Hair removal creams have been used to remove hair from faces and bodies for years and are a convenient and efficient way to get rid of unwanted hair.
They’re easy to use, can be used all over the body and face (including sensitive areas), and are affordable.
Best of all, unlike methods like waxing and epilating, they’re painless. Hair removal creams also provide more long-lasting results than simply shaving and can save you valuable time by simplifying your grooming routine.
However, despite their many advantages, they can be somewhat intimidating, especially to individuals who have never stepped foot outside of waxing or shaving and various chemicals dissolving hair.
For those who venture outside of their comfort zones, hair removal creams can be a great way to remove hair, but many don’t try this convenient hair removal method because they don’t understand it.
In this article, we’re going to break down the dos and don’t of hair removal creams so that you know the ins and outs of the method before attempting it.
From answering questions like “Why can’t you use hair removal cream on your pubic area?” to discussing the importance of factors like time, this article will answer all your questions about this popular hair removal method.
DO Look at Formulas and Types of Hair Removal Creams
One of the worst things that newcomers to depilatory creams do is select the first hair removal cream they come across without paying attention to any of the details.
Like wax, there are several different types of hair removal cream made for different purposes, skin types, and body areas.
Before asking, “Why can’t you use hair removal cream on your pubic area?” make sure you look for hair removal creams formulated for the bikini region.
In addition to creams e formulated for use on facial hair, backs, bikini areas, underarms, and arms and legs, you can also look at ingredient-specific hair removal creams.
For example, many hair removal creams are made specifically for sensitive skin and include ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and Vitamin E to calm and soothe sensitive skin.
Hair removal creams also come in different forms to suit a variety of application methods. In addition to getting depilatory creams, you can also opt for sprays and roll-ons.
The different application methods have their own advantages and disadvantages that you may want to consider.
For example, while creams allow you to control how much you squeeze out and how much you apply, sprays are less messy and more convenient to use.
DON’T Use Hair Removal Creams Directly on Your Pubic Area
This may seem obvious to some, but many people continue to ask, “Why can’t you use hair removal cream on your pubic area?”
Because hair removal creams use chemicals to dissolve hair, there’s always a risk of irritation and injury to your skin.
You should be especially careful when using hair removal cream in sensitive areas like your underarms, your face, and your bikini area.
While you shouldn’t apply hair removal cream directly on pubic areas, it’s completely safe to use them on surrounding areas such as the bikini region.
When you’re going on holiday or having a photoshoot in your favorite swimwear, the last thing you want is some unwanted hair peeking through the sides of your swimsuit bottoms.
You can use hair removal cream to remove this unwanted hair as long as you take the proper precautions to do so and don’t use them directly on your pubic area.
You must avoid getting hair removal creams inside the vaginal canal or near your rectum since this can result in irritation and infection. Instead, you can focus on hair removal on the bikini line.
To make sure that you’re not getting the hair removal cream in areas where it’s not supposed to go, we would advise using petroleum jelly on areas to prevent the cream from getting to them.
Coat sensitive areas such as the area surrounding the rectum with a layer of petroleum jelly (commonly known as Vaseline) so that the hair removal cream cannot migrate there when you’re applying it near the region.
DO Conduct Patch Tests and Patch Removal Tests
When people ask, “Why can’t you use hair removal cream on your pubic area?” they’re often told not to use hair removal creams in sensitive areas because of the risk of irritation.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to do patch tests to ensure that your skin can handle the hair removal cream and there are no allergies associated with them.
Even if you’ve used a hair removal cream before, we would still recommend doing a patch test 24 hours before using it again because your skin can change and develop allergies to substances you could previously tolerate.
Do a patch test by applying a small amount to your bikini line and leaving it on as per the product’s directions.
You must remove the cream after the specified amount of time. Many individuals leave it on for longer than recommended because they believe it’s better to ensure that all hair in the region is dissolved.
However, this leaves you open to irritation and burning and shouldn’t be done under any circumstances. Always follow the instructions on the packaging for best results.
You may remove the hair removal cream and see no side effects and think it’s okay to go ahead and use it on your bikini area, arms, legs, etc.
However, irritation can occur over time. That’s why the best possible route to take is to leave the area alone for 24 hours and wait to see if you have any reactions to the hair removal cream.
If 24 hours have passed and no irritation has occurred, consider it safe to apply the hair removal cream to a larger area and remove all the unwanted hair in the region.
However, if you do see any irritation, cease using the product immediately and look for alternate hair removal methods or other, gentler hair removal creams.
DON’T Neglect Preparation
Whether it’s waxing, epilating, shaving, or using hair removal creams, there’s always prep work required before starting the process.
Before you start to remove your hair, you can take a few steps to better prepare yourself and your skin for the process.
For example, while you always want to start out with clean skin, it’s important to avoid a hot shower beforehand since it can dry out your skin.
That being said, for sensitive areas like the bikini region or underarms, you can always help soften the hair beforehand for easy removal by covering the region with a warm, damp washcloth.
DO Check Your Skin Before Application
Unfortunately, many people fail to consider their skin’s condition before applying hair removal cream or other substances.
You should never apply any foreign substance to your skin before checking to see if it’s safe for the condition your skin is in.
For example, if you are sunburnt or have open cuts or wounds, you should stay far away from hair removal cream and the chemicals they contain.
Wait for your skin to fully recover before using hair removal creams since any burns or cuts can worsen upon applying the cream.
Instead of burning your skin or causing a reaction, it’s best to wait it out until your skin is fully recovered.
Then, you can tackle the unwanted hair and conduct a patch test before ultimately using the hair removal cream.
DON’T Assume All Directions Are the Same
When individuals are used to shaving and waxing, they mistakenly assume that hair removal creams are a similarly uniform process.
However, this could not be further from the truth and can result in harmful consequences.
Not all directions are the same, and every hair removal cream is different. Whether it’s how to apply the cream, how to remove it, or how long to keep it on, directions can differ and you must read the directions thoroughly before starting the hair removal process.
This is often why so many people ask, “Why can’t you use hair removal cream on your pubic area?”
Different hair removal creams come with their own set of instructions and while some are suitable for use on the bikini area, others are not.
Read the instructions carefully before using any hair removal creams, no matter how safe you think they are.
DO Pay Attention to Time
Most hair removal cream horror stories are the result of not paying attention to timing or ignoring it altogether. The directions are there for a reason.
Each manufacturer has tested their product beforehand to give you an accurate representation of the time you need to apply their creams.
While some hair removal creams need to be left on for 3-4 minutes, others are left on for nearly 10 minutes. This varies depending on the kind of cream you use and its strength.
When you first apply the hair removal cream, keep an eye on the clock or set a timer for the amount of time you should have the cream on for. Always stick to the time suggested by the manufacturer.
Removing the hair removal cream before the time is up can result in patchy results and the hair not being fully dissolved while keeping on your hair removal cream for too long can result in burning and irritation.
However, if you’re worried about negative effects, it’s better to remove the cream sooner rather than later.
If you have especially sensitive skin and feel irritation that you didn’t previously experience, wash off the hair removal cream immediately and treat the area with a calming moisturizer or aloe vera gel.
Please note that this does not hold true if the opposite happens. If the time is up and you feel like you need to leave the hair removal cream on for a longer time, you risk damaging your skin.
DON’T Ignore Itching, Burning, and Irritation
If you experience itching, burning, and irritation, don’t ignore it. Hair removal creams are a great tool in your arsenal but only if your skin doesn’t have a bad reaction to them.
If you react to them, it’s easy to ignore the sensation and wait for it to go away. However, by doing so, you may be damaging your skin and compromising your health.
Whether you’re allergic to an ingredient in a specific formula or hair removal creams aren’t the right hair removal method for you, it’s critical that you listen to your body.
Instead of ignoring burning or irritation, wash the area with water immediately, and remove all traces of the hair removal cream from your body.
Instead of rubbing your skin, be gentle with it, and pat it dry instead. Apply a calming lotion and wait for your skin to recover.
DO Consult Your Doctor Beforehand
If you have especially sensitive skin, it’s always worth a conversation with your doctor before you opt for hair removal methods like depilatory creams.
These creams are safe for use, but don’t affect all individuals equally. If you have skin issues or are taking prescription medications, hair removal creams may not be the best option for you.
Whether you’re on medication that can increase skin sensitivity, have skin conditions like eczema, or you’re prone to rashes, having an open conversation with your doctor beforehand is always beneficial.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that not every hair removal method works for every single person.
Hair removal creams may be perfect for you, or they might end up being a terrible choice.
It’s only possible to determine if they’re right for you by using them and performing a patch test to ensure your skin doesn’t suffer unnecessarily.
Perhaps you were wondering, “Why can’t you use hair removal cream on your pubic area?” and now have a great method to remove pubic hair.
Maybe hair removal creams won’t work out for you, and you’ll find success in other methods like epilating, laser hair removal, or waxing.
Either way, we hope that this guide on the dos and don’ts of hair removal cream has been helpful and helps you progress on your hair removal journey.