Depilatory Cream - How Does It Work?

Depilatory creams are extremely good for short-term hair removal, but how do they actually work?

A chemical depilatory is a cosmetic treatment used to remove unwanted or excess hair on the human body. A common active ingredient is calcium thioglycolate, which breaks down the bonds in the keratin and weakens the hair so that it is easily scraped off where it sprouts from the hair follicle.

When these chemicals mix with the hair, there's often an unpleasant sulphur-like odour that goes away when the hair removal cream is rinsed off.

If the preparation is left on for too long, the skin may also become sensitive as the epidermis is also rich in keratin. Chemical depilatories are used primarily on body parts such as the arms and legs. They should not be used on the face unless specifically listed for that purpose on the product's label.

Chemical depilatories are available in gel, cream, lotion, aerosol, roll-on, and powder forms. Common brands include Nair and Veet.

1. Wait at least 72 hours after shaving before trying a cream.

2. For best results, first warm the area to be treated with a warm facecloth. This will soften the hair and open the pores so the cream can be better absorbed.

3. Never exceed the recommended time for leaving the hair removal cream on the skin.

4. Follow the instructions on the pack explicitly.

5. When removing the cream, use a disposable cloth to wipe it off instead of simply rinsing (additional pressure can help remove more of the hair shaft). This type of hair removal lasts several days.

6. Test depilatories on your forearm before using it, to determine whether your skin reacts adversely (some can cause skin discolouration and others may provoke allergies). If your skin inflames when using a depilatory cream, wash the area with an anti-bacterial solution and apply a cortisone cream to reduce the inflammation.

7. Never apply a depilatory to an area that has any cuts, scratches or other wounds.

8. Use them in the evening rather than the morning, so that any irritation can go down overnight, especially on holiday, when exposure to the sun or chlorine can cause reactions. If you have sensitive skin, choose an appropriate formula and do a patch test.

9. The latest hair removing creams work in under 3 minutes and some contain moisturisers to leave the skin smooth and soft for days afterwards, keeping you hair free for anything from a 5 days to a couple of weeks.

Recently a French company has developed and patented a new depilatory cream which is believed to have solved the problems of unpleasant odours by using biotechnology and natural plant extracts. The company states that their product smells like any other body milk or other such beauty product. We'll keep you posted on developments.