The word "depilatory" can refer to a type of hair-removal product, but it also embraces specific hair-removal techniques. Of the many ways to get rid of facial and body hair, depilation is one of the quickest and least expensive--but it also gives the most temporary results.
About Depilation
"Depilatory" is frequently used to refer to an over-the-counter cream, gel or lotion that is applied to the body to remove hair, but this process falls under the general category of hair depilation. When you depilate, you use a process, tool or product that removes hairs right down to the point where they poke out of the skin. Applying topical depilatory creams, shaving with traditional hand razors (or electric razors) and buffing are three ways that you depilate hair.
Shaving
The most common form of depilation is shaving, which employs a razor blade to crop off the hair at the level of the skin. Shaving doesn't cost a lot of money, and it can be done at home with only warm water and shaving cream. The downsides to this method of depilation are razor burn, nicks and especially ingrown hairs, which are the result of a "close shave" (using a razor with multiple blades and shaving against the growth of the hair). This method of depilation works best when the skin has first been dampened with warm water and the razor's blades remain sharp.
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory cream, gel or lotion is simply the chemical version of shaving with a razor blade, as the ingredients in the depilatory dissolve the protein structure of the hair (keratin), after which they are wiped off or rinsed away. Depilatories are also relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at most drug stores and markets. Most people use them on the legs, underarm and bikini line, but there are also depilatories made for the face. Depilatory creams have their downsides--they are messy to use and they can have an unpleasant odor. People with sensitive skin might find the chemicals in depilatory creams too irritating. Women with coarse hair may find that cream depilatories don't work for them. Ingrown hairs are less likely to occur with depilatory creams.
Buffing
Rationing during World War II made creature comforts such as razors hard to get, so women resorted to removing hair by buffing it away with sandpaper. Although an uncommon method of getting rid of hair, some women use buffing (friction) to remove hair on the legs. Some use fine sandpaper, but there are also mitts sold expressly for this purpose. The sandpaper or mitt is applied to the skin and hair buffed away using brisk, light circular motions. Women with fine leg hair typically see better results using this particular depilatory technique than those with coarse leg hair. Buffing can cause the skin to become irritated, and this technique shouldn't be used on the face, arms or bikini line.
Results
Hair grows back quickly after use of any sort of cream depilatory or depilation technique, according to HairFacts.com. Hair can sometimes grow back after a few days, but hair regrowth might also occur within hours of removing it. Women with dark, coarse body hair may not get the best benefits from depilation; even after the closest shave, a "shadow" of hair growing right under the skin's surface is often visible.
Member Comments