For a wet shave:

A manual, hand-held razor

A shaving potion (cream, gel, or lotion)

A mild, non-drying soap

Some body lotion, oil- and alcohol-free

A terry wash cloth

Optional but advisable:

A styptic pencil

Some aloe vera spray, 99% pure

For a dry shave:

An electric razor: a traditional shaver or rotating coil system

A bit of corn starch or mild powder (suitable for babies)

alcohol-free skin toner

An exfoliating lotion or scrub

Some body lotion, oil- and alcohol-free

Optional but adviseable:

Some aloe vera spray, 99% pure

10 minutes prep (no kidding!)

at least 5 minutes to shave

5-10 minutes aftercare

aloe vera: juice of the aloe vera plant, known to soothe burns and irritations, and aid healing.

exfoliating lotion or scrub: preparation that removes dead, dull, surface layer skin cells. Exfoliation softens and smoothes, keeping pores clear and ingrown hairs at bay.

ingrown hair: hair that changes direction, growing back under the skin instead of breaking through it. May form pimples at the surface and become infected.

loofah: a dried plant that can be used as a sponge. Loofahs are abrasive, often used to exfoliate body skin.

razor burn: describes any post-shave irritation. Common causes include placing too much pressure on the blade, dull blades, harsh soaps, and alcohol-containing products, to name a few.

rotating coil hair removal system: a hand-held electrical device with a vibrating metal coil that circulates over the skin. It catches hold of leg hairs and removes them from the root. Before long, your legs will stay smooth for weeks; regrowth is thin and sparse. However it's too painful for some, and also may produce ingrown hairs.

styptic pencil: a shaver's best friend. Stops minor cuts like magic. Just moisten and apply.

Ingrown hairs can sometimes be tweezed from the skin's surface. Don't dig. Infected ingrowns should be treated by a doctor.

Persistent irritation, characterized by tender, raised red bumps, may indicate infection. If it lasts over a week, see a doctor.

Caught without shaving potion? Rub a little oil-free hair conditioner over prepped skin, then follow with a lather made from a mild shampoo. Proceed as usual.

Relax. Take your time. Practice. Then teach your best friend.

2torial #0655: Learn2 Shave Your Legs What your big sister never told you (because she probably never knew)... There are people out there immune to irritating soaps, bad blades and a brutal technique, but chances are you're not one of them. Most shaving damage results from improper products and lack of preparation. Learn what to use, how to use it and when. After you've mastered the perfect shave, you may be able to get away with a shortcut or two.   Read the "Tips" and "Keywords" sections. There you'll find information about razors and blades, explanations, alternatives to traditional skin products and more. Next, gather your materials. Assemble them at your shaving site so you can reach them easily. Finally, optimize your equipment: insert a new blade in your manual razor, clean the heads in your electric. Regarding manual razors, choose whatever you like but consider that: A pivoting head can help negotiate small bony places A single blade razor is less irritating than a double-bladed one. A razor designed for women is often smaller and lighter than men's razors. In all cases, follow the manufacturer's suggestions. Prepare your skin Chronic razor burn? Or only at certain times of the year? Temperature, humidity, even diet and stress can seem to alter skin's thickness and resilience. Find what works for you and modify to suit the seasons. Wet shave: Wet your legs and the wash cloth with very warm water. Very hot water is drying to skin and damaging to pores. Soap the cloth, but not enough to make it slippery. With firm yet gentle pressure, soap up the skin, moving against the direction the hair grows: coax the hairs up off the surface of the skin. Rinse very well and leave wet. Apply the shaving potion of your choice. Dry shave: For a traditional electric razor, Proceed as above. Then dry well, against the growth pattern. Splash on toner. For a rotating coil system, Starting with clean skin, use an exfoliating lotion or scrub according to manufacurer's instructions. If you've used this kind of system before without pore problems, a loofah or bath brush may suffice. Dry and tone as above. Dust with cornstarch or powder; the skin must be absolutely dry before using any electric system. Bare it all! OK. The time is now. If you've prepared your legs properly, this step should be a breeze. Good light and a place to prop your foot will make the hard to reach spots more accessible. Wet shave: Wet the razor. Some light and a sure grip helps maneuver around curves and bones. No need to apply pressure: just use the weight of the razor. Shaving in the direction hair grows can eliminate chronic razor burn and reduce inflammation of the pores. Rinse the razor frequently in hot water to remove hair and shaving potion. Begin shaving around the ankle with short, delicate strokes, drawing in toward the bone. Watch what you're doing. (One technique is the "skin tug": press with your fingertips a portion of skin that's unlathered or already shaved, push it down towards your ankle and then shave the portion above it. This helps the hair stand off the skin and also produces a flatter shaving surface.) Then, with longer strokes, draw the razor from above the ankle to just under the knees. This is the easiest part of the leg to shave--but it's vulnerable to carelessness. Easy around those shin bones! Next the knees. Take a good look. Then bend the knee slowly and watch how it changes, for example, where curves fill in or bones recede. It only takes a few moments. Shave the flattest (easiest) sections first, then bend the knee as needed to expose other flat, easy to shave areas. When you're finished, use your fingertips to feel for places you missed. Look closely at knees and ankles. Touch up if necessary. If you nicked yourself, bring out the styptic pencil. Moisten the tip, then dab on the wound. Treat deeper cuts as you would normally. Rinse your legs well. Pat dry with a soft towel. Dry shave: For a traditional razor, adjust the razor--if you have the option-- for your hair type. Grasp the razor firmly but be flexible. Flip the "on" switch. Start by slowly edging around the ankle. Then move upward, going against the direction of hair growth. If your shaver has three rotating blades, circular movements are best. With a straight-bladed razor, try long repetitive strokes. Knees can be difficult, especially if using a facial shaver; feel free to maneuver both to best effect. For a rotating coil system: For best results using a rotating coil (or similar) system, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Note that wider movements can help prevent ingrown hairs. Also, a daily loofah or brush routine will prevent clogged hair follicles, reducing the incidence of ingrown hairs. Coarse and curly haired legs are most at risk. Aftercare: Soothe your skin An electric razor is easy on skin; still, a moisturizing routine adds a silky finish. On the other hand, wet shaving and rotating coils leave skin vulnerable to alcohol and oil: the former can burn; the latter clogs pores. Test scented lotions for mildness. Wet shave: Spray your legs liberally with aloe vera spray. Allow to absorb a few minutes; spray again if desired. If your skin stings, wait till it calm downs before slathering with lotion. Dry shave: Remove excess powder; pat dry. Then... With a traditional razor, spray an even layer of aloe vera on newly-shaved skin. Wait till absorbed, then follow with body lotion. With rotating coil systems, spray legs liberally with aloe vera. Allow to absorb completely. Follow with body lotion. -end- Learn More!