Gentler alternative to shaving

DEPILATORY products have gained notoriety over the years for being user-unfriendly when it comes to removing unwanted hair. Not only are they difficult and messy to apply, they also leave an unpleasant smell.

I’d written about hair remover creams as part of the standard de-fuzzing menu that also includes waxing and shaving. But I was never a fan of topical depilatories.

That changed when I recently tried the latest Veet Spray-On Hair Removal Cream, an ingenious formula that takes care of the mess factor while gently dissolving hair. I read in a magazine that depilatory creams and lotions help minimize ingrown hair, unlike when you shave—a dilemma I’ve faced these last couple of months.

Shaving vs depilation

Shaving cuts hair in a straight line and leaves a sharp edge that feels stubbly when hair starts growing again. Using a depilatory product dissolves hair at the surface, leaving a smoother, rounded edge. While regrowth can still be visible in a matter of time, it is less rough to the touch.

Spray on, smooth away

Each bottle of Veet Spray-On Hair Removal Cream comes with a rubber-tipped spatula that gently scrapes off the hair its formula residue, a mechanism similar to how window washers use a rubber squeegee to lift away soap suds. It is important to read instructions and follow thoroughly.

Safety reminders

When trying out new products that go directly on skin, make sure to do a patch test first. This means testing the product on a small area and checking for allergic reactions, before applying it all over.

Using hair remover lotions within 72 hours of shaving is a no-no, especially for sensitive skin types. Also, avoid direct sun exposure. And as with other methods for hair removal, allot a few days in between sessions.

If you are tired of the rough results of shaving and you are days—or even weeks—away from a waxing appointment (or simply dread waxing, period), a good depilatory cream is an effective compromise. Simply scan the beauty aisles for newer formulas to make the most out of this technology. Also, if it’s a recently launched depilatory product, chances are, it smells better than its counterpart from yesteryear.

Mariel Chua is the former beauty editor of Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, and Ok! Magazine Philippines. Ask her a beauty question at http://BeautyintheBigApple.com.

(Images courtesy of Veet.us. Original Inquirer article link here.)