave, soaking a few times a week will help, too.

• 5

  Limit foods that contain high amounts of cholesterol, fat, oil and sodium. These have all been linked to making the skin more prone to damage, which includes the damage that causes razor bumps. The benefits will also be seen in the rest of the skin as well.

• 6

  Lift any embedded hairs from the skin with a clean needle. Rubbing alcohol is the best way to clean the needle being used. Embedded hairs can become inflamed after a shave and give the appearance of razor bumps. Removing them prior to shaving will help to reduce inflammation. Always make sure the needle is cleaned properly before using to prevent infection.