Depilatories

Depilatory creams are available in gel, cream, lotion, aerosol, and roll-on forms. They contain an alkaline chemical, usually calcium thioglycolate, that dissolves the protein structure of the hair and causes it to separate from the skin. Sometimes, chemical depilatories don't work very well for naturally "hairy" people. Depilatories can work well but they can also cause serious skin irritations and even second or third-degree chemical burns, and possibly, scarring, if the formula is too strong or is left on for too long. The depilatory dissolves any hair with which it comes into contact, but it also can dissolve the keratin in skin. Instructions must be followed carefully. Also, before using a depilatory cream, test the product on a small area of your skin for allergic reactions or sensitivity. Hair must be at a reasonable length for use to be effective.

Depilatory contact with the skin should be limited to somewhere between 4 and 15 minutes, depending on how fine or coarse your hair is. Most of the creams are specially formulated for the finer hair of a female and take longer to effectively remove the thicker hair of a male. Skin sensitivity varies on different parts of the body and some depilatories are for use only on the legs, while others are safe for sensitive areas such as the bikini line, face, and underarms. Depilatories should not be used for the eyebrows or other areas around the eyes, or on inflamed or broken skin. Their effect lasts about 7 days.
Lee Pharmaceuticals (www.leepharmaceuticals.com) sells the Bikini Bare Depilatory line of cream, foam, and lotion depilatories, special applicators, and bleaches to use after the depilatories. The products run about $5 to $8 while other products, including Nair and Neet, cost about $4 for 4 ounces, which is enough to smooth your calves two to three times.

Some depilatories increase acne and the occurrence of ingrown hairs. Scrubbing the skin with a Loofa sponge (natural sponge) in the shower is said to stop any infected or ingrown hairs from developing.