Some people just have more hair than they`d like. Long, flowing tresses may be appealing, but a full body of hair -- on men or women -- may not be. If you`re feeling too hirsute and looking for a way to remove unwanted patches of body hair, hair removal creams may be the answer. Many people remove body hair by shaving, but the effect of razors may be too temporary. It can also be challenging to reach some of those difficult spots, like your back, and shaving too often in one spot can cause irritation and make you more susceptible to cuts. Other hair removal options include lasers and electrolysis, but these methods are time-consuming, expensive and perhaps too permanent. They also often carry many potential side effects. Depilatories, more commonly known as hair removal creams, offer a reasonable alternative. Depilatories work by breaking down the hair`s protein structure so that the hair comes out of the skin easily when you rub off the cream. Wipe on, wipe off -- it sounds easy, right? Hair removal creams may seem like a pretty simple solution, but as with any skin treatment, you should know your products before you run out to buy them and start slathering them on. Whether or not hair removal creams will work for you depends on your hair and skin type. The body part on which you`re applying cream and the amount of hair you have are factors, too. You should consider how often you are willing to apply the cream, as most people need to use depilatories once a week. Hair removal creams also have potential side effects, some of which can be painful.  

 

Before you put something on your skin, you might want to know what`s in it and what it does. The term "depilatory" actually refers to any method for removing hair. The hair removal creams discussed in this article are called chemical depilatories because they contain a few different alkaline chemicals, such as sodium thioglycolate, strontium sulfide, and calcium thioglycolate, that react with the hair on your body. So what exactly do these chemicals do? Depilatories are usually available as creams, but they also can come as gels, lotions, aerosols or roll-ons. Once rubbed or sprayed onto the skin, the formulation breaks down the chemical bonds that hold the protein structure of your hair together. These proteins are known as keratins. Once a depilatory dissolves the keratin, the hair becomes weak enough to fall loose from its follicle. The resulting substance is a bit like jelly, and it`s possible to rub or wash off patches of hair with ease. The combination of calcium thioglycolate and sodium hydroxide in most hair removal creams is the main chemical reaction that usually causes such a strong and often unpleasant odor. Some creams, however, now contain additional ingredients that mask the sulfuric scent, but it`s important to bear in mind that even these fragrances can be chemical irritants. To choose the right cream, it`s important to consider the type of skin you have. If you have especially sensitive skin, you should consult your doctor or a dermatologist before picking out a product. When using hair removal creams or any topical ointment, it`s a good idea to test a small patch of skin before applying the substance to a large area. This way, if you do have a reaction, it`s localized and won`t affect large areas.  

 

The foremost benefit of hair removal cream, of course, is the removal of unwanted hair. However, there are several ways to remove body hair, so it helps to compare depilatories to other methods. Consumers often look for cheap and easy fixes to just about every dilemma. Hair removal creams can be both. Prices range from $4 to $15 for most chemical depilatories, so you should have little trouble finding an affordable option. Moreover, if you pick a cream that doesn`t work well for you, you haven`t wasted a great deal of money, and you can probably afford to try another brand. It also doesn`t get much easier than spreading the cream over a patch of hair, waiting a few minutes, and then using a washcloth soaked in warm water to rub off the cream. Unlike waxing, this easy method is also pain-free if you follow the directions and avoid sensitive areas. Hair removal creams come in roll-on, rub-on and gel forms, each of which reduces the mess associated with the application. An added benefit to using hair removal creams is that when you rub off the cream and hair, you`re also exfoliating your skin. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that build up on the surface of your skin -- when you`ve finished rubbing, your skin will be not only hairless but also glowing, because you`ve revealed new cells. Finally, and most importantly, chemical depilatories get under your skin. They remove hair from just below the surface, so you won`t feel stubble as soon. Hair removal creams usually get rid of hair for a week, which is less time than waxing but more than shaving. Studies have also shown that using creams can slow hair growth in affected areas.  

 

Aside from the smell, you still might face a few small problems and one potentially big problem with hair removal creams. First, you might make a mess. Creams can be messy before they start working, and getting rid of the cream plus broken-down hair is a challenge. Another problem results from the uneven application. If you don`t spread the cream on smoothly over an entire area, such as your leg, then you might end up with a patchy look in which some spots are hairless and others are not. The potentially big problem associated with hair removal creams has to do with chemistry. Depilatory creams contain harsh chemicals, and the alkalis that dissolve hair can irritate or burn skin and cause allergic reactions. Just like hair, the skin contains keratin, the protein targeted by alkaline chemicals. When using a hair removal cream, make sure that you follow the directions and read any warnings on the product. You should conduct a patch skin test at least 24 hours before applying the cream over a large area, especially if you have not used hair removal cream before. The skin test will indicate whether you have a reaction or are allergic to the chemicals in the cream. Depilatory users have reported suffering from burns, blisters, rashes, stinging sensations and skin peeling [source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration]. If redness or itching develops in the application area, throw out the cream and try something else. In the event of a chemical burn, you should wash the area thoroughly and remove all traces of the cream, then wrap the affected area in a loose, clean, dry cloth. You may want to consult a physician for further treatment. If your skin shows no reaction to the cream, then examine the target area for cuts, scrapes and any other surface damage. Don`t use a depilatory if you`ve shaved recently. You may have razor nicks and cuts that you can`t see. If the cream gets into them, it will irritate your skin. Depilatories should not be used around the eyes, including on the eyebrows. Remember, above all, that hair removal creams are topical ointments meant for the surface of your skin.  

 

Out of curiosity, I decided to get Brazilian Back for my husband to try out. Now my husband doesn`t have a big hair back, but he does have a few hairs that could use some removing. For those who don`t know, Brazilian Back is an award-winning, first to market, user-friendly, back hair removal system for men featuring a patent-pending delivery system that eliminates the need for razors, waxing or assistance from another person. As far as the actual product goes; I do like the actual cream that comes in this kit, it smells better than most hair removal products. Also, it's liquidy enough that it spreads well yet does not run all over. Where it was applied it removed the hair. Now the applicator is quite different than other products. It's like a small "cape" that you stick to the wall(not sure how you're supposed to use it more than once) using pre-attached 3M strip thingy`s. Then you're supposed to put the cream onto it and spread it around by folding the "cape" onto itself and running your hand across to smear it around. This left half the cream in the folded over part, and some places had none! I used the back of the cream tube to fill in as best I could but it still wasn`t great. Next, you`re supposed to step back against the cape(brace yourself its cold!) and tie two strips around your neck. Then using two other strips towards the bottom of the cape your suppose to rub the cape(kinda like drying your back with a towel) to apply the cream. This doesn`t really work because the fabric is too thick and doesn`t touch half the surface of my husbands back. We tried to roll the cape along his back by leaning against the wall and doing a rolling motion but could feel the cape folding over itself in spots. At this point we gave up, he removed the cape and looked in the mirror to see blobs of cream in spots and no cream in others. It removed hair where it touched, but your best bet is to have someone else rub the cream on for you rather than using the cape for best results.  

 

Other than the annoying applicator, the product works great. Maybe we just need to do a better job spreading it? Either way, the product works, the application is a pain. Would I purchase it? Because of the results of the cream, yes, I would recommend it. These creams hardly work or you gag to death before you can finish letting it set, so for that reason alone is good enough to give this a recommendation as you don`t have that issue. The only way you`ll know for sure though is to give it a try for yourself!