What is a depilatory cream?
All the depilatory creams are usually quite thick and spread over the skin, in the area where we want to remove hair. After putting a depilatory cream on your skin, you should leave it on for a few minutes to weaken each hair on your skin. After that time, depending on the cream, it will be more or less time, and you can clean the cream and drag the hair with the cream, leaving the skin soft and smooth.
The main active ingredient in depilatory creams is thioglycolic acid. This acid is usually added in the form of various salts such as potassium and calcium thioglycolates, although it can sometimes be found as pure thioglycolic acid. Along with other ingredients, these acids break down keratin, a protein that is found naturally in the hair and the hair, weaken it and it ends up falling out.
Benefits of using a depilatory cream
All the depilatory creams and shaving they are a good option to remove hair if we do not want to feel pain. Both methods remove hair on the surface of the skin. That is, in a few days they come out again.
Of course, compared to shaving, depilatory creams do not irritate the skin and leave fewer skin lesions or papules. That's not to say that depilatory creams can't irritate the skin, but they do so less often and the irritation quickly fades away. Also, if we shave we run the risk of causing cuts on the skin with the blade.
Safe use of depilatory creams
Do a patch test. It is important to make sure that your skin does not react badly to a depilatory cream before using it. Always test it on a small part of your skin before using any such cream on a large part of your body.
It should be said that each person is different and that not all skins react the same, so if you notice a burning sensation while you have the cream on, rinse it off immediately with cold water. Remove all the cream so that irritation does not go further, and if you have aloe vera on hand, make use of aloe cream to quickly relieve irritation and burning.
Make sure it is the right cream for the area to be applied
Use a cream that indicates that it can be used in the area where you are going to apply it. Some formulas are stronger than others and they may be too strong for sensitive areas like the face or bikini area. Nor should depilatory cream be applied to irritated areas or with a wound.
Time the time
Most depilatory creams should be left between 3 and 10 minutes but it is important that before using it you carefully read the instructions of the cream you are going to use. This way you will know exactly how long you need to let it act.
rinse it well
After the time indicated in the instructions, you should clean the cream and rinse the skin with cold water. It is normal for your skin to feel sensitive at first. This feeling should go away in a few hours.
Care after depilatory cream
You can use a soothing cream afterwards to relieve any skin irritation or discomfort. If you have dry skin, use a fragrance-free moisturizer. It is important not to use perfumed products.
Disadvantages of depilatory creams
Chemical burns
Depilatory creams they use chemicals to remove hair. This means there is a chance you could get a chemical burn.
All the first, second, or third degree burns can occur when depilatory cream is left on for longer than it should. It is more likely to happen in the groin area or on the face because the skin in these areas is more sensitive.
Chemical burns are painful and need medical attention. To avoid it, make sure you leave the cream on for the right amount of time and use it only for the areas indicated in the instructions.
If you feel any discomfort or burning when using the depilatory cream, rinse immediately skin with cold water and remove any traces of cream that may be present.
Characteristic odor of depilatory cream
Hair removal creams have a specific smell, often described as smell of rotten eggs. This is due to the chemical reaction between the cream and the hair.
Anyway try do not use products with perfumes after the use of the cream. This smell will go away after a short time.