Exfoliation is the removal of flaky, dead skin cells from the skin. It is very important to exfoliate your legs before shaving, as this helps prevent ingrown hairs. Hence, knowing how to exfoliate your legs properly is quite a good start for your exfoliation process. This article will give you more insight on how to exfoliate legs with ingrown hairs before shaving, either with a loofah or with a body scrub. Have fun reading!
Overview
The legs are the part of your body where exfoliating is most beneficial. Our legs are susceptible to a variety of slight skin problems, which, if ignored or poorly treated, can result in scarring and unappealing rough patches. Your legs appear smoother and more polished after exfoliating.
How to Exfoliate Legs Before Shaving
Exfoliation enables you to obtain the smoothest shave. Shaving is a sort of manual exfoliation itself. As you use the blade to remove unwanted hair from the skin’s surface, it sloughs off any extra dead skin present on that upper layer of the skin.
Exfoliation helps get rid of those excessive dead skin cells at the top of your skin. Without it, your freshly shaved hairs are more likely to grow out freely. Here are ways to exfoliate your legs before shaving.
#1. Preparation
Gathering everything you’ll need to exfoliate your legs before shaving is the first stage of the procedure. A dry brush, your exfoliator product, a fresh towel, and access to water are required.
#2. Dry brush
Next, you have to remove the dead skin cells from the upper layer of your skin, using your dry brush to massage your legs in a circular motion. Apply a little pressure to the brush without rubbing it so hard that it hurts or irritates the skin.
After using the brush on your legs, rinse the dead skin cells off with lukewarm water. Then use a towel to dry your legs.
#3. Clean thoroughly
Wash your legs thoroughly to get rid of any bacteria or germs. Enter the shower or bath to remove any remaining dead skin cells that the dry brush couldn’t remove. This can be done with soap or body wash.
#4. Exfoliate
Exfoliate your skin gently using a method that suits your skin. Choose an exfoliating technique that is most effective for your legs. Use a sponge and a chemical exfoliator if you have dry or sensitive skin. Use a mechanical exfoliant if your skin is thicker and more resilient. If you frequently get dark stains on your skin after scars or bug bites, avoid using either type.
This indicates that exfoliating makes your skin more vulnerable to dark spots. Exfoliating injured skin will only aggravate it; avoid doing so. Furthermore, this is done in order to get rid of any bacteria or germs. Thus, opening your pores and enabling a deeper clean.
#5. Always Moisturize after exfoliation
When you’re done exfoliating your legs, moisturize them. The outer layer of your skin can be shed immediately after physical exfoliation, and this will lead to an excessive loss of water from your skin.
Therefore, you have to find a product that is suitable for your skin. The type of moisturizer you should use depends on your skin type.
#6. Shave
You can now start shaving, but keep in mind that the best electric shaver will help you get the required results. When you want to buy one, choose an electric razor with a solid brand reputation. It is always preferable to seek advice from friends if you are still unsure about your purchase decisions.
In conclusion, exfoliating your legs daily is not a good idea. Avoid over-exfoliating as it can cause the skin to become sensitive and red. Your legs shouldn’t feel raw or scraped after exfoliation; they should feel silky and smooth.
How to Exfoliate Legs with Ingrown Hairs
Hair that grows back into your skin is known as ingrown hair. People with coarse or curly hair may experience more ingrown hairs. It’s quite easy for hairs to grow back and re-enter your skin after you’ve removed them from your legs, and this can lead to inflammation there.
Furthermore, having ingrown hairs on your legs is typically nothing to worry about as proper exfoliation helps to prevent it. Try the following methods to exfoliate legs with ingrown hairs:
#1. Prepare the Skin
Firstly, have your bath with warm water as this will aid the skin in becoming softer. The hair can emerge from underneath more easily with the help of a heated compress.
#2. Exfoliate
The easiest and quickest method of exfoliation for ingrown hairs is with acids (such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic). Acids used in topical solutions serve to both prevent and treat ingrown hairs by loosening the top layer of skin cells. These acids are quite gentle and effective. Hence, it is advisable to use sunscreen thereafter because acids leave your skin more susceptible to sun damage.
You can also use a dry brush to exfoliate your legs with ingrown hairs. This type of physical exfoliation stops ingrown hairs from developing since you’re continually removing hair from the path and releasing tucked-under ingrown hairs.
#3. Grab the tweezers
Use tweezers to carefully remove hairs that aren’t too deeply embedded in the skin, but ensure not to pierce the skin or harm it. Additionally, the best option for treating and avoiding ingrown hairs is using good tweezers during your exfoliation process.
#4. Moisturize
Lastly, ensure you moisturize immediately after exfoliation using a product suitable for your skin type. Furthermore, avoid any form of heavy and thick moisturizer, as all of your exfoliating efforts can be thwarted when you use them. They can also block pores and make any ingrown hair issues worse. Therefore, use light solutions to keep your skin moisturized without feeling weighed down.
HOW TO EXFOLIATE LEGS WITH LOOFAH
This fibrous vegetable called loofah softens and swells like a sponge when it gets wet. The luffa plant yields the natural loofah you use in your bathroom. It belongs to the same genus as cucumbers, gourds, and pumpkins. The luffa plant develops into an annual vine with flowers. The pollinated blooms produce round, green fruits that eventually mature into cellulose fiber-filled seed pods. The outer skin is peeled off to reveal the “loofah” inside of these fruits. Meanwhile, it is safe to exfoliate your legs with loofah because it’s practically good for all types of skin
A loofah sponge can also be used to exfoliate legs, though very delicate skin may find it too abrasive. Here are some ways to exfoliate your legs with loofah:
#1. Prepare your skin
Wet your body with warm water while in the shower or bath. The skin responds better when the skin is prepped with warm water.
#2. Wet the loofah
After that, soak the loofah in warm water. The loofah will become softer the more water you add. The substance gets harder as you let it dry. This enables you to select your preferred scrubbing texture. The loofah can be used by itself with water, with soap, or even with our body scrubs.
#3. Start scrubbing gently
Use the loofah to gently scrub your legs while taking your time. In order to properly exfoliate your legs, use a loofah in little, circular motions, as this will assist in removing dead skin cells. Don’t scrub too hard or violently because there is no benefit in doing so. Your skin will only suffer minor abrasions as a result, leading to skin irritation.
#4. Rinse properly
Rinse your skin well with warm water. This is done in order to ensure that all of the dead skin cells are rinsed off while taking your time to do so. Hence, your pores will be sealed off, and you will feel awake and renewed after this.
# 5. Moisturize
After rinsing off, always ensure to moisturize your legs so that your skin won’t dry out so easily.
How to Exfoliate Your Legs
We’ve taken a thorough approach in writing this leg exfoliating guide. Both artificial and natural products used for exfoliation are covered here. But remember that you might not have to complete them all. For instance, you might want to skip the second step if you have dry skin that is prone to irritation.
Here are ways to exfoliate your legs in your own leisure time, by following the various ways:
#1. Dry brushing
Dry brushing is also a way to exfoliate your legs in your comfort zone. It is done without any products. Hence, you can do it by utilizing a natural-bristle bath or shower brush. You can move the brush upward in long, smooth strokes as you move your legs.
However, avoid the area or lightly lower the pressure you’re giving to the brush if you have sensitive skin on your legs, as this may result in bruising or discomfort.
Dry brushing can be done just before a shower. The dead skin cells can then be washed off once you’re finished by rinsing properly.
#2. Exfoliate using a sponge or any DIY body scrub
You can exfoliate using any DIY scrub like the brown sugar and olive oil mix. To prevent this exfoliating scrub from being washed away by the water, start by putting one leg up on the tub’s side. Next, work the scrub in circular motions on your leg. Apply a little pressure to your legs in order to improve circulation. Don’t forget to cover every part of your leg with the product.
After that, use water to wash the product off your leg. Repeat the process by supporting the opposite leg on the tub’s side. Once you have finished exfoliating your legs, dry them off with a clean towel.
#3. Moisturize after exfoliation
The core purpose of exfoliation is to remove the old, dead skin cells to make room for the growth of new skin. Your legs will look fantastic after exfoliating because of this. Depending on your skin type, moisturize your skin as frequently as you can with a paraben-free, chemical-free body butter after exfoliation.
Takeaway
Exfoliation is the act of removing dead, flaky skin cells. When learning how to exfoliate your legs, you will quickly learn the benefits. For instance, when you exfoliate your legs and remove all that dead skin, it lowers your risk of developing ingrown hairs on your legs. Leg exfoliation also boosts the circulation in your legs, which can reduce the appearance of cellulite. In other words, exfoliating your legs makes you feel more confident when wearing those short, flirty skirts, or really, anything that shows your legs. The point is, that confidence is priceless.
How to Exfoliate Legs FAQs
Should I Exfoliate my legs before Shaving?
Exfoliating should be your first step when thinking about how to shave your legs. Use a good body scrub or a loofah to help slough off dead, dry skin on a regular basis to prepare your skin for a fine shave.
Does exfoliating prevent ingrown hairs?
Exfoliating regularly stops the skin from covering ingrown hairs. Hair that grows sideways into the skin or curls back can be avoided by exfoliating.
When Should I Exfoliate?
You can exfoliate your legs once to twice a week. However, bear in mind that your skin type will determine how frequently you should exfoliate your legs. For those with oily skin, once or twice a week is acceptable.
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