URGENT.....ANOTHER question re shaving legs/gel razors/myths

[guest^]

Hey mommas.

I really did try to make some ground on the other shaving thread-no time!

So! DD is almost 12, and wants to shave her legs. No problem. With the exception of the bikini area, I have always just shaved to above my knees. Why? I believed someone in college, who told me that if I shaved the hair(fur!) on my thighs, it would grow in thicker and coarser. My thighs remain unshaven to this day, and there IS a huge difference between the fur on my upper vs. lower legs. Is that just me, some wierd truth, or some wierd myth?

On the Gel razors....do you still use soap or shaving cream while using this type of razor?

Thanks! DD starts school tomorrow, and wants this done TODAY!

TIA!!

mp

[lifeguard]

I don't use soap or shaving cream or anything. I started using nothing to "lubricate" when working at the pool & having to shave in a hurry. I found it worked just fine without it so I just continued.

I will admit it's not as nice & luxurious feeling as using a fancy shaving gel/creme - if you like that part of the experience.

[MillingNome]

I just use hair conditioner. Works like a charm.

[captain crunchy]

Shaving does not "make" your hair grow in coarser or thicker. That is a total myth. Sometimes it can *appear* to be more coarse because when you shave, you are cutting the hair bluntly -- as opposed to how the end of a hair is naturally tapered -- think of when you cut off your dead ends -- your hair appears thinner and stringy at the ends but when you trim it looks thicker at the bottom because it is blunt -- however, it is not actually thicker. The same reason you forearm is often hairier than your upper arm is why below your knees is often hairier than your thighs. It is just how it is for most people, not because of shaving or not.

There are chemicals in those razors with the built in soap thingies so I wouldn't use that. I would use an all natural shaving gel or pure vegetable glycerine works well too.

[dawningmama]

IME, the only razor w/ gel that works is the Intuition, which I no longer use because it's too dang bulky to do the bikini area. I'm using the Venus now and I like it. It gives a nice close shave and the head swivels, which is good for my knees.

I use shave gel. I really like Aveeno but will use skintimate or even dh's edge if I need to. Conditioner also works well.

I also only shave to right above my knee. And then the bikini area. I don't have much hair on my thighs. But I think that's the natural state. I mean, most men have much more and much coarser hair on their lower legs than their upper thighs.

[guest^]

Thanks for the tips Mommas!!!

captain crunchy-that makes a lot of sense! duh!

off to the store.....:

[SAHDS]

I just use soap. If I shave them without, I get a horrible burning sensation that lasts all day.

[milehighmonkeys]

I used to shave my entire legs. I only shave to above the knee now. The hair on my thighs is very thin and hardly visible and always has been. The thing about the "thicker" hair is that when you shave, you cut the hair at the thickest part. When it begins to grow out, it is more noticeable. If you wax, when the hair grows back, it starts with the soft tapered end. Does that make any sense? The shaved hair will eventually fall out as the growth cycles in the follicle and be replaced by a hair that is tapered if you stop shaving.

[Kyamo]

I think its normal for thigh hair to be thinner/less than lower leg hair. Mine is like that, even though I shaved my whole legs when I used to shave. So is my sisters.

[Mamja]

I like the intuition razor, but it's so expensive.

I shave my entire legs (when I'm not lazy) and I actually have more noticeable hair on my thighs than my lower legs!