Keeping unwanted hair under control can seem like a full-time job for any woman whose hair regrows at a rapid rate.
The rate at which hair regrows depends on the hair removal method being used.
Shaving is a popular hair removal method for many women, but just how often does the average woman shave her legs?
For women who prefer their legs to be silky-smooth, the average woman shaves about every one to three days.
Hair grows faster during the summer months, so women who prefer silky-smooth legs will likely shave daily because their legs could possibly be quite prickly by day three.
However, not all women desire legs that are ultra-smooth, so these women aren’t likely to shave as often.
Is it healthy for a woman to shave her pubic area?
The purpose of pubic hair is to minimize friction during sex as well as to keep dirt and debris from entering the genitals and potentially leading to infection.
Despite this fact, many experts feel that shaving the genitals is healthy for women for many different reasons.
Many women feel that going hairless down there reduces vaginal odor, and for others, keeping their genitals shaved enables more air to reach the area, reducing the risk of yeast infections.
The popularity of women shaving their pubic areas
According to a survey that was conducted in 2016, approximately 84% of American women regularly shave their pubic area.
One top reason that many women shave their pubic area is in order to make oral sex easier and more comfortable for their partners.
Others shave this area of their body simply because they enjoy having smoother genitals, as they feel cleaner and more appealing to many women and their partners.
Is shaving a healthy way of removing hair?
While shaving is one of the most common ways that both men and women use to remove unwanted hair from the body, it’s not necessarily healthy.
Shaving can sometimes cause irritation of the skin, especially when not done properly.
Shaving the skin can also cause nicks and cuts, which are more likely to happen when you use a dull razor.
Replacing your razor after every three uses is a good idea, because not only does skin, shaving cream residue, and hair accumulate inside the blades, but disposable razors quickly become dull.
Using an electric razor to shave your legs
If you invest in a high-quality electric razor, then you should be able to achieve a shave that is similar to what you would get with a disposable razor.
However, some cheaper, low-quality razors won’t get you the smoothness that you’re likely seeking.
The way you move the razor along your legs will determine the type of shave you can achieve as well, and if you want a professional-level shave, be sure to move the razor in a circular motion and feel your legs while shaving to be sure you haven’t missed.
Is shaving superior to waxing?
For various reasons, many women agree that waxing is actually superior to shaving, instead of the other way around.
Not only does a 45-minute once-a-month visit to the spa keep your skin smooth for up to a month, but done professionally, waxing can give you a smoother finish than even the smoothest shave can do.
However, waxing doesn’t come without its fair share of cons, as there are many possible side-effects of waxing, such as exposure to chemicals, and the hair that you want to be removed must be at least 1/4 of an inch before waxing can be effective.
Some alternate ways to keep your legs smooth
If you’re tired of shaving on nearly a daily basis, then there are alternatives in addition to waxing.
One way to keep your legs hair-free for a longer period of time than shaving is to use a depilatory cream or lotion.
Depilatory creams and lotions weaken the hairs in the follicles, allowing them to be easily wiped off after leaving the cream on the skin for a specified period of time.
Some women opt for more permanent ways of removing hair from their legs as well as other parts of their bodies.
These women often choose to undergo laser hair removal sessions, which is a semi-permanent way of controlling hair.
It’s necessary to go for a pre-determined number of visits to a clinic in which a technician will use a specialized laser to damage the hair follicles to prevent the regrowth of hair.
However, hair usually does grow back in the future after going for laser hair removal sessions, although thinner and finer, in most cases.
In these cases, the clinic will likely continue to provide treatments free of charge, as long as the client has completed the recommended number of sessions.
While many women rave about the effectiveness of laser hair removal, others flinch at the cost and the pain involved.
Is it a good idea for women to use men’s razors to shave their legs?
This is completely a matter of choice, but it’s perfectly fine if a woman opts to use a man’s razor to shave her legs.
Some claim that men’s disposable razors are superior to women’s and that they can get a closer shave that lasts longer.
However, there are also women who would never use men’s razors, because women’s razors are made specially to accommodate a woman’s curves, and therefore, they are more conducive to a better experience.
How to get a super-smooth shave
If you prefer to continue to shave, you likely want to decrease the frequency at which it’s necessary.
One way to do this is to ensure that you wet the area to be shaved with warm water ahead of time.
The warm water will soften the hair, making it easier to shave.
It’s also a good idea to exfoliate your skin prior to shaving.
There are products sold over the counter that are specifically made for exfoliating your skin to make shaving more effective.
It’s also a good idea to use shaving cream while you shave and glide the razor on your hair in the direction that it grows, as well as in the opposite direction.
Is it better to shave with soap or shaving cream?
It’s much better to shave with shaving cream, as it’s specially formulated to provide the proper moisture as well as a thick, cushioned layer of protection to the skin.
Soap, on the other hand, doesn’t provide the same protection that shaving cream does, although using soap is better than dry shaving.
There are special shaving soaps that function in the same manner as creams, although many women feel that these soaps are inferior to thick, protective shaving cream.
Is it okay to dry shave my legs?
Dry shaving your body, regardless of the area, is never recommended.
First of all, you won’t get the smoothest shave possible by shaving your legs while they’re dry.
Secondly, you are more likely to experience skin irritation, including nicks, rashes, and bumps.
Despite the recommendations regarding dry shaving, many women swear by it, especially if they’re in a hurry.
If you do decide to dry shave your legs, be sure to use a fresh razor and refrain from using scented lotions and creams afterward, which could irritate your freshly shaven legs.
Is it true that if a woman shaves her facial hair it will grow back thicker?
While many women likely believe that if they shave any hair that might grow on their faces that it will grow back thicker, this is completely untrue.
The hair will regrow the same level of thickness and the same color that it was initially.
However, if a woman shaves her face, like a man, she might experience some stubble as the hair regrows, so if she doesn’t want to experience rough stubble, then a woman should choose another method of removing hair from her face.
Does shaving damage your skin?
While shaving typically doesn’t damage your skin, if you’re pressing down too hard on the razor, it can cause cuts, nicks, and other irritations.
Some women feel the need to press down harder as they shave, as they feel they’ll get a closer shave, but this is far from the truth.
You can cause more damage than good by applying too much pressure to the razor.
Why do some disposable razors cause nicks, bumps, and irritation?
Some women naturally have more sensitive skin than others, so if you notice that certain razors (especially the super cheap ones) leave your skin feeling sore and irritated, you might want to ensure that you opt for sensitive skin razors.
Using a razor that is specially developed for sensitive skin will dramatically decrease the likelihood that you will experience these undesirable nicks, bumps, and irritation.
For many women, shaving their legs and other parts of their bodies is an absolute necessity so they can look and feel their absolute best at all times.
These women wouldn’t be caught dead with prickly legs that make them feel like cacti.
This is why the average woman shaves her legs every one to three days, although many other women opt to wax their legs, which lasts a lot longer.
