The struggle of having silky smooth skin is way too real!
We all can agree with the statement above. From painful waxing and tweezing to razor bumps and ingrown hair – your skin goes through so much to get rid of unwanted hair.
When it comes to hair removal methods, there are several options on the table. This includes waxing, tweezing, threading, shaving, depilatory creams, epilators, laser treatment, and so on.
Each hair removal method has something or the other to offer, and they all come bearing specific side effects.
While waxing gives you smoother results, it can be painful. Similarly, shaving is easy-to-do, but it may affect your hair growth.
Using depilatory creams or hair removal creams is also another popular method of removing body hair.
Hair removal creams offer a painless way of removing unwanted hair, and this method can be easily carried out at home.
If you choose the pain-free route and go for a hair removal cream to remove body hair, you need to follow a few rules to get the perfectly smooth skin of your dreams.
But why should you use hair removal creams in the first place? Let’s find out!
Pros and Cons of Using Hair Removal Creams
Before we learn how to use hair removal creams, let’s take a look at their pros and cons to see if it’s the right fit for you or not:
Hair Removal Creams Pros
- Cost-effective solution
- Hair removal products are readily available
- Easy-to-do at home
- Painless hair removal option
- Minimum preparation required
- Creates less mess as compared to other hair removal methods
Hair Removal Creams Cons
- Contains harsh chemical
- Unpleasant product odor
- Can cause allergic reactions
- Can increase ingrown hair
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
How Do Hair Removal Creams Work?
Before we delve deep into how to use hair removal creams the right way, it is imperative to understand how they work.
Hair removal creams contain several chemicals, including thioglycolic acid that helps break down keratin protein found in hair.
You have to leave on a hair removal cream for a few minutes, after which your hair will naturally fall off from the surface.
There are several types of hair removal creams available in the market that can be used to remove unwanted hair from different parts of your body.
Due to the severe nature of these creams, you need to be careful about where you use them.
Hair removal creams are best suited for:
- Arms
- Legs
- Underarms
- Bikini Line
Hair removal creams are not recommended for sensitive areas like:
- Genitals
- Eyebrows
- Face
If you wish to use hair removal creams to get rid of your pubic hair or facial hair, you should use special creams made for these specific body areas.
As a rule of thumb, no matter which hair removal cream you are using, it would be best to perform a small skin patch test before actually using the cream on a larger body area.
Why is Patch Testing Hair Removal Creams Important?
Before you use any product on your skin, performing a patch test plays a crucial role in determining if the product would suit your skin or not. A patch test also helps prevent potential risks and severity of allergic reactions.
A patch test helps identify if you are allergic to a specific chemical in a product. People with contact dermatitis are more at risk of skin allergies when using certain products on their skin.
The most common allergic reactions include redness, swelling, itchiness, skin bumps, etc.
If you are using a hair removal cream for the first time, it is essential to do a patch test before using the cream on the rest of your body.
Hair removal creams contain harsh chemicals that may burn your skin or cause an adverse reaction, especially sensitive skin.
Therefore, to ensure that your hair removal cream is safe to use, doing a patch test is an ideal solution.
Keep reading further if you wish to learn how to perform a patch test for hair removal creams.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Do a Patch Test for Hair Removal Cream
Here is how you can adequately perform a patch test for using hair removal creams by following this step-by-step guide:
Step 1 – Prep Your Skin
Before applying hair removal cream to your body, you need to prep your skin to avoid the chances of any side effects.
First off, you will start by cleaning the area where you need to perform the patch test. It is recommended that you test a small area or either your arm or leg for this purpose.
Make sure that you properly clean the area and then leave it out to dry before applying hair removal cream to it. You can also use a microfiber towel to pat dry it.
Step 2 – Applying Hair Removal Cream
After the patch test area is arid, apply an even coat of hair removal cream on it. Use the spatula that comes with the kit to smooth it out.
Step 3 – Waiting Time
Refer to the instructions on the back of your hair removal cream packaging to find out how long you need to apply the cream.
Typically, hair removal creams take up to three to five minutes to completely eliminate unwanted hair.
If you start feeling irritation or a burning session around the patch test area, you need to remove the cream immediately.
Step 4 – Removing the Hair Removal Cream
Once the waiting time is over, you need to remove the hair removal cream from the patch test area.
The most common way to remove hair removal cream is by using the spatula that comes with the kit. Just use the curved edge part of the spatula to scrape the cream off your body.
Make sure you do not apply too much pressure on it, or it could leave scratches on your skin.
Moreover, if you have sensitive skin and do not want to use a spatula or scraping tool, you can use a microfiber towel or simply plain water to remove the hair removal cream.
If you are only using water, you might need to rub off the excess cream and tiny bits of hair using your hands.
Step 5 – Observe Your Skin for the Next 24 Hours
After you have successfully used the hair removal cream on a small patch of your body, the final step is to wait for the next 24 hours.
To check if your skin reacts to the cream, you need to give it some time to be on the safe side.
One of the side effects of hair removal creams is red bumps appearing on the skin after a few hours.
If that happens or you notice some other sort of allergic reaction, you need to treat that immediately and avoid using the same brand of hair removal cream.
Also don’t forget to checkout how to apply hair removal cream to your back?
Helpful Tips for Using Hair Removal Creams
If you have decided to switch to hair removal creams, the following tips will help you get the best results and avoid possible side effects. So, without further ado, let’s get started:
Tip # 1 – Hair Removal Cream Aftercare
If you are using a hair removal cream for the first time, it is not unusual to feel irritation around the area.
The acidic nature of the creams causes this reaction, but don’t worry; it can be easily treated at home depending on the severity of the reaction.
If you feel slight irritation on numbness on the patch test area, quickly remove or wash off the hair removal cream.
If your skin is still burning, you can apply any cooling agent like some aloe vera or cucumber gel to soothe the pain around the area.
Another way to treat redness on the skin is by using an ice cube or ice pack compress on the affected area. You will get relief within just a few minutes.
However, if the pain still remains or it gets worse after a couple of hours after using a hair removal cream, try to immediately consult a doctor or skin specialist for proper medical assistance.
Tip # 2 – Post Hair Removal Care
Using hair cream alone is not enough. You need to go the extra mile and take care of your skin afterward to keep it healthy and protected.
Wear loose or light clothing that doesn’t cling to your skin. Wearing tight-fitted clothes can increase sweat production and cause hair follicles irritation or cause skin bumps.
Moreover, it would be best to avoid direct sunlight exposure for at least 24-36 hours after using hair removal creams.
Avoid touching your skin after using hair removal creams as your hair follicles are extra sensitive, and excessive friction can increase the chances of skin irritation and inflammation. This also helps avoid the transfer of bacteria from one body part to another.
In addition to this, it is further recommended to avoid hot showers, exercising, swimming, or any high-intensity activity that causes your body to sweat excessively. Otherwise, you may experience swelling, redness, skin irritation, etc.
If you still notice redness and irritation on your skin after 48 hours, consult a doctor immediately.
Tip # 3 – Avoid Using Perfumed Products
It is strictly prohibited to use perfumes on your skin right after using hair removal creams on it. Your hair follicles are extra sensitive and susceptible to reacting with perfumes or scented products.
Therefore, to avoid getting your skin burnt or damaged from using hair removal cream, you should avoid using perfumes at all costs.
Tip # 4 – Moisturize and Exfoliate
To avoid ingrown hair and skin bumps after using hair removal creams, it is essential to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated at all times.
Use any high-quality body lotion, typically one with organic ingredients, to ensure your skin is soft and supple.
Moreover, to get rid of ingrown hair and get smoother hair removal results, it is imperative to exfoliate your skin regularly. Exfoliation helps unclog your pores and removes ingrown hair from the follicles.
You can use any mild exfoliating scrub 2-3 times a week for best results. It is better to use sugar and oil-based scrubs as they help keep your skin moisturized.
In addition to this, you can also use exfoliating gloves to get rid of all the dead skin cells and stubborn ingrown from your body.
Regular moisturizing and exfoliating are key to achieving silky smooth skin post hair removal.
Tip # 5 – Follow the Instructions Properly
It is crucial to be extra cautious while using hair removal creams as it is time-critical.
Make sure that you carefully read the instructions manual that comes with the kit and follow them correctly. Do not keep the cream applied to the area for more than the allotted time.
Moreover, do not apply hair removal cream on the same area twice to avoid any adverse effects.
Tip # 6 – Be Careful With Cream Removal
A soft fabric means less pressure on the skin. Use a soft cloth or microfiber towel to remove hair removal cream if you have sensitive skin.
Using a spatula does not work for many people as it increases the chances of rash on the skin.
Besides this, you can also use a hand-held shower to wipe off hair removal cream from your body. A soft body sponge may also get the job done.
Just keep in mind that you wash all the sponges, towels, and cloth pieces right away for hygiene purposes.
Let’s Wrap Up – Final Thoughts!
After reading the guide on ‘How to do a patch test for hair removal cream,’ we hope you will now be an expert in this field.
If you wish to get the best results when using hair removal creams, make sure that you follow the valuable tips shared earlier.
With just a little practice and keeping essential tips in mind, you can become a hair-removing pro in no time and achieve the smooth and silky skin that you desire.
If you have any more valuable hair removal tips for us, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Keep watching this space for more helpful hair removal blogs, stories, and guides.
Good Luck!