Almost every body-owning human has to deal with body hair at one point or another; it's a fact of life. What you do with that body hair, if you choose to do anything at all, is totally up to you. After all, the nicks, burns, ingrowns, and irritation that can come with voluntary hair removal aren't exactly great selling points.

But for those of us who choose to remove our body hair, we know how important it is to do it right. Without proper prep, the cushiest of shaving creams, and the sharpest of blades, shaving is ineffective at best and downright dangerous at worst.

But every so often, a situation arises in which we're found with last-minute, unwanted stubble and no time (or way) to shower. Enter the illusive dry shave. Often considered a cardinal sin of hair removal, dry shaving can be done safely—so long as it's done correctly.

Read on for the safest possible way to shave your legs, according to board-certified dermatologists Onyeka Obioha-Lolagne, MD, and Ranella Hirsch, MD, and esthetician Jodi Shays.

Is It Safe to Dry Shave Legs?

Good news: All our experts agree that, while not ideal, dry shaving is absolutely safe—so long as you follow the right precautions. "Dry shaving really should only be performed in a pinch," Shays explains. "Taking a razor to cold, bare skin that isn't prepared is a major red flag for the largest organ on your body. It will communicate to the brain that it is under attack, and that is why many people complain about inflammation after a true dry shave."

And speaking of a "true" dry shave, it's important we're all on the same page about what that means. Simply put, dry shaving is shaving an area on your body outside of the shower without any water whatsoever, Obioha-Lolagne shares.

Traditionally, we're taught to shave using warm water and shaving cream. Water, especially at higher temperatures, softens the skin and allows for smoother hair removal. The addition of shaving cream or a similar emollient makes for an easier, safer razor-blade glide, Shays says. Plus, Obioha-Lolagne adds, it reduces the risk of post-shaving irritation and folliculitis (AKA inflammation around the hair follicles).

Hirsch does add the caveat that while dry shaving can be safe, "safe depends on who is doing the shaving and how it's done—technique is key."

Benefits of Dry Shaving Legs

There's really only one benefit to dry shaving with a traditional razor blade, and that is occasional convenience.

Consider dry shaving a last resort, for those rare moments when the stubble needs to go stat and you find yourself totally water-less. And given the necessity of proper dry shave precautions and techniques, it might just be easier (and definitely less risky) to wait for a proper shave later.