What are depilatories?
A
depilatory is a preparation in the form of a liquid or cream that
is used to remove unwanted hair from the body. The word depilatory,
pronounced "di-pila-toree", literally means "to
deprive of hair" (Latin pilus, hair).
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What is the difference between a depilatory and an epilatory?
Depilatories
remove hair on the skin's surface. An epilatory such as waxing or
tweezing (plucking) removes the hair from below the skin's surface
taking out the hair follicle.
How do depilatories work?
Depilatories contain chemicals with a high degree of acidity (low pH) such
as sodium thioglycolate, or calcium thioglycolate. They react with
the protein structure of hair breaking it down.
Depending
on the coarseness of hair, within 5 to 15 minutes, the hair is dissolved
into a gloopy mass which can then be washed away.
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Why does skin feel so smooth after
applying depilatories?
Depilatories act as an exfolient which means it removes dead
skin cells on the surface of the skin.
These
dead skin cells accumulate every day and they often feel rough.
After removal the skin feels softer and smoother.
Many
depilatories contain moisturizers such as Baby Oil, Almond
Oil, Green Tea Extract and Aloe which contribute to softer
smoother skin. |
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Facial
Hair Removal
o
Avon Skin So Soft
o Emjoi Facial Epilator
o Nad's Facial Wand
o Hair Off Buffer
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Which is best - a depilatory cream or liquid?
A depilatory lotion or liquid is designed for larger areas of the
body such as the legs, underarms and bikini area.
A
depilatory cream has a thicker consistency so it can be applied
to specific areas without the risk of it running on to skin you
don't want treated. A cream is therefore ideal for the face.
How long do the results last?
This varies with the individual but usually for many days even up
to around two weeks.
Generally
the results last longer than using a razor. (See shaving
page) The chemicals in depilatories reach down into the pores of
the skin thus removing hair below the level of the skin. As a result,
the hair takes longer to grow back.
What are the pros and cons of depilatories?
PROS:
Easy to apply, widely available over the counter, quick.
CONS:
Possible allergic skin reaction to the strong chemicals, messy application,
unpleasant odor, results vary widely.
Are depilatories safe to use during pregnancy?
There are various
views on this question. The bottom line is that the safety of depilatories
during pregnancy has not been established. As depilatories contain
strong chemicals which the body can absorb through the skin which
can affect the whole bodily system, some doctors advise avoiding
depilatory use during pregnancy and while nursing.
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In
conclusion: Depilatories
are a popular form of hair removal mainly due to the fact they are
inexpensive and easy to use from home.
The main disadavantages
are that they are a little messy to use, and can cause skin irritation.
As everyone
is different, why not experiment for yourself with various
depilatories and see if your particular skin
and hair characteristics make you a good candidate for depilatory
hair removal.
For
information on skin care visit: Skin
Care at BodyFAQ.com |
