How To Use Hair Removal Cream – Learn how to effectively use hair removal cream to remove unwanted hair from any part of your body & what to use afterwards
Hair Removal Creams
Hair removal creams, also known as depilatory creams, mostly contain an active chemical ingredient in them that is primarily responsible for dissolving the hair just below the surface of the skin.
One of the most popular active ingredients responsible for dissolving the hair contained in most hair removal creams is a chemical by the name of Potassium Thioglycolate.
There are also common alternatives to Potassium Thioglycolate such as Calcium Thioglycolate and Calcium Hydroxide.
How Does Hair Removal Cream Work?
When you apply the hair removal cream containing this chemical to your hair, the active ingredient does all the heavy lifting.
These active ingredients work to chemically break down (chemical depilatory) the structure of your hair. They interrupts the disulfide bonds in the keratin – protein structure in your hair and start to break down your hair follicle.
Once broken down, the hair follicle structure transforms to a jelly like substance that can easily be wiped or washed away.
Although the hazard level of Potassium Thioglycolate in most hair removal cream is relatively low hazard level (2-3 depending on usage out of 10 according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) (source), it can still result in a chemical burn if misused or if left on for too long.
here’s why:
Different hair removal cream have different set times and application methods.
If you leave a cream on your skin for too short of a time, it likely won’t be nearly as effective.
Also, if you leave it on your skin for too long, you open up your skin to a possible chemical burn that can cause mild to severe irritation and discomfort.
Apart from the application methods, certain creams are designed to be used on different parts of your body.
The skin around your eyebrows and genitals for example is incredibly sensitive. Using a hair removal cream that’s meant for your legs and arms in either of those areas could burn your skin and cause a lot of discomfort.
If you want to remove hair on your face using a depilatory cream, you’ll need to buy one formulated specially for that area. The same goes for your bikini line.
Also some are more effective when used by women than by men.
Men naturally have much thicker and coarser hair than women. Therefore, if you try to use a female specific hair removal cream, the results will likely be less than desirable (unless your hair of course tends to be a bit thinner.
It is therefore extremely important that whenever you use a hair removal cream that you make sure that you follow the directions exactly.
That’s why it is recommended that you do a patch test before using hair removal cream:
Using Hair Removal Cream
There are lots of different brands of hair removal cream, and lots of choices within those brands.
Whether the depilatory product comes in the form of a spray, powder, lotion or hair removal cream, it is critical important that you do a patch test.
Patch tests means just using a small amount of the hair removal cream on a small part of the unwanted hair.
You will want the area that you select to do the patch test on to be in a low visibility area just in case go south with the solution and you have a giant red mark.
Also, when performing a patch test, try not to place it in an area that experiences a lot of movement (i.e. stay away from the folds in your skin).
Below are some ideas for the areas on the body where you can have a hair removal cream patch tests.
Where To Use Hair Removal Cream – Patch Test:
- For chin or beard hair removal – Just below the chin but above the adams apple
- For chest hair removal – An area between your breasts
- For pubic hair removal – An area directly above your genitals
- For leg hair removal – An area on the front side of your thigh
- For back hair removal – An area on the center of back (between the shoulder blades)
Benefits Of Using Hair Removal Creams
Using hair removal creams rather than shaving provides you with a number of benefits.
Stubble Free for Longer
Unlike shaving, hair removal creams dissolve the hair just below the surface of the skin, which means that you can remain stubble free for up to four days.
Softer, Finer Hairs
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 by the hair removal cream gives the hair that remains a tapered end.
Quick and Pain Free
Using a hair removal cream is such an easy process, it can be done in the shower, or just before, and requires little or no effort unlike shaving which has the risk or cuts and nicks and also can lead to razor bumps.
How To Use Hair Removal Cream
The directions for “how to use hair removal creams” are most usually pretty straight forward and should be followed closely when using the product.
Simply you will want to apply the cream before going in the shower and let it rest for a minute.
If you are going to be treating an area like your back, you might need some help in applying it to your back; You can either have your partner apply the cream to your back, or use a Non-absorbent lotion applicator on your back for complete coverage.
It’s important that you don’t rub the depilatory cream into your skin (it’s not a body lotion). Instead, you will want to have it just provide a coating on your hair as it will work to break down the hair in the area targeted.
After the recommended amount of time, (see instructions on your own product) you will want to just gently rub off a small portion to see if it removed the hair.
If the treated hair comes off, you can begin to take off the cream in the manner suggested in the product instructions (which most likely will be, by wiping off or washing off the cream);
If on the other hand, the hair is not coming off as expected in the treated area, you can leave it on a bit longer (just don’t exceed their recommended ” allowed maximum time “) – Any time longer than the time specified on the instructions will likely result in a chemical burn.
What To Use After Hair Removal Cream
It is important to keep the skin well nourished in order to have healthy skin.
The process of using hair removal cream on the skin can leave the skin feeling dry and irritated. You will therefore need to replenish the moisture and nourishment your skin so desperately needs, especially after using a chemical depilatory product on your skin.
Although Most top hair removal creams now contain additional ingredients to help add moisture and give your skin an even smoother feel and healthy glow post hair removal; it is difficult to say if they have the right quantity as most manufactures don’t declare the amount of ingredients included in their product.
We therefore always recommend that you invest in a quality lotion for your skin if you are use hair removal cream.
A great all natural lotion for men is the highly rated Jack Black Body Lotion that contains a good mix of carrier oils, proteins, and vitamins to help give your skin an even smoother feel and healthy glow.
For women, something like Cocoa butter lotion is also recommended, as this also helps restore and maintain your skin’s moisture balance and to heal, soothe and soften your irritated skin.