Hair removal cream how does it work

There are many brands of depilatory creams. The most common are Veet and Nair. Depilatory creams can be a cream, a gel or a lotion. The principle remains the same for all: to remove unwanted hair on the face and on the body. They are a common hair removal method because such chemical creams can be found in a drugstore or supermarket.

Furthermore, they can be applied on your own and produce quick results. Native Americans used a chemical called lye to get rid of body hair. People in ancient Turkey used quicklime, or calcium oxide, to remove hair. Nair, for example, has been around since It has successfully positioned itself as a fast, easy alternative to shaving and a less painful proxy to waxing. Depilatory creams are spread onto the surface of the skin.

The chemical used in such products will dissolve the keratin in the hair. Once the hair breaks down or dissolve, it can be wiped off the surface of the skin easily. Depilatory creams remove the hair shaft, not the hair root.

Thus, they have the same effect as shaving. Depilatory creams contain chemicals that will break down the hair shaft. They usually contain ingredients such as thioglycolic acid: calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and potassium. Those ingredients will increase the pH of the hair, effectively dissolving portions of the follicles.

The base chemical in depilatory creams makes the hair shaft swell or open. This helps the chemical salts enter the hair and break down the bonds that make hair fibers stick together.

Chemical creams attacks sulfur bonds in the hair shaft. The sulfur reaction can cause a rotten egg smell. There are many different formulas of chemical creams but they essentially all have the same goal: to break the hair shaft and dissolve the hair.

Then, it can be easily wiped away. The cream, gel or lotion is applied with a spatula. Let rest for three up to ten minutes and wipe away with the same spatula. Remember to always rinse and wash any cream left away. Depilatory creams are not a permanent hair removal method. They are not a long-term hair reduction method either. The combination of chemicals present in chemical creams such as Nair or Veet will dissolve the hair shaft. However, everything will happen directly below the skin surface yet still above the hair root.

As a result, the hair will be able to start growing back almost immediately after applying depilatory cream. In the end, using a depilatory cream is similar to shaving, the only difference being there is no blade. The results may last longer since the depth of action is bigger than with shaving. The speed of regrowth will also vary from one person to another as well as their hair growth cycle. A cream that simply removes hair without the precision of shaving or having to clench your teeth through a wax can seem too good to be true.

The science behind them has been long perfected however, and depilatory creams offer a quick, convenient and safe way to remove unwanted hair at home. The way that depilatory creams work, is that they break down the keratin structure — the proteins, of the hair. This effectively thins and dissolves the base of the hairs to the point where they are weak enough to be broken off when the cream is wiped away. The creams typically contain a number of alkaline chemicals, formulated to break down these proteins, but also to be safe for your skin.

Using depilatory creams rather than shaving provides you with a number of benefits. Depilatory creams dissolve the hair just below the surface of the skin, unlike shaving, which slices through the hair just above the level of the skin.

This means that you can remain stubble free for up to four days. With shaving, the fact that the hairs are cut through means that the ends are left squared off.

The process of the hairs being dissolved gives the hair that remains a tapered end, which feels softer to the touch. Over time, you may even notice that your hair is actually growing back finer than it was — not quite as fine as you may find with waxing of course, but definitely a marked improvement!

The brand's best-selling product is its waxing kit; though the depilatory lotion, which is enriched with calming and moisture-rich ingredients like cocoa butter and aloe vera extract, doesn't disappoint. This beloved formula by Veet caters to sensitive skin, so those who are susceptible to red and irritated skin can have peace of mind while using this product. Its melon, aloe vera, avocado oil, and honey extracts help to soothe skin. Depilatory creams are a great at-home alternative to many other hair removal procedures; just be sure to use them with care to avoid irritation.

If any negative reactions to a depilatory cream last for more than one day, check in with a board-certified dermatologist to assess the severity of your reaction. Depilatory wax burns: experience and investigation. Food and Drug Administration. Removing hair safely. Updated June 30, Thank you [email] for signing up. Please enter a valid email address. Your Privacy Rights.

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By Naomi Torres Naomi Torres. Naomi Torres is a licensed cosmetologist and a contributing writer for Byrdie. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines. Fact checked by Hallie Gould. Hallie has worked in beauty editorial for nine years and has worked at Byrdie since Ava Shamban , MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic dermatology.