Shave in the evening. Legs swell as you sleep and the puffiness hides some of the hair, so shaving in the morning can leave you with stubble later in the day. You'll get the closest shave in the evening after swelling has subsided.

Shave within the first 10 minutes of your shower or bath. While warm water softens hair, it also causes swelling, which inhibits a close shave.

Use a women's shaving cream or gel. Soap can be drying, so opt for a moisture-filled shaving cream to smooth skin and soften coarse hair for the best results. If you have dry or sensitive skin, make sure alcohol or fragrance isn't listed in the first three ingredients or choose a formula made for sensitive skin. Rub the cream against the hair growth to help the stubble stand up for an extra-close shave.

Choose a three-, four- or five-blade razor with a pivoting head. Multiple blades ensure coarse hair gets clipped while an adjustable, pivoting head helps guide the blade around tough-to-reach areas, like ankles and knees. If you find your skin is dry or irritated after using a four- or five-blade razor, scale back to a three-blade razor, which is gentler on sensitive skin. Look for moisturizing strips that contain ingredients like aloe to help the blade glide over skin and infuse moisture.

Change blades regularly. Ditch blades in as little as one shave and no more than ten to ensure smooth, nick-free results.

Use a hair-growth inhibitor. Over-the-counter hair-growth inhibiting creams applied as directed may help slow growth and promote finer, sparser regrowth.