Hair Removal Cream: Where and Where NOT to Use

Summer is the time that we are most aware of our body hair. With shorts, tank tops, bikinis, and shorter skirts, it’s the time of year that we are most exposed. So, of course, it’s when we deal every single day with having to remove unwanted body hair with razors, waxing, lasers, or we use the best hair removal cream we can find. But is it safe to remove hair this way from all over our bodies, or are there places we shouldn’t be putting hair removal cream?

What are Hair Removal Creams?

Hair removal creams, also called depilatory creams, work by combining several alkaline chemicals that break down the keratin structure of hair. Applying one of the best hair removal cream products to your skin causes the hair to thin, dissolve, and then break off during the removal process, leaving skin hair-free. Because the hair dissolves beneath the skin’s surface, the skin remains free of hair for a longer period of time than it does by simple shaving, which only scrapes hair off the surface of the skin.

These depilatory chemicals are highly effective, and safe for most healthy skin. However, it’s important to always perform a patch test before using these products. Some people may have reactions to the chemicals in even the best hair removal creams.

Don’t Use Hair Removal Cream on Your Eyebrows!

While it may be a current Youtube craze, you should never use hair removal cream on your eyebrows. Even the best hair removal cream products made specifically for faces will warn you not to use them to shape your eyebrows.

Even on the tougher skin of your legs and underarms, hair removal creams can cause irritation. This is because they work by dissolving keratin, which makes up hair proteins. However, there is also keratin present in the skin cells, so applying a hair removal cream will cause some amount of damage even to the hardiest skin. Because of this, it’s important to follow the package directions and never leave a hair removal product on for longer than recommended.

The skin around the eyes is much thinner and more fragile than in the rest of our bodies. In fact, it’s only about half the thickness of skin elsewhere. Furthermore, one of the chemicals in hair removal creams which break down proteins is Potassium Thioglycolate, which is known to cause serious eye damage if it gets into the eyes. There are reports of people suffering from eye injury by accidentally touching their eyes while still having hair removal cream on their fingers. So imagine the potential for trouble if you are actually applying hair removal cream to the area above or around your eyes?

Don’t Use Hair Removal Cream on Private Parts!

One of the most common complaints about the use of hair removal cream involves getting some of it in the private parts. While men can also experience pain and burning, this is especially true for women. The skin of the labia minora is lined with mucous membranes and getting even a small amount of hair removal cream there can result in painful burns and irritation, and may even end in a very embarrassing visit to your OBGYN, or a trip to the emergency room.

If you are using a depilatory cream on your bikini area, choose only the best hair removal cream made specifically for the bikini area. Even then, follow the directions carefully. Most creams direct the user to put on an old pair of underwear and then apply the cream only to the areas outside of the panty lines.

Other Places to NOT use Hair Removal Cream

Don’t try to use hair removal cream on your nose or ear hair! Yes, this seems like a no-brainer, but it’s been tried—and failed painfully—before.

Don’t get any hair removal cream on the nipples. Even the best hair removal cream used for chest and back hair will painfully irritate the sensitive skin on the nipples.

Don’t use a hair removal cream over moles. Moles have sensitive skin on and around them. Hair removal cream can cause irritation and even scabbing when rubbed on a mole.

Experts recommend always doing a patch test before using even the best hair removal cream and always leave it on for the least recommended amount of time.

Resources— HowStuffWorks, HairFreeLife.com, DailyNews

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