How to Stop Itching After Shaving Legs
It’s that time of the week again that you have been dreading – time to shave your legs! This should be a simple task but you know that once you’ve finished with the razor, the inevitable redness and itching will start and it irritates you just thinking about it!
If this sounds familiar, I’ve got you covered! I know the potential irritation we can get after shaving our legs and it can set you up in the wrong way for the day! Don’t worry though – there are several ways to combat post-shaving itch or razor burn and I explore them below in this guide on how to stop itching after shaving legs.
Now, some people may have already found a solution – waxing. And yes, waxing can be an effective alternative to shaving, but not everyone wants to wax so I’m only concentrating on those of us who prefer to shave our legs!
Why do we Get Itchy Legs After Shaving?
Before we jump into how to stop itching after shaving, we need to understand why this happens! Why is it that every time we use a razor on our legs, the inevitable redness and itching transpires? The reasons are pretty simple when you think about it and there are a number of factors that can cause razor burn (which is essentially itching and small red bumps on the follicles) including:
- Using a dull or blunted razor blade.
- Sensitive skin.
- Using products with an excess of harsh chemicals.
- Bad shaving techniques.
- Dry shaving.
Oftentimes, the tools and products you use are counterproductive and they may be causing itching. For example, maybe you are using an old razor or shaving gel that simply doesn’t agree with your skin.
You also have to consider the process. You are actively dragging a blade across your skin. If this isn’t done correctly, you can harm your skin and cause irritation which leads to itching. This could be a bad razor technique, dry shaving, or if you have particularly sensitive skin, for example.
How to Stop Itching After Shaving Legs: Six Simple Methods
So, we can see why we itch after shaving our legs, but how do we stop it? Don’t worry – it is possible and there are some simple things you can do including proper razor maintenance, using a cold compress, and things like moisturiser which I explain below.
Checking your razor blade
Prevention is the best form of protection as the saying goes and this holds true for razor burn too! Have you been using the same razor for weeks on end? Or maybe you are only using cheap disposable BIC razors?
This can be the issue and I advise first looking at your shaving tools. Oftentimes, itching after shaving your legs can be avoided simply by checking your razor blade. If you are shaving your legs with a dull blade, it will drag across your skin and pull the hairs as opposed to cutting them cleanly.
It’s this pulling and rough shaving experience that contributes to itching. Therefore, either invest in a quality, sharp razor, or make sure that you change the blades regularly. A sharp razor blade will glide smoothly across your skin and cause less irritation, thus reducing the chances of razor burn.
Quick relief with a cold compress
If you want immediate relief before you can apply topical treatments, a cold compress is the best option. The process is simple – get a wet cloth soaked in cold water, or an ice pack and apply this directly to your legs for around 10 minutes (or until you notice the itching stop).
The cold water will constrict the pores and blood vessels on your skin and help reduce any itching and redness. Consider doing this immediately after you shave and then apply an Aloe Vera gel or moisturiser for a more long-lasting effect.
Soothing Aloe Vera gel
We all know what the Aloe plant looks like but some people may not know the natural properties it has, and how effective it can be to sooth razor burn. Aloe Vera has two parts – the outer plant material, and the inner clear gel.
The plant material is actually used in the production latex, while the gel is used as a topical moisturiser and as topical medication. This has been used for hundreds of years and it will provide fantastic soothing for your itching legs and also help reduce any redness.
You can get Aloe Vera moisturisers that should be applied after shaving, but many brands also produce shaving cream or gel that contains aloe that can help reduce the chance of razor burn.
Calming oatmeal bath
Perhaps you have sensitive skin and it’s difficult to avoid razor burn even with a sharp blade and the right shaving gel? In instances like this, dermatologists suggest taking more drastic measures and enjoying a calming oatmeal bath.
Now, I get it – an oatmeal bath doesn’t sound particularly appealing, but you are not getting into a bath full of thick porridge! Instead, you blend store-bought oatmeal into a fine powder and add it into a lukewarm bath.
The water should turn milky and it’s recommended to add 1 cup of oatmeal powder into your bathwater. Soaking in this solution for around 10-15 minutes will sooth any itching. It should also leave your skin feeling incredibly soft.
Just make sure that you test oatmeal water first as some people can have a reaction too it.
Gentle moisturising creams
Itching is primarily cause by blunt razors or dry skin. When your skin lacks moisture and is dry, the razor will feel harsher on your skin and cause irritation easier.
We can combat this by using moisturising creams regularly to keep your legs hydrated. There are many different types of moisturiser but I advise looking for ones that contain plenty of Vitamin E.
I also suggest avoiding scented or alcohol-based moisturisers as these can contribute to itching and redness if you have sensitive skin.
Consider using moisturiser as part of your beauty regime and apply it gently to your legs after shaving. The moisturiser will help smooth any itching, but also keep your legs hydrated for next time you shave.
Avoiding harsh chemicals
If you have sensitive skin, harsh chemicals and alcohol-based products can be counterproductive. Look at the shaving gel you are using – this could be causing issues and it could be time to switch to a different brand.
You can find many brands that produce shaving cream and moisturiser for people with sensitive skin.
Always use shaving cream or gel
I get that sometimes you simply don’t have the time to apply shaving cream or gel, but it’s imperative if you want to stop itching. Pulling a razor over dry skin is one of the quickest ways to get razor burn and excessive itching.
This is because the surface of your skin becomes broken and dry and the blade of the razor is more likely to nick and pull and make your skin red and sore. Where possible, always use shaving cream or shaving gel and at the bare minimum, shave your legs in the shower or bath so that your skin is at least hydrated with water.
Refine your shaving technique
Lastly, when looking at how to stop itching after shaving legs, we can’t forget about our shaving technique! This is something I have had to learn and I made many mistakes for years. But if you don’t know, you don’t know!
The first thing to consider is the direction you shave. Ideally, you should shave with the grain i.e. in the direction your hair grows. This helps reduce razor burn and itching as opposed to shaving against the grain that increases the risk of nicks and cuts.
Secondly, make sure that your razor is free of hair and debris. Ideally, you should rinse your razor after every stroke to remove any debris and small hairs as these can clog up your blade and reduce its glide over your skin.
Take Care of Your Skin With These Simple Shaving Tips
I hope you have found this guide on how to stop itching after shaving legs useful. I know how irritating this can be and having sore legs for the day can be a downer! As you can see though, this is easily avoidable providing you have the right tools and take care of your skin.
Start by using a sharp razor and refining your leg-shaving technique as this helps reduce irritation and redness in the first place. If you do still get a little itching, this can be soothed with things like Aloe Vera gel, moisturisers, and a simple cold compress.
After this, your legs should look not only look incredible, but also feel smooth, soft, and itch-free!
Leg Shaving FAQs
Simple razor burn which is the most common type of shaving irritation goes away after 2-3 days. However, if you have razor bump this can take up to two weeks to go away. Razor bump can be indicative of other issues though such as skin problems.
Vaseline can help with shaving itch as it does have some moisturising properties. However, products like Aloe Vera gel are far more effective and will help reduce itching faster and more effectively.
Waxing is known to give longer-lasting results as you are pulling hairs out from the root, as opposed to at the surface when shaving. However, waxing is more painful and many women prefer using a razor for a more pleasant experience.
Make sure you use a sharp razor first as this should help prevent itching in the first place. If you still get itching, a cold compress can help together with skin care like Aloe Vera gel, moisturisers, and even something soothing like an oatmeal bath.
Conclusion - Phew!
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