5 Best Hair Removal Creams for Women

Let’s face it: shaving can be pretty annoying. Not only does it produce short-lived results, but it usually comes with pesky nicks, bumps, and razor burns, as well. Waxing and laser treatments give a longer-lasting effect, but setting up appointments and driving to a salon can be inconvenient and expensive.

Removing body and facial hair is, without a doubt, one of the most time-consuming aspects of our beauty routines. But for many of us, letting our hair grow wild and free just isn’t an option.

If you’re tired of shaving but you don’t want to go through the hassle (and pain!) of waxing and laser treatments, using hair removal creams is the way to go. Also called depilatory creams, they provide a quick, affordable, and convenient way to effectively remove hair all over your body.

Finding the best hair removal cream for your grooming needs can be truly life-changing. Can’t wait to enjoy smooth, fuzz-free legs? Read on!

Do Hair Removal Creams and Razors Work the Same Way?

No, they don’t. When you use a razor to shave, you’re cutting off body hair above the surface of the skin. This results in sharp stubbles, which explains why your legs can feel like sandpaper a few days after shaving.

Hair removal creams work differently. They contain chemicals that break down the internal structure of hair—therefore completely dissolving the hair strands instead of just cutting them above the surface of your skin. These chemicals are usually strong alkalines like sodium thioglycolate and strontium sulfide. Once the hair strands are dissolved, they turn into a jelly-like substance that can be easily rinsed or wiped off.

Pros and Cons of Using a Hair Removal Cream

Pros:

• It works fast. Hair removal creams provide one of the fastest ways to remove body and facial hair. It will take you no more than 15 minutes to get rid of hair on your legs, for example. Although there is a brief waiting time involved, you’re free to do whatever you want while waiting for the product to do its magic.
• It’s easy and convenient. Apply, wait, remove, and you’re done! Using a hair removal cream is a no-brainer. Unlike shaving, there is no skill involved in this process. You won’t have to set appointments and travel to the waxing salon or laser clinic, either.
• It’s cheap. One can or bottle of hair removal cream should last you several uses. Countless affordable options are available at your local drugstore, too. Whatever your budget may be, it’s not impossible to find a hair removal cream that will agree with your bank account.

Cons:

• It can smell weird. If you’ve used a hair removal cream in the past, you know that they have a distinct scent. It’s not an offensive odor, but it’s not something we’d call pleasant, either. To be fair, newer products with improved formulas have managed to minimize the pungent smell associated with older depilatories. If you’re really concerned about odor, we recommend that you go for a fragranced product.
• Hair isn’t removed from the root. The result you get from a hair removal cream lasts longer than that of shaving. However, since you’re not removing hair from the root, you should expect a faster regrowth period compared to waxing and using epilators.
• Strong chemicals are involved. Hair removal creams rely on these chemicals to break down protein bonds inside the hair. As such, the average depilatory cream may be too harsh for sensitive skin. If you’re particularly prone to reacting poorly to strong chemicals, go for products that are made specifically for delicate skin—they do exist.

Choosing the Best Hair Removal Cream for Yourself

At this point, you’re probably itching to give hair removal creams a try. The recommendations we’ve given above should be able to help you decide which particular product is right for your needs. But if you’re still undecided, consider the following factors when choosing the right match.

1. Your skin type

It’s always smart to take your skin type into consideration when buying a depilatory. Different options are available to you whether you have dry, normal, or sensitive skin. Some creams come with moisturizing ingredients like natural butters and Vitamin E to help with dryness. Sensitive-skinned gals, on the other hand, will benefit from soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera.

2. The type of hair removal cream

There are hair removal creams that are specifically formulated for different purposes. When choosing a product, think about where you intend to use it. Are you trying to remove body hair or facial hair? Your target area matters a lot when choosing the correct formula.

3. Hair thickness

The thicker your hair is, the stronger the hair removal cream needs to be. Coarse body hair can be stubborn and challenging to remove. If you suspect that regular hair removal creams may not do it for you, look for products that are formulated specifically for thick hair.

4. Scent

Hair removal creams have a reputation for being pungent. This might be true for older formulations, but newer varieties have a more tolerable scent. Some even have added fragrance to help mask the strong smell of depilatories.

5. Waiting time

Hair removal creams are more convenient to use than razors and shaving creams, but they still require some time to melt off your hair. Different products will have different waiting times, so make sure to check the label when you’re shopping.

6. Price

Hair removal creams, in general, are pretty affordable. You can even score better deals at your local drugstore. However, they do vary in terms of how long each product lasts. Some creams require that you apply a thick layer to work, while others only require a small amount of product.

That said, it’s important to check both the retail price and the longevity of each product you’re considering. Reading reviews before you buy should help.

How to Perform a Patch Test

Hair removal creams can trigger irritation or allergic reactions for some people. To minimize the chances of experiencing these reactions, doing a patch test is important. A patch test will let you see if you’re going to have any sort of negative reaction to a product.

Even if you’ve used hair removal creams in the past, it’s important to perform a patch test every time you’re trying out a new brand. Again, these products use strong chemicals. Better safe than sorry!

To perform a patch test, pick a part of the body that is not usually sensitive. Many people perform patch tests on the inside of their elbows or their legs. Apply a small amount of the hair removal cream to your chosen area and leave it on for as long as the recommended waiting time. Next, rinse the area and pat it dry.

If the product is safe for you to use, there should be no burning sensation upon application and throughout the entire duration of the recommended waiting time. But it doesn’t end there. You must also wait several hours to ensure that your skin wouldn’t have a delayed adverse reaction to the cream. At least 12 hours of waiting is ideal.

If you didn’t experience any sort of burning, itching, or abnormal redness, you’re good to go. If, on the other hand, adverse reactions appear, err on the side of caution and toss the cream. You’re better of purchasing a milder product than taking an unnecessary risk.

Is Pain Normal While Using a Depilatory?

You might experience a slight tingling when you use a hair removal cream. This is normal, and it indicates that the product is working.

However, you should never be in pain. If your skin feels like it’s burning, immediately rinse off the cream under cold running water. Pain is a sign that your skin might be too sensitive for the product you’re using. Another possible cause is leaving the cream on your skin longer than the recommended time. You could also be allergic to one of the ingredients.

Whatever the reason may be, resist the urge to ignore the pain and discomfort you’re feeling. Otherwise, you might end up with nasty chemical burns.

How to Use Hair Removal Creams Effectively

Different products will come with different usage instructions. Because of variations in the formula, you can’t treat all hair removal creams the same.

That being said, the number-one thing you can do to ensure great results is to diligently read the manufacturer’s instructions. Some products will require you to wait longer than others. Likewise, some cream types will require a thicker application.

This is not the time to experiment—especially if we’re talking about removing pubic or facial hair. However, in spite of having unique instructions per product, all hair removal creams will benefit from the following practices.

1. Trim excessive hair growth before applying the cream. If it’s been a while since your last hair removal session, there’s probably a considerable amount of hair growth going on (no judgments here—we can relate). For bushy hair, it’s best to give your hair a quick trim before going in with a depilatory. Otherwise, the cream might not be able to completely dissolve away the hairs within the allotted time.
2. Use the appropriate hair removal cream for your body parts. Do NOT use body cream for sensitive areas like your face, as it may be too harsh for delicate facial skin. You might also want to avoid going the other way around, as a facial hair removal product may be ineffective for thicker body hair.
3. Do not apply hair remover cream inside the labia area. When treating your pubic region, it’s best to avoid applying hair removal cream on your genital area altogether. Doing so will almost certainly give you a chemical burn.
4. Apply the cream gently. Do not rub the depilatory into your skin. Likewise, do not rub it off after use. Instead, rinse the area gently or wipe it off with a soft cloth.
5. Do not leave the cream on your skin for longer than instructed. Going beyond the recommended time leaves you susceptible to burning and irritation.
6. Moisturize and protect your skin thereafter. Hair removal creams can be drying, so moisturizing afterward will keep your skin happy. Your sparkling new, hair-free body can also extra sensitive to the sun. We shouldn’t even be telling you this, but don’t skip the sunscreen!