Why and When Depilatories Make Sense…
For women, hair removal creams - also called “depilatories” – have been a preferred method of hair removal for centuries. In the 19th century, women used a mixture of walnuts and white wine; it wasn’t until the 1920′s that hair removal creams were introduced. But what really brought depilatories into the mainstream was Nair. Discovered by Dr. Kenneth Nair in the 1940′s, Nair’s ease of use became the standard female hair removal cream.
But times have changed. While Nair remains a popular depilatory, several others have gathered recent attention. Choosing the correct hair removal cream depends on a number of factors, which we’ll outline in this article.
Nair: A Trusted Brand for Hair Removal
Nair has been used successfully since the 1940′s.
How does Nair work?
Nair is an over-the-counter chemical depilatory which dissolves hair protein (called keratin).The active ingredients include sodium or calcium thioglycolate, which are responsible for dissolving the keratin.
How long does Nair take to apply?
Nair can be applied directly on the skin and left for 3 – 6 minutes. After that, simply wipe the cream off with a cloth (some versions come with their own).
How long do results last?
Results with Nair last between 3 – 5 days, making it slightly more effective than shaving. Nair should not be used more than once every three days (72 hours).
Health concerns?
Nair has decades of safe usage, however, like all depilatories, leaving it on the skin beyond recommended times can can redness, irritation and mild burning. Some people suffer allergic reactions – even veteran users can develop them – so it’s advised to test Nair on a small portion of your body first.
Does Nair work for men, too?
Nair works equally well for men and women. There is a specific product line just for men, who have reported similar results. Read our article on male hair removal creams for an in-depth analysis from a man’s point-of-view.
Veet Depilatory Cream: FDA Approved
Veet is an over-the-counter hair removal cream for men and women.
How does Veet work?
Like Nair, Veet is a chemical depilatory.The active ingredients include thioglycolic acid and potassium hydroxide, which create potassium glycolate. Potassium glycolate is responsible for dissolving the proteins in hair.
Once the cream is applied, use the included spatula to wipe the skin clean.
How long does Veet take to apply?
Veet hair removal cream should be applied for three to six minutes. After one or two minutes you can jump in the shower, wait another two minutes then begin to wipe it off using the included spatula. Veet contains an ingredient similar to water-proof mascara, so it will not wash away in the shower.
Note: for best results, apply Veet when skin is clean and dry. Do not use soap on areas treated with Veet for at least an hour; soap can cause irritation on recently treated skin.
How long do results last?
Veet removes hair for 3 – 5 days. Do not reapply Veet to areas for at least 72 hours.
Health concerns?
Like Nair, leaving Veet on the skin longer than six minutes can cause some burning. Allergic reactions to Veet are possible, so test it on a small area first.
Does Veet work for men, too?
Yes, Veet equally well for men’s hair removal. As of this writing, there are no specific product lines designed for men, but standard Veet does work well.
Vaniqa Female Hair Reduction Cream: Prescription-Only, FDA Approved
How does Vaniqa work?
Vaniqa is an FDA approved facial hair reduction cream for women which has been clinically proven to reduce hair growth. The active ingredient is eflornithine HCl. It is designed for facial hair only.
Note: Vaniqa does not remove hair. It prevents hair from growing. If you choose to use Vaniqa you still need to use another form of facial hair removal.
How long does Vaniqa take to apply?
Vaniqa should be applied twice a day. Unlike Nair and Veet, you do not wash Vaniqa off. Vaniqa can be used in conjunction with hair removal creams and has shown to improve results with laser treatment for hair removal.
How long do results last?
Because Vaniqa does not remove hair, most people don’t see significant reduction until four to eight weeks of treatment. The main benefit of Vaniqa is the long-term reduction of facial hair, which makes hair removal easier and less costly over time.
Health concerns?
Vaniqa has been thoroughly tested with positive results. It is FDA approved as the only hair reduction cream currently on the market. Still, Vaniqa is prescription-only, and should be reviewed with your doctor before beginning treatment.
Does Vaniqa work for men, too?
Vaniqa has not been tested for male facial hair removal, and therefore cannot be recommended for men. Read more on the safety of hair removal creams for men.
