# Leg Shaving - For Whose Benefit? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 12, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712 "2003-08-12T20:06:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/41 "2003-08-13T18:49:44Z")
I feel about having smooth legs the way my husband and his favorite aunt feel about living in a clean house: it’s nice and all, but there’s a lot of other stuff I’d rather be doing with my time. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/42 "2003-08-13T18:53:10Z")
I shave because I like to be smooth - plus those moisturizing shaving gels smell so GOOD in the shower!! I’m with AngelicGemma on the question of the Gilette Venus… that thing is the devil. The shower looked like a crime scene after the first time I used it! And now they’re making it in shocking pink, to lure a new bunch of girls to their destruction! Now, I have a cousin who waxes her ARMS… if you’re going to take it that far, why not just bathe in Nair every few weeks? Ewwwww. ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/43 "2003-08-13T18:56:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Omnipresent \* > \*\*I’m a leg man myself so, yes, I need her legs to be silky smooth. > > I don’t want to run my tongue from around her inner ankle all the up to just behind the knee, gradually moving up the inner thigh to “the end of the rainbow”, and have it feel like I’m eaching a peach that dropped to the floor. \*\* Are you single?😃 _nah didnt think so_ ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/44 "2003-08-13T19:01:30Z")
Oh yeah… I like my Venus. Cant say I LOVE itb ut it beatds the hell outta the one I used before… maybe coz mine is blue it doesn’t have the need to bite me. Or maybe its all the lotion I put on my legs. ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/45 "2003-08-13T19:07:03Z")
Apparently I am only typing in Martian today. My apologies for that very badly spelled post. ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/46 "2003-08-13T19:28:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Q.N. Jones \* > \*\*Obviously your legs don’t produce as much hair as mine do, and don’t have the “tricky spots” on the knees and ankles that invariably catch on a razor’s edge. “A few quick swipes with a razor” would leave me needing a blood transfusion. I cringe in phantom pain just at reading your words. \*\* I only shave every 2 or 3 days, and I dont even bother with shaving cream or gel, just water. As long as my legs are wet, they shave smooth and no cuts. It is much faster if you only use water, i.e wet legs. Try getting a different razor, I use a double bladed one. Some razors are better than others, much better. It took me a while to find a brand that stayed sharp for a month so one swipe does it, and yet never gave me a nick. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/47 "2003-08-13T19:56:35Z")
Is “Venus” a ladies version of “Mach III,” which women have been borrowing from their partners since they came out? ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/48 "2003-08-13T20:02:02Z")
I use the Venus razor with reckless abandon and have never once gotten so much as a nick from it. (I use shaving gel, not soap.) I shave armpits every shower, legs about every other day in the summer and once a week or so in the winter. If I’m just wearing shorts or a skirt I don’t worry about above the knee too much, the hair there is blonde and fine and not very noticeable. I would shave at this schedule if I was with a guy or not. SO does not seem to complain much, but I usually don’t let it get too out of hand. ---
**Author:** ![Sonyadora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sonyadora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sonyadora)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/49 "2003-08-13T20:26:47Z")
I stopped shaving when I realized that I was going through a big pain in the ass just to please a societal expectation. I love my hairy legs. 😃 Curiously, all but a few of the negative comments I’ve received over the years (and there have been FAR fewer than I feared in high school when I quit) have been from women, not men. I always thought women started shaving because men found it attractive…now men tell me they don’t care, or that they like it. Why did shaving become so popular with Westerners then? The bikini area is a no, I find the idea of not having hair there creepy. I hate armpit hair, so it gets shaved every other day. Frankly I think of that as a hygiene issue, it keeps the pits less sweaty. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/50 "2003-08-13T20:40:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Q.N. Jones \* > I’ve known plenty of women whose leg hair was so light that I didn’t notice it one way or another, and I think they’re crazy to shave, but hey, whatever they want to do is their business. That would be me, I have no hair at all on my thighs, and very little on my calves, the hair that does grow on my legs is on the shins and sides of my shins. It’s darker, but not very long, and very VERY sparse. I have no idea why I shave them. I’ve been doing it since I was about 13 because that’s what girls do. 😃 In my career, I never wear dresses, and lately I haven’t even worn dresses to go out. So really, I could get away with not shaving my legs, no problem. I guess, like others who’ve posted here, I just like the smooth way it looks and feels. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/51 "2003-08-13T20:59:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Susanann \* > **As long as my legs are wet, they shave smooth and no cuts. It is much faster if you only use water, i.e wet legs.** Yeah, maybe for you. For me, this doesn’t work. I tried shaving every which way–I shaved for 12 years–but it was always a disaster. Water only, water and soap, baby oil, shaving cream, shaving gel, shaving lotion, special shaving soap, shaving dry, etc. > [@](#): > > \*\*Try getting a different razor, I use a double bladed one. Some razors are better than others, much better. It took me a while to find a brand that stayed sharp for a month so one swipe does it, and yet never gave me a nick. \*\* Tried about 457 different kinds of razors, too. Tried them sharp, medium, and dull. Still bled everywhere and always missed huge spots. I suspect the problem is not the equipment, but user error. 🙂 Anyway, I’ve had my legs professionally waxed for the last 4 years, and it’s so wonderful that I will never, ever go back to shaving. ---
**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/52 "2003-08-13T21:24:01Z")
I have to shave everyday…I simply can’t sleep feeling stubbly. Now, if I let it grow out, I’m sure I wouldn’t mind it at all. But I shave because I’m not brave enough to weather the stares and comments. **Auntie Em** I am utterly speechless at your Brazilian waxing skill. That’s amazing that you can do it yourself. I had it done for me once, but its kind of uncomfortable when a complete stranger asks you to assume “doggy-style” (her words) for her. I can’t imagine the gymnastics involved to wax back there. What do you use to wax? ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/53 "2003-08-13T21:39:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by auntie em \* > \*\*… because she had come to the conclusion that men who like that sort of thing must have some sort of “Little Girl” fetish. :dubious: \*\* Either that or we don’t like [bezoars](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=bezoar) rolling around in our tummies. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/54 "2003-08-14T01:42:11Z")
I tell her it doesn’t matter, but she keeps doing it anyway (waxing, actually), so I don’t think it’s for my benefit. When _I_ do it, though, it’s definitely for my own benefit. Changing bandages is a hell of a lot easier when you’re not ripping out a few dozen hairs each time. ---
**Author:** ![eeclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/49beb7/32.png) [@eeclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eeclem)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/55 "2003-08-14T12:42:53Z")
> [@](#): > > Is “Venus” a ladies version of “Mach III,” which women have been borrowing from their partners since they came out? **cowgirl** - i think it’s similiar with the three blades and all, but it’s shaped differently, the handle is easier to hold in the shower and the head is flat and wide with little rubber “bumpers” on them. I have to say i am truly shocked at the bad reviews, my shower used to resemble the set of **Psycho** before. soooo much easier now, but i do use lots of soap/shave gel ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/56 "2003-08-14T12:50:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ouisey \* > \*\* **Auntie Em** I am utterly speechless at your Brazilian waxing skill. That’s amazing that you can do it yourself. I had it done for me once, but its kind of uncomfortable when a complete stranger asks you to assume “doggy-style” (her words) for her. > > I can’t imagine the gymnastics involved to wax back there. What do you use to wax? \*\* **Ouisey** , believe me–yoga classes help. 😃 _~Warning: Entering into **TMI Territory** ~_ I use the Nair roll-on sugaring wax. They recently changed the formula, and I do NOT approve (it’s all perfumey-smelling now, and if a glob lands on your finger, you can no longer just lick it off, because it tastes hideous these days), but it gets the job done. Really, all you need is a floor-length mirror and strong abs. I lie on my back on the floor in front of the mirror on the back of my bedroom door and hike my legs up and out. I lift my head up so’s I can see what’s going on down there, and 5-10 minutes later, I’m baby smooth, and have abs of steel. 😉 Oh, and **SkipMagic**. . . no comment, Mr. Shoulder Tufts. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/57 "2003-08-14T15:18:05Z")
Guess what I’m doing next weekend…😉 ! It looks like I’ll be getting some muscle tone in my tummy. ---
**Author:** ![Breezy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@Breezy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Breezy)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/58 "2003-08-14T16:39:00Z")
I think I’m going to try it too… haha I have a full length mirror! Why not?! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/59 "2003-08-14T19:23:10Z")
Well, hell, as long as we’re still in TMI Town . . . If you have a particularly–ahem–high buttcrack, you might need to stand up, turn your back to the mirror, bend over (looking through your legs into the mirror) and spread your cheeks to make sure you got all the way to the, um . . . end of your crack. Right at the part where my lower back starts turning into ass, I tend to miss a few hairs, and they’re easier to get standing up. I can’t believe I’m posting this. ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712/60 "2003-08-14T20:06:06Z")
I got a Venus randomly in the mail a couple months ago. It’s made shaving suck less (before I was using a crappy old disposable thing), but I still don’t do it often. I only shave my legs if other people are going to see them (aside from, like, when I’m changing in gym, because that’s only for a few seconds and they shouldn’t be looking anyway), which isn’t often. I’m going to have to shave this weekend, because band camp starts next week and so I’ll be wearing shorts for the first time this summer (modesty complex) and I don’t need the freshmen laughing at me for being gross and hairy. 😛 I wish it weren’t a cultural expectation, but what can I do? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leg-shaving-for-whose-benefit/194712.md?page=4)