HAIR REMOVAL CREAM

What are hair removal creams?

Hair removal creams, also known as depilatory creams, offer an alternative method of hair removal. Such creams contain alkaline chemicals such as calcium thioglycolate or strontium sulphide, that react with the hair on your body.

How do hair removal creams work?

Hair removal creams work by interfering with the chemical bonds that make up our hair, in turn breaking down the protein structure of our hair, such that our hair comes out easily from our hair follicles when you wipe off the cream. This makes it easy to remove patches of hair relatively easily.

Comparison With Laser Hair Removal

Criteria	Hair Removal Cream	Laser Hair Removal
Effectiveness	Hair removal creams are generally effective at removing hair, but the degree of effectiveness generally depends on the area that hair is removed from, as well as the amount of hair in that area. However, since hair removal creams do not remove hair roots, hair tends to grow back quickly, within a week.	Laser hair removal is effective in removing hair as well as permanently reducing hair growth over time, since the treatment destroys hair roots, preventing regrowth from the same hair follicle.
Treatment Time	Treatments usually take a few minutes but have to be repeated weekly as hair removal creams do not reduce hair growth.	Treatments can take up to half an hour per session, but over time, you’ll find that hair growth is permanently reduced.
Cost	Hair removal creams can cost anywhere between $5 - $15 per bottle, but these small sums can add up over time due to repeated treatments, as hair removal creams do not permanently reduce hair.	Prices vary depending on the area treated but can cost up to the hundreds per session. However, over time, you’ll find yourself needing less to no treatments.
Pain	Treatments are usually painless, as long as the cream does not get into any open wounds.	Patients generally report feeling a prickly and warm sensation, but generally, find it very tolerable. We generally apply a numbing cream prior to your treatment and use ice packs during your treatment to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Side Effects	Skin Irritants The chemicals that break down the proteins in our hair can also break down the protein structure in our skin, causing unwanted irritation. Be sure to do a patch test before applying your hair removal cream of choice over a large area! Unwanted Odours The chemicals that break down the protein structure of our hair can cause a strong and unpleasant odour. Most hair removal creams nowadays now contain artificial fragrances to mask such odours, but these fragrances might cause skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.	Redness Some patients might experience some redness in the treatment area, but this should subside within a few hours. If laser hair removal was done on the face (e.g. upper lip), makeup can be applied immediately after treatment