Depilatory cream: how it works, how to use

In search of an effective and convenient way of depilation, women have to try many different means. If earlier the razor was the most popular, today there are many other easy-to-use methods in the arsenal of beauties. A good alternative to the mechanical method of removing excess vegetation is chemical depilation with creams. The only thing that stops you from using it is concerns about the safety of the cream itself. Understanding how depilatory cream works will help you understand this issue.

How it works

After watching commercials, it seems that the product, after being applied to the skin, destroys the bulb and the hair falls out. Viewers are assured that hair does not grow for three days, some argue that it does not grow for a week. But users claim that hair still begins to grow almost immediately after depilation. The fact is that the chemicals included in the cream destroy only the hair shaft, or more precisely, keratin (the mechanically strong protein that makes up the hair).

The principle of action is as follows: they weaken the connection between the protein chains inside the hair. The root does not suffer from the cream at all. The hair follicle remains intact and the hair begins to grow quietly after its outer part is removed. This leads to the fact that after such a procedure, the hair still grows. In order to reduce the intensity of their growth and prevent the rapid appearance of unpleasant stubble, manufacturers introduce special ingredients into the formula of creams. These can be various herbal extracts, Ussuri hops, soybeans, and other additives of plant and chemical origin. They affect the hair follicle and slow down hair growth. An example of a cream that slows down hair growth is. If you want to get rid of hair completely, then you need to pay attention to.

The video describes how the depilatory cream works:

How to improve efficiency

Hair is made up mainly of keratin. This is its protein framework. Sodium or potassium thioglycolic salt, which is part of the depilation cream, has a destructive effect on it. During the depilation procedure, these ingredients destroy or melt the hair structure. Basically, the cream acts like a regular razor. Only the blade cuts the vegetation, and the cream dissolves it. But the hair follicle remains intact in any case.

Several groups are distinguished in the line of depilation creams:

universal creams;
hypoallergenic formulations for delicate skin;
creams for coarse hair;
products with the effect of skin care.

They are all designed for use on specific areas of the skin and have different exposure times. The shorter the exposure time of the cream on the skin, the higher the concentration of chemicals in its composition.

Cosmetologists use professional depilation creams. They differ significantly in their composition from conventional products. Among the ingredients of these creams are proteolytic enzymes such as:

papain;
trypsin;
chymotrypsin.

The technology for using such products differs from conventional depilation with a cream. The skin with the applied composition is heated with infrared rays. This procedure can be replaced with a silicone band. As a result, the cream penetrates the follicle and destroys the bulb. This leads to the cessation of hair growth. Such depilation is carried out mainly in the salon. They have a significant drawback - high cost.

on the video: how to do depilation with cream

Advantages

Depilatory cream has a lot in common with shaving. Nevertheless, this method has a number of significant advantages, thanks to which it is becoming more and more popular.

Simplicity. The procedure can be successfully carried out at home: it does not require special skills and additional equipment.
Painlessness. This is the most gentle depilation method.
Price... Depilation with cream is relatively inexpensive. Compared to laser depilation, the price of the cream is much lower. But depilation with a razor or sugaring at home will be cheaper.
Low invasiveness... The skin during the procedure is not subject to mechanical stress. This makes it possible to avoid cuts and other micro-injuries, like when shaving.
Efficiency. It is possible to quickly remove hair from large areas.
Ease of use. There are creams and foams that can be used in the shower. They do not need to remove hair and cream with a spatula. It is enough to wash off excess vegetation with a stream of water.
The hair structure does not change. New hair does not get thicker or thicker.

Minuses

Depilatory creams, like other chemicals, can cause an allergic reaction. Careful adherence to the instructions will help to avoid such manifestations. But if you decide to use a depilatory cream for the first time, test the sensitivity of your skin to the action of its components. To do this, apply the cream to the bend of the elbow, hold for 5-10 minutes. After 24 hours, check the condition of the skin in this place. If everything is in order, you can start depilation.

The video tells about the pros and cons of depilation with cream:

But these are not the only disadvantages of this popular remedy. The disadvantages also include:

Short-term effect. After a few days, the grown hair becomes visible on the skin, and the procedure has to be repeated.
Uneven hair removal. Chemicals act on the hair body along its entire length. When removed with a spatula, hair can break not near the skin itself, but at any height. It will take longer for the structure of thick hair to break down. All this can lead to the appearance of areas with hair debris.
High acid-base rate of the cream... The depilatory composition has a pH of 12. This is twice the natural acidity level of the skin. The cream can lead to chemical burns and micro-trauma, especially if the recommended exposure time is increased.
Ingrown hair is not excluded.
The aesthetic effect does not always meet expectations. Black spots remain on the skin, as the cream does not act on the hair roots.
Depressing effect on skin and nails. The procedure must be carried out with gloves and avoid getting the cream on tissues containing keratin (nails and hair). Do not apply the cream to the mucous membrane and skin areas near the eyes.
High requirements for the storage conditions of the cream. With an incorrect temperature regime, the effectiveness of the product is greatly reduced.
Bad smell. It lasts for quite a long time - from several hours to a day, it is difficult to disguise it with cosmetics.
A large number of contraindications.

But, despite such a large list of disadvantages, this depilation method deserves attention. However, it can only be used by those who have no contraindications, which include:

pregnancy and breastfeeding;
damage to the skin;
skin diseases (dermatitis of various nature, acne, eczema, herpes, boils, psoriasis);
benign skin lesions (warts, papillomas, moles, fibromas);
oncology.

How to use or how to apply correctly

Correct use of the cream will leave the skin silky smooth. For the procedure you will need:

depilation cream;
scapula (usually comes with the cream);
Body Scrub;
shower gel;
moisturizer after depilation.

After passing the cream sensitivity test, you can start the procedure. Depilation technology consists of several stages. There are many different creams available today. , - just a few of them.

Mode of application:

Steam the skin by taking a bath or shower.
Remove dead skin cells and oil particles with a shower gel. Soap cannot be used. It dries the skin too much.
Apply a scrub, treat the areas that will be depilated with it.
Remove scrub residues and dry your skin with a towel.
Apply a thin layer of cream to the skin.
Wait until the cream works (the explication time is indicated on the packaging with the cream). Usually creams are designed for 5-15 minutes.
Remove the cream along with the softened hair with a plastic or rubber spatula.
You can use a sponge or towel instead of a spatula. Then the hair is removed in a circular motion.
Wash off the remnants of the product, dry the skin with a towel.
Apply a moisturizing and anti-inflammatory cream, gel or mousse. It should be free from alcohol and strong acids.
You can use products that slow down hair growth.

The procedure can be repeated no earlier than 72 hours later. Also, it is not recommended to go out in the sun for 24 hours. Remember, a high-quality cream, and adherence to the technology of its use will help to avoid many troubles. At the same time, the price does not always play the main role. In the inexpensive segment, there are very decent depilation products.

If you use Veet depilatory cream, then instructions for its use are described.

Comparison with other species

Depilatory creams are often compared to shaving. They really have a lot in common. Differences in the methods of action - the razor removes hair mechanically, cream - chemical. Both methods do not affect the hair follicle.

Shaving – the cheapest way to depilate... It makes it possible to quickly treat large areas of the skin. There is no need to wait for the cream to work, and the result is the same as that of the cream. But the cream has an important advantage.

Before surgery, surgeons always remove hair from the skin where the incision will be made. This is due to high requirements for sterility. If earlier only a razor was used for depilation, today it is almost completely replaced by creams. They allow you to remove hair without damaging the skin. And any cut is an open path for infection.

The video tells which is better than a razor or depilatory cream:

Electric depilators also work quickly and efficiently, but the sensation from using them is not pleasant. The depilator pulls out hairs and does it quickly and efficiently. If you use an electric depilator regularly, the skin gets used to it and the pain is almost not felt. But it all depends on your pain threshold.

Shugaring, threading and waxing are also painful procedures... But the result of such depilation looks quite attractive: there are no black dots, and you can do it at home. After the procedure, reddening of the skin may be observed, which quickly disappear, especially if you use special means. How to do wax depilation at home is described in detail. In the case of wax depilation, traces of wax may remain after the procedure. If you are faced with such a problem, then read,. Can be used for depilation in the bikini area.

All types of hair removal are more affordable than salon hair removal with electric current and laser treatment. A combination of several methods gives good results. Initially, hair removal can be done in the salon, and then the skin is kept in order with a cream. By the way, this method is used not only by women, but also by men. is also popular.