Females: Sensitive skin: Electric razors for legs?

[LisaR]

Anyone use one to shave their legs? DD seems to have extremely sensitive legs. She is constantly itching them. There are some razor bumps but mostly she says they just itch. I've bought her shaving cream for sensitive skin, conditioner, and plain oatmeal soap. The oatmeal soap works best but she still itches. I've had her try really good razors and cheap disposable ones that she can toss every day. So far, nothing works. It is just her lower legs. I am wondering if an electric razor would be better? Do they do a good job on leg hair? Any other things I could have her try?

 

[Christine]

The shaving itself is taking the top layer of her own moisture off.

You actually can shave with hair conditioner. But that may not be enough. My lower legs can get VERY itchy (no rash, just dry and sensitive). I ended up buying a big tub of Cetaphil cream and I slather it on after each bath/shower/shave session. Keeps the itching down.

 

[arthuruscg]

Try Burt's Bees Natural Skin Care for Men Shave Creme, it has been the only product that I can use to shave with. I get razer burn and cuts very easily. The razer just glides over the skin, nothing else i have tried has come close.

Also, a lot of shaving cream/ gels / ect, have alcohol and other stuff that sterilizes to extend the shelf live, which drys out the skin.

I typically follow up with the Baby Bee Fragrance Free Lotion.

 

[HM]

Has she tried shaving under running water using no creams or gels? I've always found it works better for me that way and recently my DD16 said she'd also stopped using shaving creams and started doing like me and likes it better. I hope you find a solution!

 

[LisaR]

Has she tried shaving under running water using no creams or gels? I've always found it works better for me that way and recently my DD16 said she'd also stopped using shaving creams and started doing like me and likes it better. I hope you find a solution!

Thanks everyone!

She hasn't done this but I did just discover that she shaves first thing when she gets in the shower instead of shaving at the end of the shower when her pores have opened up with the warm water. I'll have her try all the things recommended. Something has to work!

 

[pixiewings71]

Trader Joe's has a great shaving cream, I much prefer it over others. It's a cream, mango scented and it works great. I have the same problem as your DD and I find the TJ shave cream is very helpful.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Two thoughts...

And inexperience young shaver might be using too much pressure, and actually scraping/irritating her legs.

Also, if this is the case, there can also be bacteria involved....

Perhaps helping show her how to shave more gently, slowly, carefully...
Perhaps an antibacterial cream...

Also, not all shave creams are created equal....
Many that are made for women... well, they suck.

I use one made by Gillette, who have historically specialized in good products for men. I am thinking maybe it is Satin Care???
It is a Gel.
Works wonderfully!

Also, the shavers that I have used that do not scrape and nic so much are the ones with the little guard wires. I think I have been using the purple Venus. In my experience, anyhow, those little verticle guard wires make a real difference.

Hope this helps!

 

[tiggger1]

I get very irritated from shaving. I use veet with aloe for sensitive skin. while i still get a little burning feeling, its never itchy and only lasts for 30 minutes or so... and only need to shave once or twice a week.....

 

[DaisyLynn]

Two thoughts...

And inexperience young shaver might be using too much pressure, and actually scraping/irritating her legs.

Also, if this is the case, there can also be bacteria involved....

Perhaps helping show her how to shave more gently, slowly, carefully...
Perhaps an antibacterial cream...

Also, not all shave creams are created equal....
Many that are made for women... well, they suck.

I use one made by Gillette, who have historically specialized in good products for men. I am thinking maybe it is Satin Care???
It is a Gel.
Works wonderfully!

Also, the shavers that I have used that do not scrape and nic so much are the ones with the little guard wires. I think I have been using the purple Venus. In my experience, anyhow, those little verticle guard wires make a real difference.

Hope this helps!

Hear, hear! That is the truth!

 

[badblackpug]

I have terrible skin. All of my skin care products are Aveeno, I can't tolerate anything scented at all. I break out easily.

1st get a very good razor. Not a disposable. The refills are expensive, but it's worth it. I use the Schick Hydo. It has 5 blades. I shower 1st using a loofah. I use Aveeno daily moisturizing body wash. I also use this to lather with for shaving.

After shaving apply hydrocortisone cream.

 

[englishteacha]

Have you tried the Schick intuition with the built in "soap"? I have the sensitive skin version. I have super sensitive skin and those don't bother me. They are expensive, though, so I don't use them for every shave. I use a Schick double blade razor with LOTS of Dove (for sensitive skin) soap lathered up. I also have to moisturize or I get itchy.

I second the poster who said she might be shaving too hard. A friend of mine in high school always had problems with her legs after shaving, and she found that by shaving much more gently, her problems were lessened considerably. She thought she had to "feel" the blades scraping off the hair...ouch.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks again for all the great ideas! I have had her try a few of the things mentioned like the Aveeno products, the razors with the gels, and different shaving creams/gels. But there are a few things mentioned that she hasn't tried yet!

This is a new thing for her. She has been shaving for years and it wasn't an issue before or if it was, it was very mild. I do recall her saying on occasion in the past that she had some irritation but it was minor and went away with hydro-cortisone cream or regular lotion. Now it seems to be a daily thing. She had her yearly physical in February and I had her show the doctor and the doctor felt it was from shaving. She doesn't have any rash/irritation anywhere else but the shin and calf area. Darn kids!

 

[flyergrad09]

Have you tried the Schick intuition with the built in "soap"? I have the sensitive skin version. I have super sensitive skin and those don't bother me. They are expensive, though, so I don't use them for every shave. I use a Schick double blade razor with LOTS of Dove (for sensitive skin) soap lathered up. I also have to moisturize or I get itchy.

I second the poster who said she might be shaving too hard. A friend of mine in high school always had problems with her legs after shaving, and she found that by shaving much more gently, her problems were lessened considerably. She thought she had to "feel" the blades scraping off the hair...ouch.

I used to use the Schick intuition, but the built-in soap always fell off after one shave for me. I've used Venus Breeze razors for years, and they're the same concept, but they work better for me. I used to get horrible razor burn all over my legs! Now as long as I use Venus Breeze at the absolute very end of my shower and I slather on Vaseline body lotion (I use the kind with cocoa butter) as soon as I'm out of the shower, I'm good.

Your DD should also make sure she's moisturizing her legs on days she doesn't shave too. Softening the skin might help with the irritation.

 

[shortbun]

I can't use anything scented. I use my conditioner. Electric razor works for a touch up but not that well.

 

[snowy76]

A few ideas:

She should throw out the razor after each use or carefully dry the blades on a clean towel. A wet razor might harbor bacteria that's getting into her pores.

This one took me forever to get used to - make sure she's shaving DOWN in the direction of the hair growth (with the grain, so to speak). You mentioned it's only on the lower leg - is she wearing socks in that area right after shaving - she might be irritating her skin.

I immediately use Aveeno lotion or one of the Bath and Body Works body butters after shaving in the winter; aloe if it's summer (Banana Boat makes a great spray aloe that isn't greasy at all and smells wonderful, and it feels cool going on).

The red bumps are a daily thing? Is she shaving daily? Might be overkill!

 

[sanu]

I would recommend you to use Panasonic Ladies Electric Shaver. It provides you the smooth and close shave. On the top of that, the shave will be painless.