How To Have Smooth Clear Legs

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Dry, chalky skin and razor bumps are no fun, whether you're gearing up for summer or winter weather. Don't worry—smooth, soft legs are much closer than you think! We've put together plenty of tips, tricks, and ideas to help your legs feel smooth, silky, and luxurious again.

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A body scrub will remove dry, dead skin cells. Hop in the shower for a few minutes first, so you aren't applying the scrub to dry skin.^[1] Everyone's skin is a little different, so rub a small amount of product on your skin to make sure you don't have a reaction.^[2] Feel free to focus on rougher, dryer sections of skin, like your knees and heels, or apply the scrub all over.^[3]
- Don't worry—it's perfectly safe to both dry brush and use a body scrub.
- Always exfoliate before you shave, so all your dead skin cells are cleared away.

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Dry brushing both exfoliates and stimulates your legs. ^[4] Grab a natural-bristle brush and guide in gentle, upward strokes around your knees, thighs, calves, and butt. Dry brushing both legs is quick and easy, and only takes about 3 minutes total.^[5] Feel free to dry brush every day, but do it before you hop into the shower; this way, all your dead skin cells will get rinsed off.^[6]
- Some people claim that dry brushing reduces cellulite, but there isn't any hard evidence to prove this.^[7]

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Some body washes actually strip away oil. To keep your skin smooth and sleek, pick out a creamy, nourishing body wash formula instead. If you're a fan of bar soap, opt for a glycerin-based product infused with Argan, almond, or coconut oil.^[8]

1
Shave your legs while taking a warm bath or shower. ^[9] Slather a shaving gel or cream all over your legs, so the razor glides really smoothly over your skin. Then, grab a sharp razor, shaving your legs in the direction of your leg hair growth.^[10] Once you're finished, rinse off your legs with cool water and apply moisturizer all over your skin.^[11]
- Keep your razor in a dry, clean spot when you're not using it, and replace your blade every 5-7 shaves, if possible.
- If you aren't a fan of shaving, you might prefer a depilatory (hair-removing) cream.^[12]

1
Moisture leaves your skin right after you step out of the shower. ^[13] With this in mind, spread a thick layer of moisturizing lotion all over your legs right away. Then, wait at least 10 minutes for the product to soak into your skin.^[14]
- For the best results, apply your lotion within 3 minutes of leaving the shower.
- If you'd like your skin to look more youthful, pick out a lotion with retinols.^[15]

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The body oil goes on top of your lotion. Before turning in for the night, spread a thin layer of body oil on top of the lotion. The oil helps "protect" the lotion, which keeps your legs moisturized throughout the night.^[16]

1
Humidifiers are an easy fix for dry skin. If the air in your home is really dry, your skin might be paying the price. Set up a humidifier somewhere in your home, which will improve the air's moisture content overall.^[17]
- Experts recommend keeping your home's humidity somewhere around 30-50%.^[18]
- You can find humidifiers at big-name retailers, home goods stores, and online marketplaces.

1

Lots of sunlight can take a toll on your legs. To be safe, apply an even layer of moisturizing sunscreen all over your legs before heading outside.^[19]

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Dehydration can lead to dry, tight skin. To prevent this, try drinking 8 glasses of water each day. While you won't see results overnight, drinking more water may help improve your skin in the long run.^[20]

1
Waxing lasts longer than traditional shaving. Spread a layer of wax along a small portion of your legs. Then, press a cloth strip on top of the wax. After a couple of seconds, pull off the cloth strip to remove the wax.^[21]
- Waxing lasts longer than shaving, but it's definitely more painful.^[22]
- Experts don't advise waxing if you take or use isotretinoin, antibiotics, or tretinoin.

1
Laser removal eliminates leg hair after a few sessions. During a treatment, a doctor will target your body hair with lasers. Over several sessions, these lasers will thin out and eventually destroy the hair completely.^[23]
- Laser hair removal is a good option for permanent hair removal, but it'll take several sessions to see full results.
- Laser hair removal can be pretty pricey. A single session may cost almost $300.^[24]

1
Electrolysis permanently removes body hair. During the procedure, electrical probes permanently damage your hair follicles, so no more body hair grows back.^[25]
- Many clinics charge electrolysis treatments by the hour, or in 15- or 30-minute chunks.^[26]

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Question

How do I get shaving cream?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

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Question

Is it bad to use hair removal cream?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Expert Answer
Question

How can I make my hair not grow back the day after I shave?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

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Unfortunately, the results of shaving don't last very long. If you'd like a long-term solution, try removing your hair with body wax. If you don't mind spending a little extra money, laser hair removal and electrolysis are other options.
Question

My knees look really dry and they feel super rough. I apply cream everyday but that does nothing. What do I do?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

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Question

Is it safe to exfoliate both before and after I shave or will exfoliating afterwards irritate the skin?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

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It's best to exfoliate before you start shaving. This way, you'll get rid of all the dead skin cells before you start tackling your leg hair. Exfoliating after shaving isn't a great idea, and will most likely cause irritation.
Question

How can I make legs smoother?

Alicia Ramos is a licensed aesthetician and the owner of Smoothe Denver in Denver, Colorado. She received her license at the School of Botanical & Medical Aesthetics, with training in lashes, dermaplaning, waxing, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels, and now provides skin care solutions to hundreds of clients.

Skincare Professional

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Question

How to make your legs so smooth without exfoliating or shaving? Any techniques?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

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Waxing is definitely an option! You can find at-home waxing kits online, or at many big-name retail stores or beauty supply shops. You can also get electrolysis—this is the only way to make your legs completely hair-free.
Question

When exfoliating the legs, do you do it many days prior or right before you shave?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Expert Answer

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You can shave after exfoliating. Exfoliating can release ingrown hairs and remove skin build-up, which leads to a smoother shave. Just keep in mind that it might not be suitable for sensitive skin, since shaving is an exfoliation in itself.
Question

If I shave, how many days will my legs stay without hair?

It is different for different people, but usually between one and three days.
Question

How do I stop bleeding when I cut myself shaving?

Clean the cut in cold water and put on a band-aid, as well as antibacterial cream if you have it.

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Article SummaryX

To get smooth legs, start by using a loofah and exfoliating cream in the shower to remove dead skin cells. Next, grab a fresh razor, apply shaving cream, and shave up your legs, against the grain, to get the closest shave. Don't forget the areas around your ankles and knees! Then, rinse your legs with cool water, pat them dry, and follow up with a thick layer of lotion to keep your skin soft and hydrated! To explore other options like waxing and depilatory creams, read on!

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