Men shaving legs?

Hair Removal Methods Shaving/Trimming
#101

Hi RJC

A tip you might find usefull if you use the Coolskin is to shave wet and using soap as a lubricant for this razor. I have been trying out some new methods and because this razor is fully submersible I found this method to give a very close shave, comparable to a blade razor.

Regards
Stuart

Stuart,

Thanks for the tips. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews on the Coolskin so I was wanting to hear from you how it worked for leg shaving. How long does it take to shave your legs with the Coolskin? And does using it wet make for a faster shave? I’ve read that it is very fast compared to other electrics.

When I use an electric, I’m still using the Activator and it works very well. I get almost blade close results now after two laser treatments on my entire legs. It takes a day to feel minor stubble. If I shave with the Venus blade, I don’t get any stubble until 2 days.

Veinlover is right about electrics. The skin needs to be totally dry for them to give a decent shave, unless you are using a wet/dry shaver. So that would be another advantage (no pun intended, the Coolskin used to be called the Advantage in the US) of the Coolskin. Whenever I travel to warmer climates with high humidity, I use a blade exclusively for body shaving. Even if I haven’t just lifted weights and am not sweaty, humidity will prevent an electric from giving a good shave.

That makes sense about the floating heads working better on the knees. With the Activator, I do have to make several passes on the knees to get a close shave. The Activator is very fast on the thighs and calves though.

Do you find any particular type of soap to work best with the Coolskin? I use Suave Bodywash for blade shaving. It’s cheap and does a great job. I’ve read that some shave gels cause the Coolskin to heat up.

Thanks to the laser treatments, a wider range of shavers should work very well now. When I use a blade, even the Quattro, it feels like I never even had hair on them! But I am still interested in anything that will give me that little bit extra closeness!

Summer is here, so it will be shaving and/or electrolysis from now until next fall. But the laser gave good enough results on my legs after two treatments that shaving yields better and longer lasting results. Time to get some sun!

RJC2001

#102

Will shaving with soap instead of traditional shaving cream or shaving gel result in less irritation and smoother skin? I have heard of people using soap at times, and even shampoo? What do you know about this RJC?

-Matt

#103

Hi RJC

It takes about 5 to 7 minutes to do both legs with the coolskin wet and using soap as a lubricant. I can do it dry in about 4 minutes, but this is not as close and some minor stubble will remain. So far I have not found any particular soap that works best with the coolskin and currently use “Lux” (Unilever product), which has been fine so far. I haven’t tried shaving gel yet, but I imagine viscous (thicker) fluids / gels should be avoided as this will slow the speed of the rotary heads and reduce effectiveness per pass. A layer of soap seems to be thin and good in lubricating both the skin and the razor heads.

Regards
Stuart

#104

Hi Matt

I see your question was addresed to RJC and sorry for jumping in, but I think I can answer some questions you asked.

Shaving gels and creams mostly carry aromatics or similar subtances. Many people are allergic to these substances, however nice they smell etc. The same is true of many soaps as well, but genearly standard brand names are free of allergenic components. My earlier posts referred to the lubricating effects of soap in a wet shaving environment and did not address allergies etc.

Most soaps will have lubricating effects, but if you are sensitive or allergic to aromatic substances it would be best to avoid gels and shaving creams of this nature.

Regards
Stuart

#105

I’ve actually found “SoftSoap” brand handsoap the best shaving aid of all. For me it’s better than Colgate shave cream, Barbasol, Envi aloe for Men, and a few others I actually compared it directly to. I’d do one leg with one, and the other leg with the Softsoap. The Softsoap always gave me less irritation, itching, fewer nicks, and was a whole lot cheaper. Plus it cleans in the process, and comes in huge refill size bottles for $4.85. Can’t beat that. There was this other one that I liked alot, it was this blue gel that squeezed out of a plastic clear tube. It was good, but would be a pain to buy for daily use. Especially since in the shower it can rinse off too quickly. Also I’ve learned to avoid anything in a steel can. I hate those rust rings.

#106

Will shaving with soap instead of traditional shaving cream or shaving gel result in less irritation and smoother skin? I have heard of people using soap at times, and even shampoo? What do you know about this RJC?

-Matt

The bodywash type soaps seem to do very well. Usually it will say on the back of the bottle if it is suitable for shaving. Suave works very well as do several of the Dove formulas. They do seem to result in less irritation. They rinse off easier and don’t make as much of a mess as shave gel.

RJC2001

#107

Thanks for all the tips, Stuart and Mantaray. Right now I use electrics for dry shaving and blades in the shower. The Coolskin seems worth looking into. I have not had much luck with rotaries on my beard in the past, but rotaries are better than they used to be. My beard hairs are falling out in clumps this week after being lasered, so my beard shave will get much quicker. My beard used to be like a wire brush. It would take 20-25 minutes to shave. I’m down to 5-7 minutes now.

RJC2001

#108 
  Hi, yes I do shave on a regular basis, but I do it every two days. My leg hair was'nt that thick, and my legs stay smooth for at least two days. I'm amazed that it only takes me about 10 minutes to do both legs. I used to take about 20-25 minutes to trim them with the trimmers. This is much better, and they don't really look any different. I've already got a great tan, which would have taken me longer with the hair on my legs. I really think this trend will continue, cause I've seen guys checking out my legs. I know they're not looking because they like what they see, just that maybe they'll try it now. I was totally blown away that I've seen more guys going hairless. Working at an amusement park, you see people in shorts all day, and I'm just curious to see what percentage of guys are taking off their leg hair. My co workers don't seem to even notice my legs are shaved, and I've been on some coasters with a couple of male co workers. They have'nt said a word, and there's not much room on these rides, so I know they've seen my legs are hairless. It does feel strange when a guy with hairy legs sits right beside you, and his hairy legs brush up against my smooth legs. Well, I just wanted to say how well things are going, and I really like my new look.
#109

I’ve actually reached the point where unshaved legs look dirty to me, especailly if they have dark, curly hair. I actually have no idea why women like men with leg hair, I’ve had it brushed against me too, and it does not feel that nice. Smooth legs against smooth ones feel much better. The only thing with smooth legs is they look much better tan. But, as you say, they tan easier.

#110

Hey all, I own the Cool Skin 7775X which I use on my face (am trying on my body little at a time). I love the feeling of my legs and butt smooth! However, I am getting these awful red bumps on the top of my leg where it meets my butt. This drives me nuts! I had been using a str8 edge razor and shaving gel, and afterwards I use either Gold Bond powder (sometimes will use massage oil instead but not often). Would the electric razor give me less irritation? Should I use something other than the Walgreens shaving creme?

I love the feeling of a smooth butt but hate the next day when I have red bumps all over! Help!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

#111

Hi tuvock

It is amazing how when you finally “take the plunge” and shave smooth on your legs that nobody says anything. They do notice sometimes and I know what you mean when you say they check it out, but it’s only because they also think it looks good and are considering trying it out also.

When I play golf and sit in a cart I also have times when some other guys hairy legs brush against mine and it only feels strange at first. Once you are into smooth legs totally you won’t even notice this, because your look will be totally normal to you.

I have had lots of guys discretely asking me if it takes long to do, or “does it itch” and how do I shave and how often. All these guys have said they would like to try it as well, and all of them feel the same inhibitions we all felt before going smooth. Most of them also passed a compliment on the muscle definition it shows having shaved legs.

This clearly says to me that a lot of guys like the look and that means more men will go for it. If one thinks about it logically, what’s really the difference? All I can say is good athletic appearance and great comfort, but nothing socially wrong at all. When I had a bad bike crash a couple of years ago and was in hospital for a while the female nurses really admired my lower leg definition and it was assumed normal that I shaved.

Most guys will come to realise that shaving their legs looks and feels much better, and I think quite soon.

Lastly if you use an electric, try shaving daily for a while. It does save time and 4 to 5 minutes is all you need.

Regards
Stuart

#112

Hi Jonathan

It’s not always easy getting your skin to co-operate! I had problems for the first few months with my inner thighs. I tried hypoallergenic creams, which helped, but there were still bumps etc. I think some of this is due to the cyclic growth of hair and only persistance will make it go away.

One thing I can suggest is to use a warm damp facecloth after shaving, just to sooth the skin and add a bit of moisture. It’s possible the other products you are using are irritating the newly shaved skin more than they are helping.

Regards
Stuart

#113

Hey all, I own the Cool Skin 7775X which I use on my face (am trying on my body little at a time). I love the feeling of my legs and butt smooth! However, I am getting these awful red bumps on the top of my leg where it meets my butt. This drives me nuts! I had been using a str8 edge razor and shaving gel, and afterwards I use either Gold Bond powder (sometimes will use massage oil instead but not often). Would the electric razor give me less irritation? Should I use something other than the Walgreens shaving creme?

I love the feeling of a smooth butt but hate the next day when I have red bumps all over! Help!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

The Braun electrics are the least likely to cause irritation. My favorite is the Activator, and it isn’t as noisy as the Syncro. Plus it gives a very close shave.

If you prefer a blade, the Gillette Venus Vibrance or M3 Power shave very close and cause little to no irritation. they have a battery and motor that make the blades oscillate to lift the hairs for a closer shave. These are the best blades I have ever used.

There is also a product called Tend Skin, that will help reduce and prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

I just use a trimmer on my butt, mostly due to a fear of ingrown hairs. When I get ingrowns, I have to dig them out with a needle or they get really bad. Needless to say that would be difficult to do there. Fortunately I don’t have a lot of butt hair. Before I had my chest lasered, I used to get really bad ingrown hairs. My practitioner said she could remove most ingrown hairs, but if they are really bad the doctor will have to remove them. Then things start to get expensive!

RJC2001

#114

Hi All

With surface infection and ingrowns, try to use a good antibacterial if you need to dig them out. Like RJC says doctors are expensive, but a simple precaution like this will eliminate wasting time & money. In SA there is a particularly good topical surface preperation known as “Bactroban” which is available without prescription, but is also normally prescribed by most doctors for skin injuries like scrapes, cuts and in this case infected hair folicales.

It may be known by a different name elsewhere (I hate this marketing trend), but a good pharmacist will be able to identify the actives on the net and give you the equivilent.

Regards
Stuart

#115

Hi All

With surface infection and ingrowns, try to use a good antibacterial if you need to dig them out. Like RJC says doctors are expensive, but a simple precaution like this will eliminate wasting time & money. In SA there is a particularly good topical surface preperation known as “Bactroban” which is available without prescription, but is also normally prescribed by most doctors for skin injuries like scrapes, cuts and in this case infected hair folicales.

It may be known by a different name elsewhere (I hate this marketing trend), but a good pharmacist will be able to identify the actives on the net and give you the equivilent.

Regards
Stuart

Good advice! I forgot about the anti-bacterial part. If you’re going to be doing any ingrown hair removal, get some 91% alcohol from Walmart or any pharmacy. The 99% (hard to find) is too strong for skin, but you can sterilize instruments with it. Be sure and sterilize the needle with the alcohol before you use it. Also, sterilize the area around the ingrown before and after the ingrown removal. A fine sewing needle is good to use. My practitioner gave me a lance to use, which is even better.

If an ingrown is really bad, put some Tend Skin on it and leave it alone for awhile. For really bad ones, where you cannot see the hair, it may take a week or two for the Tend Skin to bring it to the surface.

RJC2001

#116

Hey everybody, this is Tuvock, but I changed my name. Anyway, I’m going back to having hair on my legs, it’s just not worth it to me to keep shaving my legs. I’ve let em go now for a week, and it’s growing back. Not thick or anything, just as it was before. I’ve got really fine hair on my legs, it’s a little dark, but I do have dark hair on my head. The sun really burns my legs now, so they always look beat red. I’ve used SPF 50 to keep them from burning, but it does’nt do any good. Last summer when I worked outside, the sun gave me a nice dark tan on my legs, and the hairs turned more blonde, so they did’nt even show up much. I guess I’m of the belief that guys should have hair on their legs. Sorry dudes, I’m going back to my hairy legs. You all can keep shaving your legs, I see nothing wrong with it, but it’s just not for me. Later!

#117

I think you are the first person I ever saw who went back to having hair after shaving, but if you are not happy, that is the beauty of hair, it always grows back. I have not had more problems burning without hair than with it, and find my skin tans much nicer without hair, but again people are different. Also, maybe you had a lot more hair than I did, so it made more of a screen from the sun for you. I agree that tan skin and bleached hair looks much nicer than pale skin and dark hair, so perhaps the summer is a good time to leave your legs natural. See how it goes, and let us know. You may find you think you want the hair back, but don’t like it when you get it… Just keep us informed, OK.

#118

Leg hair, if it’s fine, is more tolerable than chest and back hair. A thick coat of fur on the chest is unbearable in the summer. Still though I would not want to go back to having leg hair. I can’t totally go back as I have had two laser treatments on my legs and the hair is probably about 40-50% gone.

RJC2001

#119

Well there is no problem with leg hair as I can see. I also had spells where I went back to hairy legs, but at the end I always tended towards the smooth look. This is a simple personal choice, and as Veinlover says, hair grows back. Like RJC I have also had laser so I can’t go completely back, but I don’t think I will ever want to. The way my legs look now suits me completely, more than hair ever could add.

Regards
Stuart

#120

Hey everybody! I’ve got about 60% of my leg hair back, and you may not believe it, but it’s coming back a little lighter in color, not as dark as it was before I shaved. Now that maybe due to the fact that I’m out in the sun everyday, but I’m pleased with how it looks. I just could’nt take how it felt against cloths. If I wore pants, it itched like crazy. My legs also looked like I had the measels, all those red dots. Now that my hair is growing back, they’ve returned to normal. You guys keep shaving your legs, cause it does look good on some guys, just not this one. No I won’t try shaving again, it just irritates my legs too much. I’m happy with hair on my legs, it’s really not a big deal with me. If I ride my bike and have a spill, I guess the hair will just have to get in the way. Guys with overly gross hairy legs should consider ways to reduce it, cause I’ve seen guys that look like bigfoot hairy, and that’s way more than a human should have. Since my leg hair is coming in more fine, and lighter in color, I don’t regret that I did shave my legs. I’ll keep posting on this site, and let you all know when my leg hair is done growing, which should be in a week or so. Gotta go.