How frustrating is it to see pesky stubble reappearing mere hours after shaving?
Unfortunately, that’s what you get when you have rapidly growing body hair. However, this isn’t the case with all hair removal methods (phew!).
With many women switching to depilatory creams, you might wonder, “How long does hair removal cream last?”
This article will go over each hair removal method one by one to help you make a well-informed decision.
Let’s start!
How Long Does Hair Removal Cream Last?
Hair removal creams have a strong alkaline formula that slowly breaks down the hair protein until the strands become jelly-like and can easily be wiped off.
When you wipe the product off your skin, unwanted hair should remove easily, revealing smooth, hair-free skin.
Since this method doesn’t remove the hair directly from the follicles, the results aren’t permanent or long-lasting.
The hair strands are dissolved above and just below the skin surface. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to enjoy hair-free skin for longer than if you shave.
That being said, people with dark, rough hair might notice a shadow beneath the skin after removing the hair.
In general, you can expect the results to last three to five days, depending on how fast your hair grows.
If this bums you out and you’d like results that last longer, you can try other hair removal methods.
However, remember that the convenience, comfort, and time and cost savings depilatory creams bring to the table are unmatched.
But before that, let’s answer a few more commonly asked questions regarding hair removal creams.
How Long Does Hair Removal Cream Last before it Expires?
Most hair removal creams available in the market don’t have an expiration date. This means you can use them safely for months and even years.
However, a good rule of thumb is to replace your cream a year after removing its seal. Follow the tips below to help keep it longer.
- Store it in a cool, dry place with proper ventilation.
- Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight.
If you’re still concerned about the longevity of hair removal creams’ results, perhaps a better understanding of how these formulas work will help you make peace with it.
How Do Depilatory Creams Work?
Hair removal creams contain powerful chemicals responsible for breaking down the structure of your body hair.
Generally, the primary ingredients include Calcium Hydroxide, Potassium Thioglycolate, and Sodium Hydroxide.
These chemicals attack the bonds of keratin, the hair protein that holds the hair together.
This process is called hydrolysis. As a result, each hair strand and its root become as soft as jelly.
Calcium and sodium hydroxide are alkaline in nature, with a pH of 12. The breaking down of hair bonds requires a pH of 10, which means hair removal cream formulas are highly efficient.
Since these chemicals can be harsh on the skin, potassium thioglycolate is the main ingredient in most depilatory creams.
Once the hair removal cream formula has done its job, you can wipe off the body hair with a dry cloth effortlessly.
That being said, some depilatory creams are infused with Urea to help exfoliate your skin for smoother results.
Other essential ingredients like argan oil, mineral oil, and lanolin may also be added to counterbalance the harsh effect of chemicals on your skin.
All in all, the best hair removal creams will help soften your skin while removing unwanted hair in no time.
As all hair is removed swiftly, you can enjoy silky smooth skin for a few days.
Are There Supposed to Be Any In-Between Days with Hair Removal Creams?
While you may be bummed about your hair growing back in three to five days after using a hair removal cream, you’ll be glad to hear that you don’t have to worry about any in-between days with this method.
With waxing and some other hair removal procedures, you have to wait for a few days to let your hair grow out before you can remove them.
This isn’t the case with depilatory creams. Since these creams remove hair just below the skin surface, you’re free to reuse it as soon as you notice a shadow forming on your skin.
This is extremely convenient – you can easily ensure your skin is soft, smooth, and hair-free before every important event.
Other Benefits Offered by Hair Removal Creams
Below are the top benefits of using a hair removal cream.
§ Requires Less Time and Effort
Depilatory creams are a quick, efficient, and hassle-free hair removal method. All you have to do is apply the product to the target area evenly and wait three to five minutes.
You can then wipe it off with a cloth, rinse your skin thoroughly, and BAM! All unwanted hair has been removed!
§ No Cuts or Burns
Unlike shaving, hair removal creams don’t result in any cuts on the skin. Even as a beginner, you have no chance of leaving any signs of inexperience behind.
These creams don’t cause bumpy skin either. Since no friction is involved, you don’t have to experience skin irritation, which usually happens during shaving.
Every time you use a hair removal cream, you’ll get to enjoy clear, smooth skin.
§ No Pain or Discomfort
Depilatory creams don’t pull hair from the root. This means you can expect a painless process with minimal discomfort.
§ Doesn’t Require Any Help
One of the best things about hair removal creams is that it requires little expertise and assistance to do well. You can just read the instructions and get started.
This is an excellent option if you don’t prefer going to a salon for professional hair removal services. The chemical formula is safe for the skin, so you can easily apply it at home.
Disclaimer: it’s recommended to do a patch test before applying the cream to a large area.
If you experience side effects, like excessive burning or irritation, consult your doctor to see if medical treatment is necessary.
§ Helps Save Money
Depilatory creams are inexpensive – most good-quality ones cost a few dollars only.
Furthermore, a single bottle/sachet might last several weeks if you want to use it on a particular area, like the legs or arms. This is much cheaper than purchasing packets of razors every month.
§ Ideal for All Skin Types and Areas
Hair removal creams are formulated for all skin types. If you have sensitive skin, make sure you choose a product made for your skin type. Regular creams may cause a reaction on your skin.
Moreover, you can find different products suited for different areas of the body. Generally, special formulas are available for removing hair on the face and in the bikini region since these areas are delicate and prone to irritation.
There’s also a separate line of products formulated for men’s hair removal needs.
§ Easily Accessible
Various manufacturers offer hair removal creams formulated for different skin types. You can easily find multiple options in general stores and supermarkets. You can place your order online and have the product delivered to your doorstep.
More options mean you can try depilatory creams from different brands to see which one suits your skin the best. Again, do a patch test to prevent any severe reactions.
§ Exfoliates the Skin
The best hair removal creams are infused with exfoliators that help get rid of dead skin cells.
This saves you an important step, leaving you with silky, smooth skin. It also minimizes the risk of ingrown hair.
Which Hair Removal Method Lasts the Longest?
Now that we’ve answered the burning question, “How long does hair removal cream last?” let’s discuss the longevity periods of other methods.
Essentially, any method that removes hair from the root will deliver results that last for one to six weeks.
Factors affecting the longevity of results include your hair texture, hair growth, hair color, and how well you’ve done the job.
Regardless of the hair removal method you go for, you’ll likely require a touchup session every two weeks.
However, the pain you experience will be severe. Pulling hair strands out of their roots will hurt a lot.
Another downside to these long-lasting hair removal methods is that the hair will break off at the surface if you fail to do it right.
You won’t get the desired smoothness, and the hair will start growing again after two or three days.
Hence, you must take the time to learn the tricks of the trade with these hair removal methods because they aren’t as simple as depilatory creams.
Without further ado, let’s discuss each hair removal method in detail.
Tweezing and Plucking
Have you ever plucked your eyebrow hair with tweezers?
It’s painful, right?
Now, imagine doing it all over your arms, legs, and other body areas. On top of that, think about how long it will take to pluck all unwanted hair from a large area. Tweezing is not an option for removing body hair.
Waxing
This hair removal method involves applying hot wax to the area with body hair. You’ll have to wait for some time before pulling the cooled wax swiftly. If done correctly, you’ll be able to rip out all the hair that dried in the wax.
If you’ve never tried it before, you’ll be better off visiting a salon and getting waxing done by a professional.
They’ll know which type of wax is best suited for your skin type and body region. On the contrary, if you’re confident you can do it yourself at home, you should consider purchasing a waxing kit to save money.
While waxing results last longer than hair removal creams, keep in mind that it’s a painful process. There’s also a chance of skin burns and irritation.
Threading
Like tweezing, threading is usually done for eyebrows. You can try it for facial hair, but it’s not feasible for other areas of the body.
Like waxing, threading requires a certain level of skill, so it’s best to have a professional do it for you. Although it delivers excellent results, it can be more painful than other hair removal methods.
Sugaring
This method is quite similar to waxing. The only difference is that you have to apply a sugary paste on the target area instead of the wax.
Many women prefer this procedure over waxing because it doesn’t rip off the top layer of your skin like waxing does, thereby causing lesser pain and discomfort.
Another advantage is that you can do sugaring at home without any assistance. You can make the paste yourself or buy it from a store.
Epilation
An epilator is a machine with lots of tweezers that work together to pluck your hair out from the roots. You can do this at home without any help.
The reasonable price of the machine makes this method a less expensive option than laser or electrolysis.
Laser
Women looking for long-lasting hair removal results often opt for laser. This method involves using heat from lasers to damage your hair follicles. It is used to slow down or stop hair growth.
While you can do a laser treatment at home, it’s best to leave it to a professional. Please note that laser results are not always permanent.
An expert may be able to tell you what you can expect based on your hair texture, color, and growth. Generally, people with dark hair and light skin experience the best results of laser treatment.
Electrolysis
This hair removal method delivers the most long-lasting results. It is an FDA-approved procedure for permanent hair removal.
In this method, electricity is used to destroy hair follicles. Like a laser treatment, it doesn’t work for everyone. 5-10% of the population may not get the desired results with electrolysis. You should consult with a well-trained expert before making the final decision.
The Final Verdict
Most women look for a hair removal method that delivers long-lasting results. They like the idea of enjoying soft, smooth, hair-free skin for a few days or weeks before the hair starts growing back.
Now that you know the answer to the burning question, “How long does hair removal cream last?” you may be tempted to try other methods.
While there’s nothing wrong with experimenting, we’d suggest you stick to using a depilatory cream – it’s cheap, convenient, painless, and efficient.
For other procedures, you’ll have to visit a salon, spend extra time to get all unwanted hair removed, and endure significant pain and discomfort.
Although you’ll have to schedule a hair removal session every week or so with depilatory creams, it’ll take no more than 10-15 minutes to reveal silky, smooth skin with no cuts or burns.
At the end of the day, the choice is yours!