Permanent shaving rash, leg spots. HELP!

[GemmaCritical]

I have what looks like a permanent shaving rash on my calves. Its like little red, slightly raised bumpy spots - not particularly good pictures attached.

I'm really embarrassed about it but can't seem to shift it.

I was my calves every day. I moisturize them every day with either thick body cream (using SHE stuff at the moment) or with body oil (baby oil).

Once or twice a week, I'll give them a go with a flannel and some body polish type stuff. This reduces the redness a little but I don't want to do this too often for fear of making it worse in the long run.

I've tried sudocrem a couple of times but it hasn't helped.

I shave my legs maybe once a month. When I do, I always use foam and moisturize really well afterwards.

What can I do? I want to wear shorts in summer but I'm really embarrassed about the state of my legs 😢

Any thoughts are very, very gratefully received. Thank you.

I think it could be keratosis piliaris? Try a lotion containing urea?

This looks very much like a type of urticaria that I have!

My brain is mush currently so I've totally forgotten some details in your OP- but have some questions you might've already answered... I'll be back

This happened to me years ago, I have very sensitive skin and my legs could no longer tolerate shaving. I switched to monthly waxes instead.
After years of waxing, I can shave my legs again but not daily so waxing it is.

I have had this similar looking pattern 20 odd years and never known what was wrong. I've treated as if KP (chicken skin/strawberry skin) using either glycolic acid or salicylic acid. Whilst that's helped get rid of any possible ingrowns, it did nothing to shift the red spots.

I found it flares massively due to stress, both mental and physical. Physical stressors seem to be caffeine, heat, water, exercise and being in direct sunlight.

I am not suggesting you have these but perhaps look up urticaria / cholinergic / adrenergic / heat urticaria and see if it fits your experience?

I find that I can get a rash/flare after taking a shower & it tends to present with what I now know is called livedo reticularis. Do your legs go mottled at all?

I have a whole load of urticaria types (& dermatographia (sp?) and am definitely not a doctor just for full disclosure.

Thank you, lots to digest here!

@FatGirlSwim Do you have any recommendations for creams containing Urea?

I used to get this when I shaved. My advice is to stop shaving a start getting waxed.

Any moisturiser with acids will exfoliate; CeraVe SA is really good, also Eucerin.

Okay, I think I need to try waxing. I've never done it before. Any advice?

I use Cerave for my face but not tried it for my body yet.

Look at the ameliorate range it's really helped me with similar x

You might be sensitive to an ingredient in your moisturiser as that is what you are using every day. Look for something less heavy.

I would look at light exfoliation - something like a Korean exfoliating mitt or glove.

Cerave do a Smoothing Cleanser and a matching Smoothing Cream for just such situations. I use the cleanser and a mitt on my arms and legs.

Avoid heavy creams on your skin if it's becoming bumpy, it might be too thick and clogging up the follicles.

What razor are you using and how often do you change the blade ?

I've always used a men's Gillette Mach 3 and make sure to change the blade often enough not to get the dreaded rash

First few times you have it done it does hurt, but take a couple of paracetamol 30minutes before hand and it will make a big difference. Once you get used to it, it's actually almost relaxing lol

When my legs are like this I use a combination (not together, separate days) of ameliorate and Palmer's cocoa butter. I find the cocoa butter soothes it when it's red and the ameliorate helps on the other days. It's best not to use it it you are sunbathing though.
For first time waxing, go to a salon. I have a wet/dry epilator I use in the shower. Buy a decent one.

I used to get this, especially bikini line.
I use 'Skin Doctors Ingrown go' and it's solved the problem. It's a bit stingy when you put it on but it does stop the rash.

Thank you so much everyone. I have so many ideas from you all. I'll start giving some a try

I use a men's razor, Gillette something. I change the blade after three or four shaves so it's always very sharp. But I'm thinking that I'll change to waxing now. I'll have a look at salons near me that do waxing to get my started.