How do you shave strawberry legs?

When shaving your legs, the goal is to get smooth, hair-free skin. But, hair removal can sometimes lead to issues like little dark spots all over the legs, known as strawberry legs. The good news is those annoying spots aren’t permanent and can go away in time with the correct treatment.

What are strawberry legs?

“Strawberry legs is the description given to the appearance of dark spots in the skin evenly spaced in a pattern that corresponds to hair follicles or pores, thereby resembling the skin and seeds of a strawberry,” says Rachel Maiman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York. “When the pores become clogged with dead skin, oil, or debris and open, they’re exposed to the air, oxidize and turn dark,” explains Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology in New York.

What are the symptoms of strawberry legs?

Symptoms can be dependent on the various underlying causes. “With keratosis pilaris [a harmless skin condition that causes small bumps and rough, dry patches], you may see tiny, rough pink bumps. In more severe cases, burning and itching can sometimes occur,” says Dr. Maiman.“Folliculitis [when hair follicles become infected or inflamed] can be asymptomatic, painful, or itchy, depending on the cause, and it often produces both pink and pus-filled bumps. Bacterial folliculitis is more often painful than itchy (but certainly can be both), and fungal folliculitis is more classically itchy,” she adds.

How to treat and prevent strawberry legs

Depending on the cause and severity, strawberry legs can be treated either at home or by a trained professional. Ahead, find expert-approved skincare tips to prevent and treat strawberry legs.

Shave only in the direction of hair growth

Ingrown hairs occur when the hair follicle curves back in a reverse direction and into the skin. “This comes from waxing or shaving and can lead to red bumps as the hair follicle becomes inflamed due to how the hair is injured and how it grows back,” says Dr. Garshick.

Experts recommend changing your razor frequently (dull blades can cause irritation) and to shave in the direction that the hair is growing to minimize the potential for ingrown hairs. You should also only shave while your skin is damp and use a cream to reduce cuts and burns.

“To help prevent strawberry legs, you’ll need to ensure a proper shave. And you can do so using a shaving cream like this Eos shea butter pick,” advises Dr. Garshick. “The formula can help to reduce the friction between the skin and the razor blade, minimizing the potential for irritation or ingrown hairs.”

Wax properly

Waxing is another popular form of hair removal and it’s also a solution for preventing strawberry legs since it works to remove the hair by the root of the follicle, instead of just cutting it short. However, experts do warn that this technique can cause damage to the hair follicle, which can then allow dirt and bacteria to enter. So be sure to take your time when waxing your skin or make an appointment with a professional to get the job done.

Exfoliate regularly

“Gently exfoliate the skin on the legs to help eliminate dead skin cells. This can be with alpha hydroxy acids (chemical compounds that work to exfoliate) such as lactic, glycolic, or salicylic acid, which also helps to unclog the pores,” says Dr. Garshick.

“As someone who prefers a physical exfoliant, [Dove’s] gentle body wash effectively cleanses the skin while gently eliminating dead skin cells, helping to improve overall skin texture and tone. Unlike harsh scrubs, it won’t leave the skin feeling dry or irritated,” says Dr. Garshick.

Try dry brushing

Dry brushing is a basic method of exfoliation and involves using a soft-bristled brush to rub your skin with it in order to scrub off dead skin cells. Try this technique a few days before shaving to help with the exfoliation process. While there is currently no data to suggest that dry brushing can significantly prevent strawberry legs, it’s still a form of exfoliation, so smoothing out your skin could cause a brief improvement in the texture of your skin overall.

Moisturize the skin

“For keratosis pilaris, while exfoliating the dead skin cells is important, it’s also important to moisturize. Harsh scrubs can actually be irritating and make the skin more inflamed or red,” says Dr. Garshick. “It’s always good to remember to moisturize the skin as well to keep the skin soft and smooth.”

“[CeraVe’s] affordable moisturizing cream is formulated with salicylic acid (to break down dead skin) and lactic acid to exfoliate the skin and prevent blockages. It also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid (retains moisture) and calming niacinamide (soothes the skin),” says Dr. Maiman.

Use multi-acid skincare products

“Ingredients that break down keratin clumps are helpful for the many causes of strawberry legs. Agents include salicylic acid (to break down dead skin), lactic acid (to brighten), and urea (to smooth and soften), which can help clear out the plugged-up follicles that characterize keratosis pilaris. These ingredients can also reduce pores and lessen the risk of ingrown hairs,” says Dr. Maimna.

“[Skinfix’s] body cream combines a mixture of alpha-hydroxy acids (for exfoliation) along with salicylic acid for a two-in-one hydroxy acid approach to keratolysis, alongside bisabolol, a soothing agent extracted from chamomile that calms skin,” explains Dr. Maiman.

Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body WashCredit: Dove

eos Shea Better Shaving CreamCredit: eos

Skinfix Resurface+ AHA Renewing Body CreamCredit: skinfix

CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy SkinCredit: CeraVe

Avoid wearing tight clothes

“Strawberry legs can arise from friction while wearing tight clothing during workouts,” says Dr. Maiman. “Tight clothing can lead to folliculitis (a type of skin infection) when hair follicles become infected. It usually appears as tiny red bumps, which can darken and resemble strawberry legs over time,” she adds.

Opt for laser hair removal

“If you’re prone to ingrown hairs it can also help to consider laser hair removal as this works to eliminate the hair follicle at the root and minimizes the eliminates the potential for shaving-related skin changes,” says Dr. Garshick.

Shauna Beni is the Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention. An NYC native and beauty product lover, Shauna has written for Beauty Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, and ABC News. She enjoys testing out new beauty products, watching makeup tutorials on Youtube, and binge-watching her favorite shows on Netflix. When she’s not writing, you can find her taking Zumba classes at Crunch, trying out natural curly hairstyles, and giving her friends advice on what makeup and haircare products they should buy. Follow her on Instagram @Beni127.

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