It’s summer which means we’ve all swapped our jumpers for t-shirts, trainers for sandals (pedicure, anyone?) and our jeans for shorts. Yep, bare legs. But, do you ever find your legs covered in weird black dots? Well, it turns out these are pretty common. They’re actually (informally) known as ‘strawberry legs’. The cause? Clogged pores. Here’s how to prevent them from forming.
By Beth Ludolf
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1 What causes 'strawberry' legs?
The little, black dots covering your legs are actually clogged pores (just like blackheads). They appear when open comedones get blocked with sebum, dirt or bacteria. The air causes the blockage to oxidise and turn black. These little dark spots resemble the seeds on the skin of a strawberry, hence the term ‘strawberry skin’.
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2 Dry-brushing
Drying brushing a couple of times a week has heaps of benefits. It detoxifies by increasing circulation and drainage (which can help reduce the appearance of cellulite). It invigorates by stimulating the nervous system and – most importantly – exfoliates away any dead skin cells. This encourages cell turnover and keeps ingrown hairs and clogged pores (the cause of 'strawberry skin') at bay
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3 Exfoliate
You’ve got a skincare routine, why not a bodycare routine? Your body needs TLC too. Get into the habit of regularly exfoliating your body – especially if you shave. It will help with razor burn, 'strawberry skin' and ingrown hairs. Using an exfoliating mitt with your scrub is a good way to use less product, too.
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4 Shave the right way
Your shaving technique is definitely to blame too, so a refresher in shaving 101 might help. Make sure your razor is clean and sharp. Dull blades cause knicks and ingrown hairs. Hot water dries out the skin so turn the temperature down on your shower. Always use a shaving cream or gel to lubricate the skin and make sure you don't shave over the same area numerous times. Or just book a wax. Much easier.
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5 Moisturise (a lot)
Dry skin is the enemy here. When your skin is lacking moisture, it ramps up oil production to overcompensate (that’s the skin on your face and your body). This can lead to breakouts, ingrown hairs and – you guessed it – clogged pores. Taking ten minutes to moisturise your body before bed is definitely worth it, we promise.
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6 Don't fake tan straight away
Give your pores the chance to close up before you grab the fake tan. They’ll be most open after a hot bath or shower (and a big exfoliation sesh), so now is not the time to tan – it will only clog your pores further. Preferably, you should do your shower routine the night before you plan to tan.
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