If you’re thinking about trying depilatory creams as a way to remove unwanted hair from the body, knowing exactly the pros and cons of hair removal creams will make your choice a lot easier.
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My Picks for Hair Removal Creams
1. Top Pick: Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream
Veet is well-known for their depilatory creams, which are some of the most popular. They’re also great for both women and men, easy to use without irritating the skin, the price is pretty good, and the smell not so unpleasant. In 3 to 6 minutes you’re all done.
2. Just as Good: Nair Cocoa Butter Hair Remover Lotion
Nair is another manufacturer of some of the best depilatory creams that work for all types of hairs and are used by both men and women. And they’re just as easy to use and as fast acting.
3. For Face: Avon Skin so Soft Facial Hair Removal Cream
Avon has decided to make one of the best hair removal creams for the face. If you don’t want to try facial razors for women but you still want to remove facial hair in a painless manner, this is it.
Pros and Cons of Hair Removal Creams Guide
What are you going to find out?
That hair removal creams are painless and that’s a big pro. That they’re easy to use if you follow the instructions as they’re written on the package.
On the cons side of the pros and cons of hair removal cream ensemble, we have the fact that the hairs grow back in 3-5 days. Moreover, you can only use depilatory creams on the bikini line but not on the entire bikini area if you want a Brazilian.
In just a few words, I gave a short sum-up of what you’re learn in this article. Those are really the main points that we’ll now discuss in more detail.
Pro: Depilatory Creams are a Painless Option
In my opinion, this one is the biggest pro in our discussion on pros and cons of hair removal creams.
When it comes to listing all the pros and cons for hair removal creams, mentioning that they are a painless hair removal method is at the top of the list.
That’s the primary reason why women who don’t want to shave and don’t want to feel the pain caused by pulling the hair from the root, choose depilatory creams by default.
The hairs are dissolved in a matter of minutes.
After that, the only thing left to do is to take the spatula or jump directly into the shower and rinse it.
I recommend forgetting about using the spatula because:
- removing the cream together with the dissolved hairs takes too long
- which in turn might lead to irritation in those areas still covered by the cream as minutes pass before you being able to get to them
Don’t forget:
The most important thing to remember when using this method is that you should follow the instructions precisely.
If it says to leave the cream on for 5 to 8 minutes, no matter what you shouldn’t exceed those 8 minutes.
Actually, leaving it on for 7 minutes would be even better.
You might not get the time right from the first attempt but you’re going to catch on pretty quickly.
By jumping into the shower, you remove all the cream at once.
Quick, easy, and not messy at all.
And that’s how you get incredible smooth skin.
For 3 to 5 days.
Con: How Long Do Hair Removal Creams Results Last?
We’ve seen the biggest pro and now let’s see the biggest con for hair removal creams.
This is their biggest disadvantage.
At the same time, it’s also a slight advantage over shaving, which only offers smooth skin for up to 3 days.
Depilatory creams might offer you an extra day.
On average, you will have to apply the cream again in 5 days tops.
That’s the usual time during the summer, when most of our skin is revealed for everyone to see.
During the cold seasons, it’s okay if you get a bit lazy and only remove the unwanted hairs once every 2 weeks or even once a month or maybe not at all until summer comes back around.
Pro: It’s an Easy Method
Anyone can perform this method without encountering any difficulties.
- You just have to apply a layer of cream on the skin.
- After that, you leave it on for whatever time it says on the box. Definitely not more than the time specified in the instructions.
Make sure you follow the instructions carefully.
You mustn’t exceed the maximum number of minutes that you should leave the cream on.
Otherwise you might get burns and irritation.
That’s pretty much the only rule to follow.
- Next, jump in the shower and have the cream go down the drain together with all your unwanted hair.
- Apply a moisturizer or a body lotion or your usual facial cream if you are using depilatory creams to remove your facial hair.
Con: Women with Dark Hair Might be Left with a Dark Shadow
The dark shadow or the dark spots are a very big con against depilatory creams and against razors, as well.
Shaving gives the impression of darkening the skin because the hair roots are still under the skin.
It’s a common sight especially in the underarms and intimate area.
Furthermore, the chemicals contained by the creams can also change the pigmentation of the skin.
If you are affected by skin discoloration, check out my post to see what are your options.
There’s pretty much nothing you can do as long as you stick to either of these two methods.
Pro: Hair Removal Creams are Cheap
Or at least that’s what you might think.
Through simple mathematics, let’s see if that’s really the case.
So, let’s say that you pay an average price of $5 to be hairless on the entire body.
After about 5 days, you have to do it again. So that’s another $5.
If you have 6 sessions per month, which is quite possible during the summer, the total cost is $30.
You can get an epilator for that money.
Or a complete at home waxing kit for hair removal.
But these two methods cause quite the pain in the beginning.
Besides the pain, you also need to be well informed about ingrown hair prevention methods because both waxing and epilation are known to cause ingrown hairs.
Depilatory creams shouldn’t cause ingrown hairs, shaving is the one for that.
Con: The Majority of Depilatory Creams Smell Pretty Bad
There’s a simple reason why things are like that: it’s because of those chemicals.
Since they have to be strong enough in order to be capable of dissolving hairs like they were nothing.
There is actually one very awesome exception: the Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream with Essential Oils has a rose fragrance that makes it quite bearable.
It actually smells nice. The Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream, Sensitive Formula is one of the cheapest hair removal creams that works great.
Check out my post on the best hair removal creams that don’t smell for more amazing products.
What about Using Depilatory Creams on the Bikini Area?
The bikini area is really sensitive.
My personal opinion is that you should use depilatory creams on the bikini line but definitely not on the labia.
The skin might get harmed by the chemicals contained by these creams.
It’s best to be safe than sorry.
But that’s just my personal take on this.
Let me know what you think about all these pros and cons for hair removal creams.
Hair Removal Creams vs. Shaving
These are the two methods that remove unwanted hair without bringing any pain at all.
Yes, you’ve guessed it.
I’m talking about shaving and depilatory creams.
That is the biggest similarity between them.
Just like the biggest similarity when talking about waxing vs. epilation is that both remove the hair from the root, which is painful but leads to a hair-free skin for at least 2 weeks.
How shaving and hair removal creams work:
- one gets rid of unwanted hairs by cutting them at the surface of the skin with a blade
- the other dissolves the hair at the surface of the skin thanks to the chemicals in its composition
I would say that the biggest difference is not in the way in which they remove the unwanted hair, one by dissolving it and one by cutting it.
I dare to say that the biggest difference is that hair removal creams are not as popular as razors.
Would You Pick Depilatory Creams over Razors?
I’ve used razors back in the days when I was incredibly afraid of feeling any pain.
It’s the usual dilemma:
I hated unwanted hairs but I hated pain just as much. That’s when one settles for painless methods: depilatory creams or razors.
So, which one is more convenient?
I tend to think that razors are.
In my opinion, shaving tops hair removal creams because:
- it’s just much more convenient to take a razor and some shaving cream,
- make a few moves up and down,
- and simply have smooth skin in a few minutes by a few strokes of the hand
So these are the pros and cons of hair removal creams and their battle with razors.
With that in mind,
Let’s find out more about hair removal creams and how they work.
Top 4 Depilatory Creams for 2022
The first three are all really good depilatory creams for the body. The last one from Avon is actually the best hair removal cream for face.
1. Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream with Essential Oils
This is the depilatory cream that I was talking about when I said that it doesn’t smell nearly as badly as others. The Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream with Essential Oils has actually a pleasant rose fragrance.
Those essential oils surely help. They also prevent the skin from being damaged during the hair removal.
What about its performance?
Well, it’s a great hair removal product that dissolves the hairs without any problem. It works for both men and women.
Remember: with all depilatory creams, it’s all about following the instructions. Read those carefully before actually applying the cream on the body part that will become hairless in a few minutes.
Plus, never go for the maximum time from the first time. If you have coarse hairs, you will probably end up leaving the cream on for the maximum duration.
Still, on your first attempt, leave it on for at least a minute less than the maximum allowed time.
In the case of the Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream with Essential Oils, leave it on for 3 to 6 minutes, it acts fast.
In the beginning, it would be best to leave it on for 5 minutes and see how it goes.
When the time is up, quickly jump into the shower and remove it. Moisturize after.
The Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream with Essential Oils should not be used to remove facial hair. It’s only for the body.
2. Veet Gel Hair Remover Cream, Sensitive Formula
It contains aloe vera and vitamin E, thus the name Sensitive Formula. It helps moisturize the skin but I would still advise you to use a moisturizer or a body lotion after.
Knowing that, the main reason for purchasing this cream is the great price. The thing with the Sensitive Formula is not that important.
At first, leave the cream on for only 5 minutes and see if the hairs are dissolved or not. You can leave it on for up to 10 minutes but you shouldn’t go as far during your first experience.
Like the depilatory cream above, don’t use it for facial hair removal. You can use it on the legs, arms, underarms, and bikini line.
3. Nair Cocoa Butter Hair Remover Lotion
This is another great option as a hair removal cream for the body. It removes all types of hairs from the neck down.
But, when it comes to removing hairs from the intimate area, use it just on the bikini line. The chemicals might irritate the sensitive skin so, it’s best to stick just to having a smooth bikini line if you’re using hair removal creams.
You can trim the rest or shave.
The price is really good, too. It’s quite a popular depilatory cream.
It’s another one that contains some moisturizing ingredients, cocoa butter and Vitamin E, but you should still moisturize after removing the cream.
You can start by leaving it on for 3-4 minutes if you have sensitive skin. If you’re removing coarse hairs you can leave it on for 5-6 minutes. Don’t exceed 10 minutes.
The smell is not the best but you don’t have to put up with it for too long.
4. Best Hair Removal Cream for Face: Avon Skin so Soft Facial Hair Removal Cream
Nowadays, there are special facial razors, like the Tinkle, that are a pretty great option for painlessly removing facial hair.
The other option comes in the form of depilatory creams for the face and this one from Avon is one of the best.
It’s really easy to use: apply a generous layer, leave it on for 2-3 minutes in the beginning and then rinse. Moisturize immediately after.
Avon recommend leaving it on for 8 minutes but that seems a bit much, especially for peach fuzz. I guess it’s best to experiment with the timing in the beginning even if it takes a few tries until you nail it down.
All in all, there are plenty to be said when it comes to the pros and cons of hair removal creams, the choice will be decided if the pros outweigh the cons and what your needs are when it comes to the preferred hair removal method to be used at home.
