You've heard it all. If there's a myth about shaving, it's blown up to such a maximum, it's practically repeated in every magazine out there. Whether it's true or not is the actual mystery -- so, we've decided to put together this rumor buster to find out the real deal on the shaving ordeal. Read on to get it straight from the shaver's mouth...

THE REAL DEAL: "No way," explains Joan DeCore, a salonist in Michigan. "Always apply shaving mousse. The lathering makes the hair even softer and lends the skin suppleness." What does she recommend? "I've always found Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel to be a great buy."

THE REAL DEAL: "You got it," DeCore tells us. "Even though it's tempting, it's definitely not comfortable. Freshly shaved skin is vulnerable to the stinging effects of chlorine and salt water." What does she recommend? "Shave the night before; especially underarms, which are much more sensitive to the water additives." Same goes for deodorants -- never apply immediately after shaving. Wait at least twenty minutes afterwards.

THE REAL DEAL: "Another misconception," Joan confirms. "It's a fact that tanning occurs at lower levels of the skin where the pigment cells are in tact. The blades on the razors never come in close contact with these cells." In fact, shaving can actually give your skin a healthier glow and improve the look of your tan by extracting flaky surface skin cells that are known to give skin a dull appearance. This can be compared to the workings of a loofah.

THE REAL DEAL: "Wrong again," DeCore validates. "Using the razor blade on legs and underarms removes hair on the surface of the skin. So, it does not affect the color nor the thickness of the strands." She also makes note that when allowing hair to grow out, it'll eventually take on the original appearance and texture, not a thicker look.

THE REAL DEAL: "It's not absolutely necessary, but it aids tremendously in the prevention of razor burns and cuts," Joan explains. "The hair must be optimally softened with hot water to work at its best. At the same time, the softness of the hair helps spare the blades and increase their lifetime." How long should one keep their razor blade? "Dispose of it after five or six shaves for the best blade," DeCore offers.

THE REAL DEAL: "In a way, it really does," Joan explains. "Shaving first thing in the morning isn't too good of an idea. Your body fluids puff up the skin during sleep. But, about twenty minutes of your normal activity allows skin to resume to its usual tone, in which the hair shaft is in a better position to be shaved." It's also said to be a helpful suggestion to apply moisturizing lotion on legs when done shaving, regardless of the time.

     Of course, if the persistent task of removing hair on your legs is beginning to be somewhat of an annoyance, there are always other forms of hair removals. Many stores supply different kinds of hair removal kits, like waxing, depilatory, and plucking, (the latter for your face). Always follow through carefully with directions; burning can occur otherwise, or sometimes, the product won't end up working at all. Good luck, and remember: don't believe everything you hear.