itchy legs! - Women's Health Message Board

omalll · 08-15-2005, 07:39 AM

ive had itchy legs from the very first time i started shaving, which was... jeez, 12 or 13 years ago? and i know why they itch too - its the hair growing back. no matter what i use (nair, etc) it still makes them itch. ive tried waxing once, ouch.. no way.
im completely out of ideas, other than just letting it grow, which is kinda gross in our culture. ive tried using lotion too, but since its not dry skin thats the cause, it doesnt do anything.
does anyone else have this problem? i hate shaving my legs now because i know that in a day or two when it starts growing back, i'll be itching all the time... its awful! and if i shave everyday, my skin gets far too dry.

malibu82 · 08-15-2005, 08:48 AM

Hi omall, what a pain having itchy legs all the time. Unfortunately I'm not sure that there's that much you can do about it. You've obviously tried moisterising your legs well, but you say its not dry skin.
Make sure you exfoliate well before shaving, shave with cold water to soothe your legs straight away.
I don't think there's any need to shave every day unless you need to wear a skirt every day. I would cut it down to twice a week at most if it causes you that much irritation.

analog2000 · 08-15-2005, 09:53 AM

What type of razor are you using? In general, cheap disposables are no good.

Do you get any type or rash or irritation, or just the itch?

tdot · 08-15-2005, 01:17 PM

You know what, I used to experience this too. When I was younger (am 25 now, female), whenever my hair would get beyond 3-4 days growth my legs would be crazy itchy! So for the last like 5-10 years I've been shaving my legs everyday, sometimes every other day and after shaving I ALWAYS use moisturizing lotion. I actually moisturize my whole body everyday and I've found that by doing both those things, I don't get itchy anymore.

Sorry, not a great solution, but it works.

Tyoka · 08-15-2005, 01:21 PM

I thought you were suppose to shave with hot water because it makes the skin looser and opens up the pores/hair folicals or whatever. Then when you're done you were suppose to use cold water to rinse to close them. Of course I could be wrong, that was for shaving the face not legs.

I also thought you were suppose to exfoliate after you shave, but then again I've never had anything tell me either way. I've just heard you're suppose to exfoliate 2 times a week.

Anyway, I have no idea how to help. If you didn't mind having hair on your legs, you could just do that. Trust me, PLENTY of guys find that attractive, I've known quite a few. Those are the kind of guys that also dislike make-up and hair-do's, they like girls the way they were naturally made. But either way, it should be your choice to shave or not, be happy with yourself before you worry about living up to "standards".