Depilatory Creams Vs. Waxing- Which is Better?

Whether you want to sport a bikini or a short summer dress, removing unwanted body hair is essential. There are many methods of hair removal, from waxing, tweezing, shaving to the use of depilatory creams. All these methods are semi-permanent methods of removing unwanted body hair.

Each method has its own pros and cons and being aware of them can help you to make an informed decision about which to choose. Waxing is one of the most preferred hair removing methods after shaving and is best for achieving smooth legs and arms. Since hair is yanked out from the roots, you need to be able to bear a bit of pain.

However seasoned waxers swear that the pain becomes less and less intense as you go for each session of waxing. Depilatory creams are also an effective way to remove unwanted body hair. It contains a chemical compound known as calcium thioglycolate that dissolves the hair. But its effect lasts only for a few days.

Before you decide on a method of hair removal, let us know a little bit more about depilatory creams and waxing.

In waxing, hot or cold wax is applied on the surface of the skin and a strip of fabric is placed over it. Once the wax has adhered to the skin and the fabric, the strip is pulled out in the opposite direction of hair growth. Hair is removed from the roots and you are left with smooth and silky skin for at least three to four weeks.

On the other hand, depilatory creams are applied on the surface of the skin and then wiped off after some time. The chemicals in the cream remove all traces of hair from the skin. By using depilatory creams hair is removed only from the surface and not from the roots.

Therefore regrowth of hair is much faster and you need to depilate body hair in less than a week.

Since hair is removed from the roots with waxing, this method is not completely pain free. Women who have sensitive skin might find it difficult to handle the pain and discomfort associated with waxing. Using depilatory cream on the other hand is not painful at all.

However, redness and inflammation are some of the common complaints of women who use a depilatory cream. To check that you are not sensitive to the ingredients and chemicals used in depilatory creams, always do a patch test before application.

Although waxing does not cause any adverse chemical reaction on the skin, some women experience redness. One of the best waxing tips is to use an ice pack after waxing to reduce any redness or swelling.

Waxing might cause ingrown hair, particularly if you have coarse hair or if you are not employing the proper technique. Ingrowths are painful and can also get inflamed. The best way to tackle this is to prevent it in the first place. Make it a point to exfoliate your skin while you are in the shower.

This will loosen up any trapped hair underneath the skin and you can prevent ingrown hair. The use of depilatory creams seldom causes ingrowths. An important point where depilatory creams scores over waxing is in the fact that depilatory cream can work on any length of hair.

However for waxing, hair should be at least 1/4^th of an inch for smooth hair removal. So, if you have a party to attend and need to remove hair fast and your hair length is such that it cannot be waxed, a depilatory cream can come in useful.

Both waxing and depilatory creams are good methods of hair removal and what you choose will depend on your preference, your hair growth and pain threshold. If you are looking for long-lasting results then waxing is a great hair removing method. But for quick fixes you can choose a depilatory cream.