“Shaving the legs may cause microfissures (like tiny nicks) in the skin, increasing your risk of infection after the pedicure,” Ploch explains.
Hair also prevents different pathogens from invading our body, such as in the pubic area." So she points out that there is no major downside to not shaving, despite it feeling a little different if you're used to being hairless in these areas. "Letting your body hair grow is what nature intended," says Dr.
There are some benefits to not shaving like better sex, a reduced chance for skin infections, and a more regulated body temperature. Ultimately, you should go with whatever style makes you feel comfortable.
Shaving can cause inflamed hair follicles, itching, ingrown hairs and razor burn. Results only last 1 to 3 days. Dull blades can cause irritation and cuts.
If you feel like you have a lot of body hair, it might be serious. Body hair is normal, and it exists for an evolutionary reason: To keep us warm. But too much of a good thing can be a sign that something else is going on in your body.
“Some girls start shaving their legs as early as age 10 or 11, some girls don't even think about shaving legs up to age 20 and others don't want to shave at all,” Dr. Kronborg added. “The same goes for boys. They may want to try and grow a full beard while others feel more comfortable shaving.”
Leg hair and arm hair developed to help prevent chafing so we could move around without causing friction.
Overall, the benefits of shaving body hair have as much to do with appearances and personal preference as they do hygiene. However, with proper shaving technique, getting rid of your body hair will reduce your difficulties with sweat and body odor as well as make you look and feel better.
Shave in long, steady strokes
And when shaving your knees, try bending your leg to better shave the front of your knee cap, and then straighten your leg when shaving behind. Stop and rinse off your razor blade after every stroke to wash away shave gel residue and body hair. And, take your time to avoid nicks and cuts.
Not shaving reduces skin-on-skin contact friction, which means when you do activities that involve arm movement, like running or walking, your skin is much less likely to get irritated by the friction. This might lead to fewer skin issues like rashes and ingrown hairs.
If you're afraid that no longer shaving means that hair will grow at a faster rate or it will come back a different texture than before, don't be. That's a myth, and there are absolutely no changes to hair when you take a break from your razor.
Straight up, there is no science to support a reason not to shave above the knee, says Dr Elizabeth Farrell, gynaecologist and medical director at Jean Hailes for Women's Health. Some women don't feel the need to because the hairs on their thighs are finer and thinner than those on the lower half of their leg.
-The average shaving session takes 10.9 minutes. -The majority of women shave 1-2 times each week, but 11% of women shave every day.
Oh, and if you notice that your legs feel prickly a day or two after shaving, know that it's normal. Generally, that's just your hair growing back. Because shaving causes hairs to have a blunt end, the tip might feel coarser or more stubbled as it first sprouts back out, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Never Dry Shave
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), before picking up a razor, you should wet your skin and hair to help soften it. By doing this, you rid your body of excess oil and dead skin cells that can potentially clog your pores — which is something you want to avoid.
To avoid strawberry legs, try shaving in the direction of hair growth. Avoid passing over the same area too many times, which will irritate the skin. Also, be careful not to stretch your skin tight while shaving. When done, Tobia adds, "Pat your legs dry—rubbing can irritate your skin—and apply a moisturizer or oil.
If you value affordability, convenience and painless hair removal, shaving your legs may be a good option. However, if you're prone to razor burn, ingrown hairs or don't want to shave frequently, you may want to consider other hair removal methods.
Shaving Boosts Safety + Injury Recovery
Runners and cyclists typically shave because tight shorts plus body hair can mean painful tugs at the worst moments. Rock climbers and contact sport athletes also benefit from body hair removal, which can snag while active and tear the skin.
As people age, they may lose hair on their legs for a variety of reasons. Hair loss can occur on your legs just as it can on your head, and, similarly, genetics can play a role in this issue. If baldness runs in the family, you could also experience hair loss on other parts of your body, such as your legs.
You have a hormone imbalance
This means you can get hair where you don't want it, like your face, belly, thighs, or butt. According to Mount Sinai Medical Center, about half of cases are caused by high levels of male sex hormones or “androgens,” like testosterone.
It's caused by an excess of male hormones called androgens. All women naturally produce small amounts of androgens. But high levels of this hormone can lead to hirsutism.