If your legs still bear the brunt of not having it waxed over the last few weeks since most beauty salons are closed, then you might want to consider getting a shaver. We understand how shaving might not achieve the same results as waxing, especially when you have to deal with problems like rashes and ingrown hair — but when done the right way you’ll be able to avoid experiencing what we call ‘strawberry legs‘.

WHAT ARE STRAWBERRY LEGS?

For the unacquainted, strawberry legs are caused by clogged pores from shaving, that form black dots on your skin. It’s usually rough when you run your fingers down your legs and it resembles the look of, well, a strawberry, duh. In fact, these dark spots are actually open comedones that trap excess oil, dirt and bacteria – and when mixed with air and melanin it causes the skin to form dark spots.

CAUSES

Strawberry legs are mainly caused by a few conditions, some of which include folliculitis, Keratosis pilaris (KP) and more commonly, ingrown hairs. Here’s a brief overview of each condition and how it leads to strawberry legs:

Folliculitis

If you start to notice red bumps or whiteheads on your legs, it might be caused by the bacteria or fungus that gets trapped in your follicle. Folliculitis can also be caused by friction sustained from tight-wearing clothes.

KERATOSIS PILARIS

The hair that grows on your skin is made of keratin and it sheds on a daily basis. And at times, when it sheds, it gets trapped and plugs your hair follicles causing bumps that may get inflamed. Keratosis Pilaris is usually hereditary and are more common amongst people who have sensitive, eczema-prone skin.

INGROWN HAIRS

Ingrown hairs have grown to be a concerning issue when dealing with waxing or shaving hair on any parts of your body. Anything which causes the hair to be broken off unevenly with a sharp tip or caused by lack of natural exfoliation can spur the growth of ingrown hairs.

TREATMENT

Now that you’ve identified the cause of your strawberry legs, then finding the right treatment to clear them once and for all should be your next step. Here are some tips to know about before your next clean shave.

1. APPLY A CREAM OR LOTION WITH SALICYLIC ACID

If the cause of your strawberry legs is from Keratosis Pilaris, it’s important to note that you should avoid scrubbing your legs with a scrub or a loofah to get rid of all the bumps. This is because, by doing so, you might actually cause your skin to get more inflamed than it already is — which eventually leads to irritation, redness and it might just even worsen your skin’s condition.

To counter this, you should reach out for a gentle cleanser and a cream or a lotion that’s formulated with salicylic acid — which can help treat acne conditions that may contribute to the appearance of strawberry legs.

By diligently applying this cream or lotion, you’ll find that the keratin that plugs your skin will slowly dissolve and get better as time passes. Most importantly, you have to ensure that you make it a habit because bumps might reappear if it’s not applied routinely.

2. CHANGING YOUR SHAVER REGULARLY

As with folliculitis, it’s important to note that you have to switch out your razors regularly and avoid shaving with a dull razor. This is because when done with a dull one, the razor causes more nicks, cuts and skin irritation.

3. WARM SHOWERS

Before shaving your legs, it’s also important to have a warm shower to soften the hair on your legs. And when we say warm showers, we mean it. If you do, however, have a hot shower instead, you might cause your skin to be dryer than before, which may result in irritation after shaving.

4. USING A SHAVING CREAM

Using soap doesn’t suffice if you’re looking for a clean and close shave. We recommend using EOS Shave Cream. Providing deep, long-lasting moisture, this shaving cream is packed with natural conditioning oils, shea butter, and anti-oxidant vitamins C and E to provide 24 hours of skin-softening moisture — it leaves you with irresistibly soft, smooth skin all day.

5. THE RIGHT SHAVING TECHNIQUE

When it comes to shaving, many are still unsure about which direction you should shave your legs.

Fact is: you should always shave in the direction of hair growth, and not against it. Other important factors to take note while shaving also includes not stretching your skin too much while shaving and to avoid passing over the same area more than once — to avoid irritating the skin.

6. EXFOLIATION IS KEY

If there’s one important rule to live by when it comes to shaving: always exfoliate. By doing so, you’re able to avoid getting dark spots on your legs and it helps to polish away dead skin cells and impurities revealing clearer and softer skin. Not to mention it also helps to reduce the occurrence of strawberry legs too.