Whether you're removing hair from your legs or bikini line, there are several ways to ensure your results are as smooth as possible. Here, tips to keep your shave clean and free from irritation:

Never shave dry skin. If you're not going to shave in the shower or tub, be sure to moisten your skin with hot water for at least 2-3 minutes before you pick up the razor.

Exfoliate skin before shaving. Dry skin brushing or a light scrub will remove dead skin cells that interfere with shaving and dull your blade. 

Change your blade often. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you use a fresh blade every 5-7 shaves. You should change it even more frequently if it seems a little dull, since dull blades can cause razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

Use foam or gel. Shaving creams, gels, and foams help your shave in three ways. First, they soften and moisturize your skin. Second, they encourage muscles to push the hair up away from the area to be shaved. And they also help you see where you've already shaved (too many razor strokes on the same area can encourage ingrown hairs.) After applying the product, massage it into your skin and give it three minutes to absorb before starting to shave.

Follow the hair. Shaving in the direction of the hair is gentler on your skin and will reduce the chance of razor burn. If stubble still exists, take another pass against the hair growth direction but avoid going over the same area repeated times.

Don't press too hard. Many people think that applying extra pressure will give you a closer shave, but this just interferes with your razor's ability to do its job, plus increases your risk for nicks and cuts.

Take it slow around the corners.  Knees and ankles are the hardest to shave since the surface is uneven. Pay close attention, and you'll get a shave that's close without nicks.

Rinse and don't rub. After shaving, rinse the area with cool water and pat it dry. You've already sloughed off a lot of skin, so rubbing it with a towel will likely irritate the skin.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Shaving can dry out the skin, so be sure to apply moisturizer, especially to the legs.

 

Sources

Skin Care Guide

http://www.dermatologycare.ca/shaving.php

Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-removal/AN00638

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ingrown-hairs/AN01262

Gillette manufacturer websites

http://www.gillette.com/en-US/#/grooming/howtoshave/en-US/index.shtml/

http://www.gillettevenus.com/en_US/