Removal of Unwanted Hair: A Glance at Depilation

In our culture and society, excess body hair is widely viewed as a sign of bad hygiene, and can be a cause of embarassment for many people, especially women who are fond of wearing skimpy skirts, tight booty shorts and sheer dresses.

Removal of unsightly body hair through depilation is a very popular, convenient, quick and affordable method used by many men and women.

• What is depilation and how does it work?

Depilation is a term used to describe hair removal through the use of chemical depilatories that dissolve hair within 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the coarseness. The dissolve hairs then turn into a jelly-like substance that can then be easily wiped away with a damp cloth or washed with water.

• What are the different kinds of depilatories?

Depilatories come in different forms, sizes and price range. You can purchase depilatories in three different forms: gel, cream, and lotion.

Acccording to experts, it is recommended to use the lotion form in the bigger areas of the body, such as the back, arms, legs, bikini area, stomach and underarms. If you have to remove hair from the face, experts suggest using cream or gel which have thicker consistency than the lotion form, and are more for the skin.

• What do you need know before using a depilatory?

Before applying the depilatory, always make sure to read and follow all the directions on the box so you know how much you should apply, and how long you should let it set.

Do not remove the depilatory before the given time or it won't remove the hair all that much. Similarly, the opposite is true. Do not let the cream or lotion exceed while on your skin or you risk damaging it.

Never use the depilatory cream in skin that has breaks, cuts, bruises, wounds and nicks to avoid infection. Clean the area first thoroughly with a gentle soap and water before applying the depilatory cream or lotion.

As much as possible, never use a depilatory cream the same day you're going to sunbathe, as the harsh chemicals can increase your skin's susceptibility in getting a sunburn. Always make sure to apply a strong sunscreen on treated area before venturing out in the day.

Most importantly, make sure you are not allergic to the depilatory. To find out how, apply a small amount in the back of the hand or forearm then wait for a good 5 to 7 hours. If no rash, itchiness or irritation appears, then you are ok to use the product.

After using the depilatory, apply gentle lotion like chamomile or aloe vera to soothe the treated skin.

• Other things to note about depilatories:

The coarser the hair, the more difficult it is to remove. Sometimes, a second application is needed to get the job done completely. This usually happens to men who have naturally thicker and coarser body hair.

Depilatories are much more potent with light-haired people, as they have naturally thinner body hair.

Most depilatories have an unpleasant and foul smell, like a perm's. Avoid it by wearing a face mask before applying so that you don't inhale it as the chemicals can be harmful for your lungs.

Take extra care when applying the depilatory on the face, and strictly avoid getting it on the eyes, nose and mouth.

Finally, as a conclusion, the advantages of depilation as a hair removal method definitely outweigh the negatives. It is a relatively cheap, painless and quick way to eliminate excess body hair with very negligible hassles.