 | Kim McIntosh, a former graduate of Xenon Int'l. School of Hair Design serves as the school’s Director and is a shareholder in the business. She holds a Cosmetology, Esthetics and Instructor's license in Kansas and Nebraska. She has worked behind the chair and managed some of the most prominent salons in the Wichita area. As an educator, her primary goal has been to provide the beauty industry with successful licensed professionals. Having served in the past as Second Vice-President on the Board of Directors for the National Cosmetology Association of Kansas, Kim is currently a Director on the national board for the American Association of Cosmetology Schools. You may contact Kim at (316) 943-5516. |
Beauty & Fashion
2005-07-01 10:35:00
Legs - getting a close shave
ANSWER: Leg shaving is a luxury that often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. And then, when we do find the time to shave, we're trying to hurry and often suffer the nicks and cuts of the dreaded razor. There is no real trick to shaving. We all know how to do it, but not everyone knows how to get the best results and the softest legs. The following tips are the basics of a great, smooth shave: • Finding a razor that works well for your skin, given the pressure you use while shaving, the texture of your skin, and the density of hair growth, takes some experimentation. Stripes are good. No single type of razor works well for everyone, though the newer triple blades seem to work for most. After finding the razor that works best for you, be sure to change the blade frequently-dull razors make for poor shaving results. • It is essential for your legs to be wet for at least two or three minutes before starting; wet hair is soft, pliable, and easier to cut. Nothing is as irritating or chafing as shaving dry or slightly damp legs. However, skin should not be soaked (as you might experience in a bathtub) because the skin swells up around the hair follicles, thus preventing a close shave. • Prior to shaving, use a mild scrub to help keep flaky skin at a minimum (which means you can get a closer shave). • When it comes to shaving creams or gels, (male or female) those that contain emollients, which are usually identified as being good for sensitive skin, work perfectly on legs. The only real difference in products targeted specifically to men or women is the type of fragrance, and fragrance-free is best for the least risk of irritation anyway. • Avoid shaving products that contain irritants (such as alcohol, menthol, and peppermint). Irritating ingredients can cause red bumps and ingrown hairs. If you find yourself without shaving cream in the shower, use pH balanced shampoo or hair conditioner. This is far easier on the legs than shaving with a bar soap which can be drying. • For best results, shave against the growth of hair using careful strokes and applying even pressure. • After you are done, never use a loofah or washcloth. The action of shaving has already exfoliated your skin and further rubbing can cause irritation. • At night apply a moisturizer, and during the day, if your legs are going to be exposed to sun, apply a moisturizer with sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) that contains the UVA-protecting ingredients avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. Contrary to popular belief, shaving does not change the texture, color, or rate of hair growth. Hair density is genetically and hormonally determined; it has nothing to do with what you do topically to the skin, unless you traumatically damage the hair follicle with injury or burns.
