Hair-removal creams or depilatory creams are rather new in the beauty world. Many women use it to get rid of unwanted hair as an alternative to waxing and razors. They contain different alkaline chemicals responsible for weakening the hair and eventually getting rid of it. Unfortunately, these chemicals give the crèmes rather unpleasant smell which is repelling to many users who avoid buying them in the end. However, hair removal creams are much more affordable than other treatments but how long do they last?
Hair removal creams give varying results. For some women, the effect lasts for a week, for the others the results are as short-lived as a few days. There are different factors that the results depend on. First of all, there’s the type of hair you have. If you have thick, strong black hair, then you can’t really expect much and your skin will be smooth for the maximum of 2 days which is no better than shaving. Users with weak hair will have the ‘’baby-skin’’ effect for a week with occasional use of a razor. What you should also consider is the part of your body you want your hair to be removed from.
Comparing the results to other hair removal techniques
Users are usually at crossroads when it comes to the technique they use for removing hair. The most practical way is definitely shaving. You can use razors on all parts of your body and you’ll be over with it in a few minutes. However, the hairless skin will be lasting for a couple of days, no more. Waxing, of course, lasts much longer, but it involves a lot of pain and skin redness you have to deal with for a few hours after. When it is professionally done, you can enjoy not being hairy for almost 4 weeks. The most effective method is definitely laser hair removal but it is the most expensive one at the same time. It is also time-consuming because your skin will need to be prepared for each treatment. Hair removal creams are somewhere in the middle. The results last more than shaving but less than waxing and price-wise, it is far more economical than laser.
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How do these creams work?
Calcium thioglycolate and sodium hydroxide is the most common combination used in the depilatory creams that breaks down the keratin in hair. Eventually, it will break off from the follicle and leave you with the wanted effect. Usually, after using such products, you’ll see their residue which you can rub off with a towel and in that moment you’ll see all the hair going away.
How to choose the depilatory cream
We can all agree that we can’t be putting just anything on the skin. Even when we think we’re taking great care of our skin by buying all the expensive products, if they don’t match our skin type, we can fairly say they are a complete waste of money. The first thing you should take into consideration when buying hair removal cream is your skin type. If you’re susceptible to breakouts and irritations then you should be reading the label in even greater detail and look for the elements you have a history of reacting to. Then consider the area you’re using it for. There are creams specifically made for the bikini line which has highly sensitive skin so, don’t use regular products there. Finally, you’ll have to choose among different forms of the depilatory creams: gels, roll-ons etc.
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The pros and cons of the hair depilatory cream
The biggest beneficial effect of the depilatory creams is the fact that, in addition to hair removing, they also exfoliate. This means your skin will be glowing each time you use it because it will be free of dead skin cells. On the other hand, the biggest problem with this type of products is the fact that they’re packed with chemicals that could burn your skin. This is because they usually have alkaline that attacks keratin which is not located solely in hair but in the skin as well. In order not to get the allergic reactions or any other possible side effects, you’re advised to do a patch test 24h before you apply the cream to a bigger portion of skin.
