Friday, February 26, 2010

Frugal Friday


As I sit here typing there is a mild burn on my shins. And no, it's not from running (though I did hit the trail this week). No. I decided to try an alternative to shaving. Something like this. Only today is Frugal Friday. I didn't want to go out and purchase something. Instead I went shopping in my garage -- for sandpaper. Yes. I just ground down my legs. Literally.

It seems sandpapering is a tried and true technique for hair removal. Women buffed their legs during WWII as no metal was available for razor production. Many women still tout the benefits of buffing: hair removal, exfoliation, smooth legs and softer return hair growth.

Who doesn't want sexy smooth frugal legs? Certainly I do. However I recommend a touch more research before embarking on this particular adventure. Me? I used fine sandpaper - it's what we had.

As it turns out I should have gone with extra-fine or 600 grit paper. Perhaps then I'd still have that extra layer of skin (I'm exaggerating a bit -- my legs are irritated but not raw, at least not yet). I also must place a caveat here. I have extremely sensitive skin; just look at it weird and it breaks out in unsightly plaques. In other words I may not be the best guinea pig.

I can tell you this. Sandpaper exfoliates, very well. And my legs are smoother (though not as smooth as I'd like).

Here's my plan. I'm going to give my skin a few days to heal. In the meantime I'll go and find some extra-fine sandpaper and, once healed, I'll give it another whirl.

Have any of you tried this? What was your experience?



5 comments:

Sheryl Rayner said...

I was going to say at least you're well exfoliated! Your curiosity and willingness to try new things never ceases to amaze me!

Anonymous said...

ive never tried sandpaper, but now im intrigued.

i was given the smoothaway thing and it didnt work for me, especially on leg hair. it may work on finer hair but i didnt try it.

Jessica @ This Blessed Life said...

Wow, this made me laugh - you have guts that I don't have! What a conversation starter! lol

Mrs. E said...

If this takes all the hair off your legs permanently--count me in!

Mandy (ZenMonkeyMind) said...

I thought I had tried every alternative to shaving, but apparently not...

Love your blog!!!!