How They Work: A depilatory is a strong, alkaline based cream or liquid which when spread on hair, slowly breaks down hairs until they turn jelly-like. They work by reacting with the structure of the protein in the hair, and once the hair dissolves it can be wiped away from the surface of the skin.
How Long They Last: 4 days – 2 weeks
Pros: Depilatories work quickly, the whole process takes about 5-10 minutes, and can be wiped off with a warm towel. Depilatories are inexpensive, and are readily available at grocery and drugstores. You can apply them on your own on the legs, underarms, and bikini area. There are some formulas which can be applied on the face.
Cons: Depilatories have a strong odor, from the chemicals that composite it. It can also be messy to apply to the skin. The FDA’s Office of Cosmetics has received consumer reports of blisters, stinging, burns, and rashes from using depilatories and other types of chemical hair removers. Those with sensitive skin are epecially exposed to having an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the preparation, which may cause inflammation or skin rash.
Tips: For best results, carefully read product instructions, and be careful to only apply the product the suggested amount of time. Before using a depilatory on pubic hair, carefully read product description and find one which explicitly sais that it’s safe to use on the genitals or bikini area.