Hair removal cream or skin depilatory cream is a quick and easy way of removing unwanted hair. Compared to epilators and shaving, they give longer-lasting results without any pain.
You can find hair removal creams in several shapes and sizes to suit your particular skin type.
You can purchase lotions, gels, creams, sprays, and even hair removal wax from your local supermarket to gently get rid of any unwanted body or facial hair.
Since you apply the hair removal cream straight to the skin, you have to wipe it off once the directed time is over.
As a result, you have smooth baby skin without any cuts, razor bumps, or any painful irritation.
Wait a minute? What’s the catch?
Well, hair removal creams smell really bad. And by bad, we mean really stink-up-your-entire-room-bad.
This article will discuss why hair removal cream smells so bad and ways to mask the pungent smell for a better hair removal experience.
Why Does Hair Removal Cream Smell So Bad?
To understand why hair removal creams smell, it is crucial to understand how they work.
The entire premise of using a hair removal or depilatory cream depends on a special chemical formula that is strong enough to melt the hair on your skin.
Once the hair removal cream is applied to the surface area, the chemical formula works towards melting each strand of hair so it can easily be wiped off or washed away.
Chemical Formula
The chemicals found in hair removal cream are pretty strong, which is why it only takes 5 to 6 minutes to dissolve the hair strands on your body.
This is one of the greatest reasons your hair removal cream smells so bad because chemicals carry a pungent smell.
Typical hair removal cream includes calcium hydroxide, linoleum, alcohols, sodium thioglycolate, cetostearyl alcohol, and mineral oil.
When these harsh compounds and chemicals are mixed to create a hair removal formula, they become strong enough to dissolve the bonds that attach the hair to the skin.
Additionally, they are also targeted towards hydrating and exfoliating the skin. Many popular brands around the world promote chemical peels and exfoliants, which leave the skin smooth and soft. However, applying chemicals to the skin is harmful without a doubt.
A basic explanation is that chemicals contain unpleasant smells regardless of where they are used.
However, with hair removal cream is, the chemical smell hits you as soon as you open the packaging. The smell gets even worse when you apply the cream to your skin because the chemical is actively working.
When the hair removal cream starts to dissolve the hair, it releases a small amount of sulfur into the air around you.
As time passes, the smell worsens, which is why it creates a very unpleasant atmosphere.
Fragrances and Scents
Many hair removal products advertise different scents such as rose, aloe vera, or other fruity or floral smells.
Even though these fragrances do help in controlling the pungent hair removal cream smell, they are not able to mask it completely.
So, as a result, you have a combination of fragrance and a pungent chemical smell which does not bode well for everyone.
Perhaps the worst part about this smell is that it still lingers on your skin even after you have washed the hair removal cream away.
If you have a small room or bathroom, there is a very high chance that the smell will linger in the air for a little while as well.
Other than staying on your skin and in your room, the smell may stick to your clothes or bath towel.
Even though you can use soap or shampoo to mask the smell, sometimes it’s too strong to be controlled.
Now, let’s move on and discuss a few ways to get rid of the hair removal cream smell.
How To Remove Hair Removal Cream Smell
You can always start by washing your face or body with regular soap and water. If that does not do the trick, here are a few ways through which you can take this up a notch:
Use Antiseptic Mouthwash
Antiseptic mouthwash can control the odor in your mouth as well as the odor from a pungent hair removal cream.
If you have a scented mouthwash, that can work wonders as well. Some local mouthwashes come with signature scents such as mint and cinnamon, which is, of course, better than the smell you are left with after using a hair removal cream.
Citrus Fruits
Taking a piece of citrus fruit such as lime or lemon can mask the odor on your body parts. Using a lemon works way better than a mandarin or orange because of its strong citrus concentrate.
The citrus element found in these fruits can easily absorb the pungent odor left behind by the hair removal cream.
Just like an antiseptic mouthwash, using a citrus fruit also leaves behind a nice citrusy scent on your face or body.
Salt
Salt can absorb or remove a pungent smell. All you have to do is rub a tiny amount of salt on your body part where you previously used a hair removal cream.
If your skin is a little damp, it will help the salt to stick on easily and absorb the odor left behind by the depilatory cream.
Gently rub the small amount of salt on your body parts and leave it on for a few minutes.
Once a few minutes have passed, you can simply wash the salt off and notice the unpleasant odor wash away with it.
Also don’t forget to checkout which lasts longer waxing or hair removal cream?
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is also similar to an antiseptic mouthwash. Take a pea-size amount of toothpaste on your hands and rub it on the body parts where you apply the hair removal cream.
Any good toothpaste brand will work fine for this process as long as it is a paste and not a gel.
The scent and fresh mint found in toothpaste can mask the order leaving your skin feeling incredibly fresh.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a Holy Grail ingredient that people use to mask odors and even lift off stains.
When mixed with water or vinegar, baking soda can turn into a powerful paste that you can rub all over your body.
Let it stay for a minute or two before rinsing it off. The natural elements found in baking soda can absorb the unpleasant odor and leave your skin feeling clean and odorless.
Coffee
If you particularly like the smell of coffee, then using coffee grounds to cover up the hair removal smell is a great technique for you.
All you have to do is take a little bit of coffee powder or coffee grounds in your palm and rub it on your damp body parts.
You can rub them in circular motions and wait until the smell is gone. Not only will the coffee grounds mask the odor, but they will also help you further exfoliate your skin, leaving it smooth, shiny, and smelling like luxurious coffee.
However, this is something that would not be feasible for someone who does not want to smell like a caffeinated beverage.
Baby Wipes
After you’re done removing your unwanted hair with a hair removal cream, you can use scented baby wipes to wipe down any item that you touched during the process.
Since scented baby wipes have a strong smell, they can easily get rid of the hair removal cream odor.
If you do not have baby wipes on hand, you can take a small cleaning cloth and dip it in lemon juice.
This will help you eliminate any unpleasant smells from items that give off a pungent hair removal cream smell.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is mostly made up of alcohol. Rubbing hand sanitizer on your skin can be damaging, but it can very easily remove the hair removal cream odor.
Therefore, if you do not have any other method available, you can easily use a hand sanitizer and get rid of the hair removal cream smell.
A fair warning, since you just removed your hair with a chemical hair removal cream, applying a hand sanitizer may burn or sting. Therefore, try out a small patch test before rubbing it onto a larger portion of your body.
A Few Tips & Tricks To Have A Pleasant Hair Removal Session
- Try burning some incense or scented candles before you start using the hair removal cream on your skin. This will help the atmosphere become a bit more bearable for you if you cannot live with the intense sulfur smell.
- Try using the hair removal cream right before you shower or take a bath. This way, you can wash away the smell with the use of a body shower gel and the shampoo that you use in your hair. Using all your regular bath products will help mask the smell of the hair removal cream. If you use your hair removal cream after taking a bath, it will overcome all of the previous scents you had on your body. Therefore, it is better to use it before you take a bath.
- If you are using hair removal cream in your private areas, you may feel hesitant because of the unpleasant smell that it leaves behind. To counter this, you can use pH balancing liquids and antibacterial wipes to mask the smell and keep your private parts smelling fresh.
- Try not to use your bath towel right after removing your hair with a hair removal cream. When the odor is fresh and incredibly intense, it is better to have a separate washcloth for your hair removal cream instead of using your regular bath towel. Through this, you will protect your bath towel from the hair removal cream odor, making it less annoying when you wipe your face or any other body parts later in the day.
- If you are a professional who offers hair removal services, you can use hydrogen peroxide or a good quality detergent to wipe down any surfaces that may catch the smell. This will provide your clients with a clean and fresh-smelling atmosphere, increasing their likelihood of returning to you for their services.
- If you have incredibly sensitive skin, you can take the time to search for an unscented hair removal cream or the ones that are especially targeted for sensitive skin. Most hair removal creams targeted for sensitive skin have an incredibly faint scent or no scent at all.
- Use your hair removal cream in an open space if possible. This is probably easier if you live alone because that way, you don’t have to be cooped up in your bathroom with a strong sulfur-smelling cloud around you. Open spaces will allow you to ventilate the pungent smell making it easier to breathe and carry out the rest of your activities while you wait for your hair to dissolve.
- Try not to inhabit any communal living spaces while using hair removal cream. If you live with a roommate or share a flat with other people, it is best to use hair removal creams in your own private space. For example, if you have the hair removal cream applied to your legs, it will leave a strong scent behind if you sit on the couch while you wait for the cream to do its work.
The Bottom Line
Hair removal creams are one of the most used hair removal methods for getting rid of unwanted hair.
It’s painless and doesn’t require a lot of effort either. However, the bad odor puts off many people, which is why they tend to steer clear of it.
However, with these tips and tricks, you can easily have a good hair removal session and not worry about the pungent smell that it leaves behind.