Being able to figure out how to stop ingrown hairs on legs and itchiness after shaving isn’t the most appealing topic, but an important one. Here are some tips I learned through plenty of trial and error.
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Why to Learn How to Stop Ingrown Hairs
I kept getting ingrown leg hairs that would itch so badly I’d end up clawing at myself when I was sleeping and wake up with open wounds! Once that happened I not only had itchy legs but also had painful legs with a bunch of owies all over them. I knew something had to change.
What I Tried First
First, I tried to shave more often. My thought was that if the hair didn’t have enough time to grow back and become ingrown, then my problems would be over.
The only thing was that I have really sensitive skin. My skin is so sensitive that I can’t even use a regular razor, I have to use an electric razor. Using an electric razor daily or every other day really upset my skin. Therefore, that wouldn’t work.
Next Try
The next thing I tried was to shave less frequently. I’d shave my legs every week or so (it was winter in Minnesota). Unfortunately, I found that even with not shaving as often, I still had itchy skin and ingrown hairs.
Research to the Rescue
Finally, I decided to research my problem, which is odd it took so long since usually, that’s what I do first. I read that wearing tight-fitting clothing can lead to ingrown hairs. Ding, Ding! That’s exactly what was doing it. I would tend to shave and then I’d put leggings on. No wonder this always happened!!
I also have found that not wearing socks or wearing ankle socks works better than taller socks for a few days following shaving.
By the way, below is my all time favorite electric razor. I’ve used a lot of different ones over the past 20+ years I’ve been shaving and this one is my favorite!
Low Noise Close Shaving, Hypoallergenic Painless to Use, Wet and Dry Use, LED Light, USB quick recharging and Cordless Operation.
Take it One Further
In addition to no longer wearing leggings for a few days after shaving, I also started using an exfoliating dry brush before I shave and a few days after I shave. This helps get my legs ready to be shaven before shaving and afterward helps ensure that ingrown hairs don’t occur. Using the brush in addition to not wearing leggings for a few days following shaving has really turned things around!
I use the brush by rubbing it in small circles on my legs, counterclockwise for 10 or so seconds in each area. This also helps on days like today when I am two days after shaving and I forgot to exfoliate my legs this morning. Now my legs itch and using the exfoliating brush not only reduces the itchiness of my mistake but also helps ensure it won’t come back hours later.
As an aside, I had an unfortunate experience with an epilator when I was a teenager that has led to a whole patch of ingrown hairs that has happened for about 20 years now. The exfoliating dry brush is the ONLY thing that has helped with this. Finally, some relief!!
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Moisturization
The last important step is to moisturize after shaving and for a few days afterward. The best moisturizer I’ve found that really sinks into my skin is jojoba oil, like I’ve written about before. Right after I shower I dab my legs dry with a towel, rub some jojoba oil between my hands, and apply it to my legs. I generally let it sink in for 10 or so minutes before putting pants on. Sometimes if I’m concerned it hasn’t soaked in enough I dab my legs with a tissue to get the excess oil off.
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Weather
I have to say, during the cold Minnesota winters, I shave about once a week because I just don’t have the time, don’t care, and neither does my husband. Now that it’s getting warmer out, I’m excited to shave more often and see how well this works when I shave every few days.
Update: it worked really well all summer. As long as I exfoliated with the brush, didn’t wear tight leggings that inhibited the growth of new hair, and created ingrown hairs, I didn’t have any issues after shaving my legs. Yay!
As a mom of identical twins and a son two years older, I have gained invaluable experience in the realm, and chaos, of parenting. With a Master's Degree and Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology, I spent years as a school psychologist, helping children navigate through their educational and emotional challenges. Now as a stay at home mom and professional blogger, I combine my areas of expertise to help you in your parenting journey.