How do you get smooth legs?

[Chocwocdoodah]

I used to get my legs waxed now and then (usually just before summer when I could wear trousers while I was growing the hair long enough) and was always pretty pleased with the results. However the past 3 times I've had waxes (at different salons) I've had stubble within a few days rather than smoothness for a few weeks as you'd expect from a wax. It's like the hair breaks rather than pulls out from the root.

So how can I get smooth legs? If I shave, I always have that plucked chicken look - where you can see dots where the hairs are just below the surface IYSWIM. I see women all the time with lovely, smooth non-dotty legs - how do they do it??!

I have a lumea and it def doesn't hurt! The sensation can be a bit weird, but that's the flash of light covered with like a 'ping' and the smell of burning if you haven't removed all the hair there first! No pain though, and you can always start on a lower setting.

Men's mach3 razor, sensitive shave gel and at home IPL.

The IPL is time consuming and I would disagree with the pain comments. I find it quite uncomfortable- like a hot elastic band being flicked at the skin, but then I do use it on level 5 and have high contrast body hair/skin (pale skin, quite dark hair). It is time consuming on legs because you need to cover every square cm of skin with a flash and the little window on the devices is v small, so it takes time to get around.

The Philips one (Lumea) needs to be done every 2 weeks for approx 8 weeks (I did it for 10, I think, because my hair growth took longer to stop/slow). Then it needs a maintenance blast every 12 weeks to keep the follicles in their dormant growth stage.

It is an expensive initial outlay and the battery life is an irritation on mine. I can't do both legs on one charge, for e.g. I can do underarms and bikini line in one charge though. That said, they are brilliant (if you have the 'right' skin and hair contrast) and I expect the newer ones are even better, mine is a couple of years old.

I bought mine when boots were doing triple points so that was quite good. Look for similar deals to soften the blow of the ££££ cost.

Okay, ladies. You are enabling me! I need to buy a Lumea. Off to add it to the ongoing list of makeup/beauty stuff I have to buy.

Nom, I also use a mens mach 3 razor. I have found them better than a womens' razor. What type of sensitive shave gel do you use or just any brand? I use grapeseed oil or just body wash/Dove soap if I run out of grape seed oil.

I almost bought one last year, it was on offer for £100, I put it in my trolley whilst googling it and realized that my super freckly covered legs and the Lumea were not comparable! I was so so so sad!!!!

I think it's mostly genetic. I never have any dots on my legs and I'm lazy about hair removal. I just have very sparse, pale leg hairs and small follicles (or something).

I use a mans razor and conditioner to shave, once I'm finished turn off the shower and whilst my legs are still wet cover them in baby oil, once thats sunk in a bit I use a moisturiser. Leaves my legs so smooth

I can't seem to shave my legs in the shower without getting razor burn! It's a real problem for me!

Scrub, lather, shave with a good quality razor that's always sharp, moisture and moisture between shaves too. Drink tons of water.

Yep, definitely a Lumea. Use it every week for a few months then hardly ever again. No dots where the hair used to be, just nice smooth legs

If you've been happy with the Lumea can you please let me know which model you have?
I'm thinking of investing in one but am a bit confused at the discrepancy in prices.

For instance Boots has this one at £255
www.boots.com/philips-lumea-prestige-sc2005-00-ipl-hair-removal-system-for-body-10200693
but this one is £420
www.boots.com/philips-lumea-prestige-BRI95000-ipl-hair-removal-device-for-body-and-face-10230497

Is the more expensive one more effective?!

Go for one with the most flashes of the light just because it means it will last longer. Some of them have changeable heads where you can attach a smaller one for facial use so if you wouldn't use that, don't bother paying more for it.

Thanks Tubby
I'm not very hairy after years of epilating as a teenager and in my 20's, but it'd be good to be totally hair free!
Also... a slightly delicate question. I know you can use it on your bikini line, but does that include the undercarriage bit? Could I essentially give myself a Brazilian with it?

Sorry to slightly derail your thread Chocwoc!

There are also ones which automatically flash as you move to he next area of skin without you pressing the button. Mine has a tache face bit but not the slide and flash (or whatever you call it) function. It was about £350, down from £450 but like I say that was a couple of years ago now and it has probably been superseded.

raindrops, I like the Gillette sensitive (white can, green/blue writing). I find it less likely to give me itchy legs. I'm reasonably sensitive to fragrance in body lotions and stuff. It still gives good glide though and you don't use loads.

lady, in answer to your delicate q, yes you can. It stings though. Take a couple of ibuprofen half an hour before!

Thanks nom! I guess it can't be much worse than waxing haha!

Waxing has the virtue of 3 or 4 short, sharp shocks and then it's over. IPL's small window covers significantly less acreage per application than wax does, so there are more short, sharp shocks to the pound. It seems to be better from an ingrown hair point of view though (and no 'chicken skin').