Pimples After Shaving The Legs

Shaving the legs is designed to make the skin appear smoother, softer and hair free. Unfortunately, several conditions such as shaving too closely or using a dull razor blade can cause ingrown hairs and ugly red pimples to erupt on the legs. Because this condition can be painful and embarrassing, it is important to understand what causes it and how it can be treated.

Symptoms

The Mayo Clinic explains that pimples or ingrown hairs can occur anywhere you shave, including the legs. These pimples can form as hard, solid bumps that are filled with pus. In addition, these bumps may itch, show evidence of an embedded hair and cause the skin surrounding them to darken or redden. These razor bumps are sensitive to the touch and are susceptible to infection.

Causes

Dr. Evelyn Placek in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women," explains pimples that occur after shaving are the result of skin irritation. Shaving peels off the top layer of skin. The body recognizes this as damage to skin tissue and increases blood flow to the area to encourage healing, resulting in dilated blood vessels and redness. In addition, sometimes hair can regrow back into the hair follicle. In an attempt to expel this foreign body the immune system attacks it, causing inflammation and swelling.

Treatments

Apply a 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment to your legs after you shave. This will help constrict the blood vessels in the legs and reduce irritation and redness. Follow up with a moisturizing lotion to keep legs itch-free and smooth. If razor pimples are chronic, smooth on an acne medication that contains 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. Not only can this help minimize the appearance of the pimple, it can help keep it from returning.

Prevention

The Go Ask Alice! website suggests soaking your legs or waiting until the end of a shower before you shave. The hot water and steam helps open up pores so that you won't have to press as hard on the skin to get a close shave. Be sure that you use a moisturizing shaving gel or cream that can create a barrier between your skin and the razor. In addition, using a new razor every time you shave can help prevent nicks and ingrown hairs.

Warnings

See a doctor if pimples on the legs do not go away after a few days or show any signs of infection such as swelling, throbbing or feeling hot to the touch. Repeatedly shaving over reoccurring ingrown hairs will only exacerbate the condition and make it worse. Chronic ingrown hairs that are left untreated can cause infection as the result of scratching, skin discoloration and permanent scars.