Hair removal cream, the pros and cons

The benefits of hair removal cream

Called depilatory cream or depilatory cream, it is a chemical formulation that allows you to remove hair with little or no effort. Less durable – ten days at most – than waxing which removes the hair at its root, the depilatory cream dissolves the keratin of the hair at its base. Unlike the razor which cuts the hair clean. For this same reason, the hair will grow back softer with the cream.

It is therefore an intermediate method that may be suitable for many women. Especially those which have fine or not very dense hairs, with slow growth cycles. They therefore do not need hair removal that completely removes the hair.

Depilatory cream is also the ally of those who cannot stand wax, hot or cold, or the razor. These two methods can indeed create various inconveniences: small pimples like “chicken skin”, redness that takes a long time to disappear and in many cases, ingrown hairs. Depilatory cream helps prevent them.

Finally, hair removal cream is completely painless when used properly.

The disadvantages of hair removal cream

The depilatory creams that were commercially available a decade ago still smelled very strongly. Today this problem is less and less present. Still, this is a chemical that can scare away, especially women who prefer to use natural products.

To dissolve keratin and remove hair, hair removal creams contain thioglycolic acid. It is the same molecule, with other compounds of course, as that used by hairdressers to achieve perms or straightening, in that it softens the hair fiber in order to change its shape for a long time.

The depilatory cream must therefore be used with precaution and following the exposure time, not a minute longer, at the risk of having burns.

Regarding allergies, the risk is much lower today. However, it is recommended to perform a test on a very small part of the leg, for example, at least 48 hours before waxing.

However, very sensitive skin or skin that has lesions should especially not be in contact with this type of cream.

The depilatory cream for the bikini line

The waxing of the bikini line is the most delicate to perform. The skin is very thin and the methods recommended for one person will not work for another.

For skin that cannot stand wax, rather than using a razor, depilatory cream is a good option, provided you are very careful.

Indeed, its chemical formulation is likely to cause serious burns on the mucous membranes. It is therefore essential to use a depilatory cream specially formulated for the bikini area and / or sensitive areas and to apply the product with caution.

All the brands, in supermarkets, drugstores or cosmetics stores, now offer depilatory creams for those areas that require special attention.

Precautions to be taken with depilatory cream

In order to achieve a clean and safe hair removal, it is essential to follow these few rules:

• Apply the cream in layers thick enough to cover the hair well, without putting too much.
• Use the tools, such as the spatula, that came with your kit.
• Leave the cream on for the time indicated on the package. To do this, use a timer. If you leave the cream on your skin for too long, it can cause irritation and even burns.
• Apply the cream only on the epidermis and especially not on the mucous membranes when you epilate your bikini line. If there is a problem, take a tissue or cotton ball moistened with lukewarm water and remove the excess.
• Whether for the bikini line or on the legs, after removing the cream, rinse your skin and then apply a moisturizing and soothing cream.