Want to get smooth, silky legs without annoying razor burn or irritation? Shaving may seem intuitive, but there is actually a right and wrong method. Read on to learn how to shave your legs the correct way, without any nicks or cuts.

Shaving legs is different than shaving faces or underarms. Because your gams have so much surface area, it is easy to shave in a hurry to get through the task quickly, or go over areas over and over again to make sure that no spots were missed. Both of these things can seriously irritate your skin. It is important to be methodical and keep a somewhat slow pace, or else you may end up with a nasty case of razor bumps, or even tiny nicks that can bleed profusely.

To get a good shave and avoid irritation, it is important to use the right razor blade. There are dozens of options out there, but the best choice is to use a non-disposable, triple-blade variety. Cheap razors, particularly plastic disposable ones, can be extremely irritating, and will not shave close enough to give you optimal smoothness.

• In addition, you should always use a moisturizing shaving cream. A good cream will allow you to achieve a smoother shave, and protect you from cuts at the same time. Avoid using soaps, as they will actually dry out your skin and leave you vulnerable to nicks.

Start out by letting your legs soak in warm water. This will soften the hairs and make them easier to cut through. A bath is ideal, but if this is not option you may also stand in a warm shower. Let the water work its magic for at least five minutes to ensure that your lag hairs get ample opportunity to soften. Now would be an excellent time to shampoo, or to wash the rest of your body.

While ideally you should take a bath instead of a shower in order to allow your legs to fully soak in the warm water, standing in the shower for a few minutes will also allow your leg hairs to soften. The steam and running water will be enough, and paired with a good, moisturizing shaving cream you should be able to get a good shave.

1. Find a place to sit, if possible
2. If you must stand, find a comfortable place to raise your leg for easier access
3. Make sure that no water from the faucet is splashing your legs
4. Gently spread shaving cream over the entire surface that you are shaving
5. Place your razor blade at your ankle, facing up
6. Move the razor gently in a straight line up to the top of your calf, just below the knee--do not apply pressure
7. Place the razor back on your ankle, right next to where you just shaved, and repeat the process
8. Once the calf is done, straighten your leg and gently shave over the knee
9. Move just above the knee, and shave the thigh in the same manner as your calf