How to get rid of strawberry legs

What are strawberry legs? Named after their resemblance to strawberry seeds, these are small, dark spots on your skin, which can feel slightly raised to the touch. They’re completely harmless, and there’s no medical reason to get rid of strawberry legs, but some people choose to address the texture for a quick confidence boost.

If you do want to wave goodbye to your strawberry legs, it’s good to know that your textured skin is both common and manageable. For all the answers to how to get rid of strawberry legs, read on.

What are strawberry legs caused by?

There isn’t a universal cause of strawberry legs. Bumpy skin and enlarged pores could be due to a number of different factors. When exploring what helps strawberry legs, identifying the reason behind yours is the first step to getting rid of the dots and spots.

To learn more, here are the most common causes of strawberry legs:

• Shaving: Using old razors or shaving incorrectly can lead to irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. These tiny bumps and dark spots make your pores more visible, giving the appearance of strawberry legs.
• Clogged pores: Many people with strawberry legs are actually dealing with clogged pores. This can be down to both genetics and hygiene, with oil, bacteria, and dry skin settling in the pores and oxidising to create visible black bumps.
• Dry skin: Dry skin can clog pores and highlight the bumps on your legs. While it doesn’t directly cause this skin condition, it can make existing bumps worse and is an important consideration when exploring how to avoid strawberry legs.

You may also be suffering from keratosis pilaris, in which an excess of keratin clogs hair follicles.¹ After shaving, these follicles become more prominent, leading to the small, rough bumps that characterise strawberry legs. 

Another possible condition is folliculitis, in which hair follicles become inflamed or infected.² This creates red, irritated bumps that add to the appearance of strawberry legs.

Identifying if you have one of these conditions makes it easier to fix strawberry legs, and it’s a good idea to speak to a medical professional (like your GP or a dermatologist) if you think your issue runs deeper than clogged pores.

How to get rid of strawberry legs

When exploring what helps with strawberry legs, start by adjusting your shaving routine. Align your routine with what you know about the causes of strawberry legs, addressing dryness and irritation to reduce the appearance of dark dots.

For a gentler shave, use the Philips Lady Shaver Series 8000. Specifically designed to be less irritating when removing hair from sensitive skin, the Lady Shaver can help those dealing with razor burns and redness. With a rounded trimmer and floating foil that glides over your legs, this skin-friendly approach to shaving could be exactly what you need to fix strawberry legs. 

Alongside a gentler shaver, make sure your shaving routine is kind to your skin. Follow these tips for the best ways to get rid of strawberry legs:

• Start by exfoliating to gently remove dead skin cells
• Shave your legs while wet for smoother, less irritating hair removal
• Try using a shaving cream or foam to create a barrier between your shaver and your skin

Not keen on shaving? Discover different hair removal methods in our guide to getting smooth legs.

If you're looking for another option, get rid of strawberry legs by using a product with salicylic acid, which is a type of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). This gently helps the skin to shed dead cells while unclogging pores, making it an effective treatment for conditions like keratosis pilaris.³

When exploring how to get rid of strawberry legs, it’s important to remember that dry skin makes this condition worse – in most cases. Add a non-comedogenic moisturiser to your personal grooming routine to banish dry skin. Look for ingredients like glycerine and hyaluronic acid, which are known for their moisturising properties, to get rid of strawberry legs.⁵

How to prevent itchiness after shaving

To stop itching after shaving, there are ways you can make the shave itself gentler on sensitive skin:

• Exfoliating
  
• Using the right tools
  
• Moisturising the skin

Getting rid of dead skin cells is a great place to start. Old cells trap hair follicles on your skin and build up in your razor, creating a barrier between your blade and your hair. By exfoliating before shaving, you remove dead skin cells for a smoother shave. This also makes it easier for moisturisers to soak into your skin for deeper hydration.³

It’s important you use a sharp, clean razor and shave in the direction of hair growth, which is a must to avoid ingrown hairs. For a smoother shave, a fragrance-free shaving cream can also help.

Follow up your shave by moisturising the skin. To avoid pimples after shaving, use a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturiser that won’t clog your pores. 

Everyday tips for strawberry legs