People have been removing unwanted hair for centuries. Depilatory creams are a modern way to do this, but hair removal dates back to ancient Egypt.
Many methods of removing unwanted body hair can be unpleasant: Waxing can be painful. Shaving can produce tiny nicks on your skin, causing soreness and irritation.
Fortunately, depilatory creams can offer pain-free hair removal that you can use at home.
What Are Depilatory Creams?
These creams are thick substances that you spread on your skin.
After applying a depilatory cream, you have to leave it on for a few minutes to weaken each strand of hair. After this, you can wipe the cream off painlessly, leaving your skin soft and smooth.
The main active ingredient in hair removal creams is thioglycolic acid. This is added in the form of various salts like potassium and calcium thioglycolates, as well as pure thioglycolic acid. Together with other ingredients, these acids break down the keratin, a protein naturally found in the hair.
You can use depilatory creams to remove hair on almost every area of your body. Some creams are specially made for sensitive places, such as your face and bikini area.
Your hair will grow back quickly after you remove it with a depilatory cream. New hair will usually appear within a few days.
What Are the Benefits of Depilatory Creams?
Depilatory creams and shaving are both pain-free options for at-home hair removal. Both methods remove hair at the skin’s surface.
Compared to shaving, depilatory creams don’t irritate the skin and leave fewer skin lesions or papules. The irritation from hair removal cream usually fades faster than the small nicks and cuts you may get from a blade.
Other benefits of depilatory creams include:
- Easy to use: These are usually foams or creams you apply, then wipe off. There is no learning curve to use them.
- Affordable: It doesn’t cost much to buy them. They are available at most drugstores and pharmacies.
- DIY method: You can generally do this yourself without outside help. Just make sure you do a patch test first.
How to Use Depilatory Creams Safely
Do a patch test. Before using a depilatory cream, make sure that your skin won’t react badly to it. Always test it on a small patch of your skin before using any such cream on a large part of your body. In general, if you feel a burning sensation while the cream is on, rinse it off with cool water immediately.
Make sure it’s the right one. Use a cream that indicates it can be used on the area of your unwanted hair. Some formulas are stronger than others and may be too harsh for sensitive areas. Don’t use it on irritated or damaged skin.
Time it. Most hair removal creams are meant to be left on for about 3-10 minutes. Read the instructions on the packaging of your cream to find out exactly how long you need to leave it on.
Rinse it off. After the indicated time, wipe the cream off, and rinse your skin with cool water. It’s normal for the skin to feel sensitive at first. This feeling should go away within a few hours.
Aftercare. You can use a soothing cream afterward to soothe any irritation. If your skin is dry, use an unscented moisturizing cream on the area. Importantly, don’t use products that are perfumed.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Depilatory Creams?
Chemical burns. Depilatory creams use chemicals to melt the hair. This means there’s a possibility of you getting a chemical burn.
First-, second-, or third-degree burns can happen when hair removal cream is left on for a longer period. It’s most likely to happen in the groin area because the skin there is sensitive.
Chemical burns are painful and need medical help. To prevent these, make sure you leave the cream on for the right amount of time and use it on the type of skin the cream is meant for.
If you feel any discomfort or burning when using depilatory creams, wipe the cream off right away and rinse your skin with cold water.
Smell. You may notice that depilatory creams have a specific smell, often similar to that of rotten eggs. This is due to the chemical reaction between the cream and your hair.
Manufacturers are trying to find a way to change the way hair removal cream smells. They also try to mask the odor by adding more pleasant ones.
Other downsides to depilatory creams include:
Hyperpigmentation. Creams can do this by skin irritation or cause chemical burns, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Ingredients like calcium hydroxide can irritate the skin, especially in darker skin tones. Others, like thioglycolate, can also irritate your skin and cause hyperpigmentation.
You may also see hyperpigmentation after using depilatory creams over a long period of time.
Temporary effects. Using a depilatory cream is a temporary solution. Your hair will grow back within a week. Remember the cream is only melting your hair and not destroying the hair follicle.
Ingrown hairs. This is usually less common than other hair removal methods, such as shaving or plucking your hair, but depilatory creams can sometimes affect your hair follicles, causing your hair to grow inward.
Sensitivity to the sun. Sometimes the area where you apply the cream can become sensitive to the sun or UV rays. Make sure you are using sunscreen on these areas to avoid getting sunburn.
Who Should Not Use Depilatory Creams?
You may not want to use depilatory creams if you have:
- Sensitive skin
- Skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis
- Using retinoids or retinols (they can make your skin sensitive)
- Sunburn
- Acne
Takeaways
Depilatory creams use thioglycolates to chemically dissolve hair for painless, at‑home removal, but the effect is temporary — hair typically returns within about three to seven days.
Always do a patch test, pick a formula labelled for the area, time it exactly, and rinse it off if you feel burning. Also, soothe your skin with an unscented moisturizer and protect it from the sun.
Risks of depilatory creams include: possible chemical burns, irritation, post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation, odor, and occasional ingrown hairs. You should avoid these creams if you have sensitive or damaged skin, active skin conditions (eczema, rosacea, psoriasis), sunburn, or are using retinoids.
Depilatory Creams FAQs
Does hair grow back thicker after depilatory cream?
No. Depilatory creams only weaken or melt your hair. They do not change the structure of your hair, affect your follicles, or alter the growth pattern of your hair.
How long do depilatory creams last?
Depilatory creams will keep your hair away for a week, depending on the thickness of your hair. Because the thioglycolic acid breaks down your hair and makes it weaker. Your hair may regrow faster than with waxing, but slower than with shaving. Most people will reapply the cream in three to five days.
Is depilatory cream safe during pregnancy?
Generally, yes. Although depilatory cream does contain thioglycolic acid, it does not pose a threat. That's because the cream does not stay on your skin for long, and the amount is low. There is also no specific research on its absorption in the body.
