You’re not alone if you don’t know how to apply hair removal cream to your back. A hairy back means fashion hindrance and more sweating. So, most people look for a solution.
Hair clippers cause a lot of pain, razors often leave burns, and waxing increases the likelihood of skin irritation, infection, and breakout.
This might leave you wondering how to apply hair removal cream to your back. Sure this method is painless, long-lasting, and inexpensive, but it certainly isn’t as easy as shaving your arms or legs.
So, how difficult is it to apply the cream to your own back?
Let’s find out!
Depilatory Creams for Removing Your Back Hair
This hair removal method involves rubbing a considerable amount of depilatory cream into your back hair.
The cream will dissolve each hair strand at its root to be wiped off easily without causing any pain or discomfort.
Top reasons people prefer using hair removal creams to remove back hair include:
- Minimal time and effort required
- Little to no cost
- The required equipment and skill level is minimal
- Doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort
Please note that you’ll have to repeat the procedure after every few days or weeks, depending on the speed of your hair growth.
Depilatory creams for back hair removal are ideal for people who are tired of dealing with cuts and burning sensations caused by shaving and don’t want to experience the pain, discomfort, irritation, and time consumption associated with waxing.
How Effective Are Hair Removal Creams for Back Hair?
Depilatory creams fall into the nice middle space between waxing and shaving. This hair removal process is chemical, involving the breakdown of the hair proteins on your back, particularly keratin.
As soon as this protein breaks down, the hair follicle bases thin out where the cream is applied.
Eventually, they dissolve completely, allowing the hair to fall off easily. This happens because of certain alkaline chemicals present in the cream. Rest assured that they won’t cause any harm or damage to your skin.
In simple words, the chemical formula of depilatory creams makes your hair weak so that you can wipe them off effortlessly with the product. Wiping the cream off is as simple as wiping off dirt or debris from a surface.
How to Apply Hair Removal Cream to Your Own Back
As you may have suspected, applying a hair removal cream to your back can be tricky. For the hard-to-reach areas, you’ll have to ask for help.
If you have a spouse willing to help you apply the product to your back, ensuring that no hairy spot is missed, you’re good to go.
General guidelines for applying a hair removal cream to your back.
Make Sure Your Skin is Dry
Depilatory creams should always be applied on dry skin, regardless of the area you want to remove hair from. Mixing with water will ruin the consistency of the cream, which isn’t super thick, to begin with.
If you like to remove body hair in the shower, you should consider tapping the target area with a clean, dry towel before you begin.
Use a Lotion Applicator Brush
For some people, it’s not a good idea to apply a depilatory cream with the hand, no matter how small the target area is. It’s just messy and gross.
The right way to apply the cream to the back is with a lotion applicator brush. Thanks to this handy brush, you might not even need a helping hand when applying the product.
All you have to do is squeeze some cream onto the brush and lather a thick layer all over your back and shoulders.
Let it Set for 5-10 Minutes
Remember, there’s no point in using depilatory cream if you wipe it off too quickly. You can check the recommended waiting time on the packaging of the specific product you’re using.
You must follow the instructions religiously. Otherwise, the keratin in your hair won’t break down properly and you won’t get the desired results.
On the other hand, if you let the hair removal cream set on your skin for an extended period, you’ll likely get a burn.
The best way to go about this is by doing a patch test on your shoulder or leg simultaneously.
Wipe the product off from the testing spot to see if all hair strands have been removed. If yes, you can go ahead and remove the product off your back.
Rinse Well
You can use the same lotion applicator brush (after washing it, of course) to wipe away the loose hair on your back.
While rinsing, some of the product might trickle down your back. You shouldn’t worry about it, though, as it won’t remove any excess hair. The chemical formula only works when you let the cream settle into place.
The product should be rinsed off well. It’s best to wash your entire body with a gentle soap or body wash after washing off the cream. Repeat a couple of times to ensure your body is 100% clean and smells fresh.
A Patch Test is Highly Recommended
Generally, people with all skin types can use depilatory creams for back hair removal.
However, if you have sensitive skin, you should do proper research and get your hands on a product specially formulated for your skin type.
While the essence of the formula in all creams is essentially similar, the chemical proportions can vary greatly from one product to another.
Even after you know what kind of formula to look for, there’s a good chance that you’ll get confused and overwhelmed considering the wide variety of products available in the market.
Honestly, finding the ideal hair removal cream for your individual needs involves trial and error. After a few rounds of experimentation, you’ll know what suits your skin best.
This is exactly why we recommend doing a patch test before applying a depilatory cream all over your back.
How to Do a Patch Test for a Hair Removal Cream
First and foremost, you must pick a particular area of your skin for this purpose. An ideal spot will be the inside of your elbow since the skin there is soft and sensitive.
You could also do it on your shoulder, as the thickness of the skin in this area will be similar to your back.
Once done, you should wait for at least a day to see if your skin reacts to the chemical formula of the cream. If you don’t experience severe irritation, burning, or itching, you’re good to go!
How Long Do the Results Last?
Since hair removal creams target the roots of your hair, you can expect to enjoy a smooth, hairless back for a good few days. The hair will grow much later than when you shave.
Benefits of Using a Hair Removal Cream for Getting Rid of Your Back Hair
People prefer using depilatory creams for removing back hair for the following reasons.
- They don’t require any special tools or equipment. A simple applicator brush is enough. You can also use your hands if you feel like it.
- They don’t cause any pain or discomfort.
- They can be used in the shower for optimal convenience and ease of cleanup.
- They take nearly the same amount of time (or perhaps even less) as shaving. Keep in mind that longer and thicker hair strands take more time to dissolve and break.
- They eliminate the risk of burns, cuts, and irritation.
- They are available in different formulas and chemical compositions.
- They can easily be found in any drugstore.
- They are inexpensive.
- No prescription is needed for purchase.
Are There Any Downsides of Using Depilatory Creams for Back Hair Removal?
Like all other hair removal methods, depilatory creams have a few downsides that you must know before purchasing a product. The information below will help you make a well-informed decision.
For starters, almost all hair removal creams have an unpleasant odor. This is because of the chemicals used to formulate them.
Users call this scent “synthetic” and “generic chemical.” It is similar to how most medical products smell.
That being said, you can mitigate this issue by removing your back hair in the shower. Being in the shower makes it easy to clean up after removing all the hair from the target area.
You can quickly rinse your body with a body wash to ensure it doesn’t smell like a hair removal cream.
Another reason some people may hesitate to use depilatory creams for back hair removal is that different formulations can have different reactions on the skin.
Some chemical compositions may disturb your skin’s chemistry. This is why it is crucial to find a hair removal cream that suits your skin type and doesn’t cause redness or irritation.
You’ll be able to use the right product at any time during the day or night without worrying about side effects.
Lastly, depilatory creams don’t remove hair as deeply and permanently as some other hair removal methods.
This means you’ll have to repeat the procedure after every few days, depending on how fast your hair grows back.
Alternative Options for Removing Back Hair
Overall, hair removal creams are a safe, inexpensive, and convenient option for removing back hair.
However, if you’re interested in exploring other options, you should know about the following alternative methods.
Waxing
This method uses a wax formula to strip the hair strands of their roots on your back. It pulls out the hair from its root just like you’d do with tweezers.
This means your hair will take more time to grow back. You can expect to require another waxing session after a few weeks.
Needless to say, waxing causes a moderate level of pain and discomfort. Moreover, you may face difficulty applying the wax to the hard-to-reach areas on your back.
Hence, you’ll have to ask for someone’s help whenever you want to remove back hair.
The price range of different waxing products also varies greatly. You’ll have to do your research and see which product best fits your needs and budget.
And oh, waxing also requires more time than depilatory creams.
Shaving
You’ll require a shaving cream and a shaver designed to remove back hair for this hair removal method. The shaver will basically have an extended razor with a wider blade.
The time required for shaving the hair off your back is minimal. Pain level is also minimal. However, your hair will grow back rather quickly when you shave.
This means you’ll have to schedule the next session after every couple of days or a few days, depending on your hair growth.
Shaving is the ideal option for people who don’t want to spend a lot of money on hair removal.
This method requires little to no prep time, allowing you to get started as soon as you step into the shower with the necessary tools.
That being said, back shavers come with extended handles to make it easier for you to reach all areas without help.
This includes your waist and shoulder blades. However, on the downside, this method can cause skin irritation or damage.
The Final Verdict: Is it Easy and Recommended to Apply a Hair Removal Cream to Your Back?
There is no one hair removal method that’s perfect for everyone. People have different skin types and hair growth. The best method will vary based on their unique requirements and preferences.
However, depilatory creams seem to be the best bet if you want a painless process, stubble-free skin, and long-lasting results.
An added benefit is that these creams are formulated for different skin types, allowing you to choose a product that best suits your skin’s needs. On top of that, they are pretty inexpensive.
It won’t take more than a few minutes to remove your back hair with a hair removal cream. Once all the hair is wiped off, you’ll enjoy soft, smooth skin for a few days.
Now that you know how to apply a hair removal cream to your back, you can decide if it’s worth it. Make sure you do your research and try multiple products before giving your final verdict.