Wet Shaving vs Dry Shaving
While some people can’t live without their beloved electric razor, others swear by a manual razor for an ultra-smooth shave. But which shaving method is better for getting rid of unwanted hair and delivering silky smooth legs? And which is the more convenient, cost-effective option?
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of wet shaving and dry shaving. Then you can decide for yourself which shaving technique is best.
WET SHAVING
Shaving with a manual razor and shaving cream is the most popular hair removal method. No doubt because it’s easy, cost-effective, and quick. According to a survey, 70% of women use a razor for shaving.
All you need to do is wet your legs and apply a shaving cream or gel, like Truly’s Coco Cloud Shaving Butter. Then shave using a sharp razor blade, moving with gentle but steady strokes. Between strokes, wash away the foam from the blade, then continue until you’ve removed all leg hair. For best results, shave against the direction of hair growth as this will provide a smoother shave. Once you’ve finished, rinse your legs, pat them dry, and apply a nourishing moisturizer. Truly’s Blueberry Kush CBD Body Lotion is a great choice.
Wet shaving is also great for legs, armpits, and the bikini line. To maintain smooth, hair-free skin, shave every 2-3 days.
The Pros:
- Fast and effective
- Inexpensive
- Provides a close and smooth shave
- You can do it daily
The Cons:
- Regular upkeep
- It can cause cuts, razor burn, itching, and ingrown hairs if done incorrectly
DRY SHAVING
If you’re prone to cutting yourself when you use a manual razor, the electric razor is understandably your go-to hair removal tool. Dry shaving involves using an electronic razor to shave the legs and does not require wet skin to do it. It can be used on the legs, armpits, or bikini line.
One of the biggest benefits of dry shaving is that you can do it virtually anywhere. It’s not messy, it doesn’t involve water or shaving cream, and you don’t need to sit in the bathtub to do it. Another huge, huge benefit – its safety. Now we’re not saying wet shaving is dangerous, but if you’re a bit heavy handed with the razor you can easily cut yourself. With dry shaving, that’s not possible.
The main downside to electric shaving is that it doesn’t provide as close of a shave as wet shaving does. Plus, it requires more maintenance.
The Pros
- Safe
- Easy to use
- You can use it daily and practically anywhere
- No water or shaving cream required
The Cons
- It can be expensive, depending on the brand
- Doesn’t provide an ultra-close shave
- Regular upkeep
- It takes longer than wet shaving
WHICH IS THE BEST?
Clearly, the good old-fashioned method that is wet shaving wins this debate. While electric shaving offers a number of benefits like its versatility and safety, wet shaving provides a closer, smoother shave and takes less time than dry shaving. So if it’s silky smooth legs you’re after, the manual razor is your BFF. Still, that doesn’t mean you should dismiss dry shaving altogether. For in-between days, it’s a highly convenient tool for removing hair.
OTHER GREAT HAIR REMOVAL TECHNIQUES
Now that we’ve solved the wet shaving vs dry shaving debate, we’re going to give you a brief insight into other hair removal methods that you might want to consider. The wet shave might be the most popular, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to get super smooth legs.
Waxing
Ouch! Yes, that tends to be the first impression people get when they hear that word. Nevertheless, waxing is an effective hair removal method that lasts as long as six weeks. It involves spreading sticky wax on the skin, covering it with strips, then pulling them off one by one, removing the hair with them. Besides being painful, waxing can also cause redness and bumps. However, the results are long-lasting, which means little upkeep!
Depilatory Creams
The pain-free option, depilatory creams or lotions work by dissolving proteins that make up hair. You can use it on your legs, underarms, and your bikini area. Certain creams work better than others. For instance, some work well on the face, while others are better for coarse hair like that on the legs. How long it lasts also depends on the brand and the formula. Either way it can range from a couple of day to a couple of weeks. While this hair removal is pain-free, it can cause irritation when left on too long.
Laser
Laser hair removal is becoming a popular treatment for long-term hair reduction. Basically, laser works by destroying the roots with powerful beams of light. It can work anywhere on the body from your face to your arms to your legs. However, it does tend to work best on people with dark hair and light skin. It doesn’t work very well on blonde or white hair. The biggest benefit of laser hair removal is that it can last 6-12 months. You may need several treatments to see results, but after that, touchups will be infrequent. In terms of side effects, the main problem with laser is potential redness and swelling.
Overall, there are a variety of methods and treatments to get rid of unwanted hair. Whether it’s on your face or body, you have a number of options to choose from. Still, when it comes to the shaving method women favor, it remains to be the humble, old manual razor.
