Hair Removal Lotion - The Good, The Bad & The Smelly

When it comes to getting rid of unwanted body hair, men and women have a number of methods to get that silky-smooth skin. Hair removal lotions might be the right solution for some.

Many people remove body hair by shaving, epilating, waxing, electrolysis or even undergoing laser hair removal treatment. Some of these methods may be a bit challenging, like shaving your own back. Others may be too embarrassing for some people, like having a technician treat the bikini area. Most methods are too time-consuming, too expensive, or too painful for
many people.

How Do Hair Removal Lotions Work?

Depilatory cream, also known as hair removal creams, are an inexpensive and relatively quick method to get rid of unwanted hair. These creams work by dissolving the proteins in the hair so that the strands easily dislodge from the skin when washed off.

 

The main chemical ingredients are are non-toxic but may cause an irritation for people with very sensitive skin. Be warned, they do have a strong odor!

Once smeared on the skin, the chemicals break down the chemical bonds within the hair to the point where the hair can easily be wiped or washed off the skin. The process is quite messy but the skin is left smooth as silk.

Who Is It For?

For people just starting, the effectiveness of the lotion depends on your hair and skin type, and which body parts you want to use it on. Since the hair is only removed at the surface of the skin, rather than from the hair follicle, frequent treatments are necessary. Weekly treatments are common deepdning on the speed of the hair re-growth.

If you don't have sensitive skin, using a hair removal cream is the most pain-free hair removal method available.

Lotions come in different forms, including gels, creams, and aerosols.. The most important consideration when choosing the right cream is the type of skin you have. For people with sensitive skin that's prone to redness & blotching, consult a dermatologist first.

It's recommended to trial a new cream on a small patch of skin first before applying it to the entire body part. If there's an adverse reaction, only a small patch will be affected. This is particularly true when using these creams on sensitive areas (you've been warned!).

Don't use hair removal creams if you've shaved recently. The cream should remain external to the body and shouldn't be used on cuts, scrapes or nicks.

The type of cream you use also depends on the body part. Stronger creams can be used on areas with thick hair, like the chest & legs for men, while a sensitive formulation can be used on the bikini area.

Pros and Cons of Hair Removal Creams

Pros	Cons
They are very effective and inexpensive and can be done in the privacy of your own home. If it doesn't work for you, at least you didn't waste a lot of money.	Some people will find these chemicals too harsh, and can leave skin itchy, red & blotchy. Burns, rashes, stinging & skin peeling have been reported from depilatories.
Lotions come with moisturizers and leave the skin smooth and silky.	They smell bad!
This is a very simple solution. Smear it on, wait for 15 minutes and then wipe and wash it off.	Since the hair root is not removed, as in waxing or laser hair treatment, frequent treatments are necessary.
As the cream is wiped off, the underlying skin is also exfoliated at the same time.	Your tub or shower will be quite messy afterwards.

Selecting Hair Removal Lotions

The most important factors in selecting a depilatory are:

• Skin sensitivity - If topical ointments give you rashes or breakouts, be careful. Check with a dermatologist first.

• Chemical strength - Men have coarse hair and may require stronger creams than women.

• Body part - Fine hair on the arms don't need the same chemical formulation as on the legs. For bikini areas, look for specially formulated lotion meant for sensitive skin.

• Smell - Even with added perfumes, the smell is quite strong.

Hair removal lotion has its place in the war against unwanted body hair. Depending on skin type, this may be the most effective and inexpensive hair removal method for some people.