Strawberry legs, we are all familiar with it. The ladies who struggle with it, at least. But no worries, I’ve got the solution. I’ll teach you how to master the power of your smooth thunder thighs!
the problem
Let me explain the cycle, after an endless struggle you finally learn how to shave your legs, (even though your mother warned you about the myth that shaving thickens the hair, which is not true). although the first time you shave you they might not appear, but after you get out of the shower and your skin dries, you notice these ‘enlarged’, clogged, annoying pores on your legs. Like bumps. Which most people describe as strawberry legs. No matter how much moisturizer and special body washes you use, they just won’t go away. and the dream of those super smooth legs seem unattainable.
But what if I told you, that that’s not how your skin just is, but it might be pores clogged with dead skin? You see, when you wash your skin with warm steaming water in the shower, they appear so smooth moisturized, but as they dry after the shower, your skin appears more dull and dry, cracked even. If you do use exfoliating gloves or a wash cloth in the shower, you wash away the dead skin too. which gives the feeling that your skin is lighter and can breathe better. Your skin instantly feels more soft, which is why this step is so important to keep your skin soft and moisturized. Because if you don’t exfoliate, it doesn’t matter what you do, there’s still dead skin cells there. And moisturizing AFTER exfoliating is the key to smooth skin. When you do wash your skin properly with a glove or cloth and then moisturize with an oil and/or moisturizer, it will make your skin as smooth as silk. Making sure your skin is exfoliated and fresh will enhance absorption. So no, you don’t need all kinds of scrubs and body butters, as this problem can be solved by gaming up your routine very simply.
So to summarize, let’s go over the steps.
- exfoliate
To ensure that there is no dead skin cells clogging your pores and sitting on top of your skin, exfoliate in the shower. This can be done with a washcloth, or an exfoliating glove (which also foams your soap/body wash like an African net sponge). You also have the kessa glove, prominent in Korean and Turkish (hammam) culture.
2. shave
Make sure that your razorblade is sharp and not old or dull for an ultra-smooth and clean shave. And I do not even have to warn you on this, but NEVER dry-shave. (this is not like using an electric trimmer or likewise devices) Dry shaving is using a razorblade without any type of foam or cream to protect your skin and make the razor glide smoothly. This can lead to really nasty cuts and irritate your skin. Always make sure that your skin is wet and has something like soap or cream to protect your skin barrier and avoid cuts. Also, another tip is to wait until your skin has been softened by the steam of warm water. (like 10 minutes after running under warm water) This will make sure your pores will open for a closer shave.
never be scared to ask for help or guidance from your mother or sister if you’re new to shaving or could use some guidance if you’re younger. Or any age, cause a real girl’s girl would always help a girl in need, right? Never too late to learn to do something right.
3.
moisturize
After your shower or bath, moisturize your skin while it is still damp. When you get out of the shower, your skin can start to naturally lose moist, and because of things like season-changes your skin can get really dry. So your skin should not be wet, (dry off excess water with a towel if still dripping wet) but while it is still damp after your bath or shower, apply a moisturizer or an oil. You can use rich and extra concentrated creams including cocoa butter or shea butter for extra moisture. You can even use old hand or face creams honestly, it does not matter as long as it does the job. You can use a moisturizer first, and then use a body oil (or natural alternatives like olive oil or jojoba oil) to seal the moisture like people do with vaseline (petroleum jelly), but this is way better for your skin. Something that I even do to make it more moisture rich is I mix my body lotion with olive oil in my hand, and then apply it to my legs. This makes your skin supper smooth, moisturized and soft. It literally eliminates dry skin in the winter and strawberry legs.
finish
Now put on your pyjamas and treat yourself well princess! (no really, covering your skin with clothes or pyjamas ensure that the moisture does not escape and your skin does not dry off, which can give those weird goose bumps to your skin).
So, there you have it. And to be honest, I just realized this whole thing I wrote is kind of inspired by hammam (Turkish bathhouse) culture. Or Moroccan hammam. Don’t get mad at me. We’re already fighting these Greeks for our right to baklava and I’m tired of it. And speaking of, i was talking with my mother about the origin of hammam culture and we just learned that there also used to be a hammam culture from bathhouses in the Roman empire, which were called Therma. We’re even getting educational here! But hey, all of this has nothing on the controversy of people who use a washcloth versus those who rub a soap-bar over their body with their hand and call it a day. We are no haters here and you can always up your game, no shame in that. The important thing is teaching each other without shaming.
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