Eight ways to get rid of strawberry legs

Those small black dots that appear on your legs, particularly after you’ve shaved are known as strawberry legs. 

According to Healthline, strawberry legs occur when oil, dirt and bacteria get caught in your skin’s pores or hair follicles. When you shave your legs, air oxidises the oil that gets trapped in your pores causing them to darken.

Ingrown hairs can also result in strawberry legs not to mention the pain. 

Below are steps you can take to get rid of strawberry legs.

1. Use a sharp razor

A sharp razor will ensure that you shave as close to your hair follicles as possible. Shaving can also help remove bacteria that could have otherwise accumulated in your pores.

To help prevent strawberry legs, change out your razor frequently to reduce chances of clogging up your pores.

2. Use a shaving cream 

When it’s time to shave, ensure you use a shaving cream. This will help the razor to move smoothly over your legs giving you a closer shave. It also helps keep your legs moisturised. Shaving when your skin is dry will result in nicks and cuts leading to scars and strawberry legs.

You can also use a shaving gel or light oil. Shaving while in the shower will help open up your pores and hair follicles, making shaving easier. Ensure that the shower is not too hot so that your skin doesn’t dry out. 

3. Shave in the direction your hair grows

Inasmuch as shaving against the grain ensures that you get a good shave, it can cause ingrown hairs. Reduce chances of this by shaving in the direction that your hair grows. 

4. Exfoliate

Invest in a good body scrub or dry brush and use it frequently. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, oil and dirt which can result in ingrown hairs and strawberry legs. Exfoliating also helps prevent infections and inflamed hair follicles.

5. Use aloe vera and shea butter after shaving

Once you’ve shaved, you need to sooth your skin and prevent scarring. 

Aside from treating a wide variety of skin conditions, aloe vera gel will stop any inflammation of your pores and hair follicles and also heal any cuts you might have. 

Shea butter is a great moisturiser that also has antibacterial properties.

6. Air dry your razors

Failing to clean and dry your razors properly can result in the accumulation of dirt and dead skin cells that lead to infections should you cut yourself. Clean your razor properly during and after each shave and let it air dry before storing it. Thus the next time you use it, you will get a cleaner shave and prevent strawberry legs.

7. Use over-the-counter treatments

Choose treatments that contain glycolic or salicylic acid which help keep your skin moisturised.

8. Use other hair removal methods

Skip out on shaving entirely and instead get a wax or laser hair removal to reduce chances of getting strawberry legs.