A dermatologist’s advice on strawberry legs

«It’s so annoying. I shave my legs and expect them to be perfect. But they’re not.» My friend Andrea complains to me in the dressing room after a workout. After shaving, her thighs and lower legs are smooth, but covered in dark dots. «It doesn’t look good.» As I've never heard of this condition before I look it up on my way home and find out that many women suffer from so-called strawberry legs. Especially in summer, when they can't hide their legs under long fabrics. I want to find out more and speak to an expert.

What are these dark dots?
Dr. med. Myriam Wyss Fopp, specialist for dermatology and allergology: These dots are short hair stubbles that don't retract under the skin after shaving and are therefore visible as black dots. Experts call these spots blackheads. These clogged pores resemble the seeds of a strawberry and are therefore also referred to as strawberry legs. Remember, these aren't ingrown hairs – also called «pseudofolliculitis» or «pili incarnati» – which can continue to grow under the skin and cause inflammation.

Are some skin types more affected by strawberry legs?
Yes, the thicker and darker your hair is and the stronger the hair growth, the more noticeable these dots are. This skin type is also more prone to having ingrown hairs.

Which products help against leg blackheads?
Exfoliating helps remove old and dead skin cells before shaving. This makes sure the skin is smooth and you can shave close to the skin. Use a fresh and sharp razor blade. Dull blades drag against the skin and increase the chance of razor bumps or ingrown hairs. Use a clarifying facial tonic with salicylic acid after shaving to make the pores contract and become less visible. Apply the tonic to the thighs and lower legs using a cotton pad.

Does only wet shaving or also dry shaving cause strawberry legs?
Both methods can result in blackheads and ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs often appear after waxing or sugaring. I recommend laser treatment to anyone who experiences ingrown hairs or strawberry legs.

What does laser hair removal do?
The laser transfers its energy to the dark hair follicle. After laser epilation, the hair falls out, leaving the treated areas smooth and stubble-free for one to two months. Some hairs grow back and can be treated again. This method is repeated until no hairs are left. As a result, strawberry legs and ingrown hairs are also a thing of the past.