Tired of shaving but don’t want to endure the pain of waxing? Then hair removal cream may be your best choice. Hair removal creams are cheap, work quickly, and are easy to use. Read on to learn how to use hair removal cream safely and effectively to keep your skin clean and smooth for up to a week.

Preparation before Use

Find a hair removal cream that suits your skin. There are various brands of hair removal creams on the market, and there are many choices within the same brand. When choosing a hair removal cream, you need to consider your skin’s sensitivity and where you’re going to use it. Some companies even offer waterproof hair removal creams that can be used in the shower.

• The skin on the face and bikini area is relatively sensitive, so be sure to choose a special hair removal cream.
• If you have sensitive skin, choose a hair removal cream that contains ingredients such as aloe vera and green tea. Consult a doctor or dermatologist before use.
• Hair removal creams come in many forms, including sprays, gels, and roll-ons.
• Roll-on hair removal creams don’t get all over the place like creams or gels, but creams and gels make it easy to control the amount you apply, and generally the thicker you apply, the better.
• One of the ingredients in hair removal creams often smells like rotten eggs, so if you’re sensitive to smells, it’s best to choose a scented hair removal cream. However, additives can make skin more susceptible to irritation.

If you have very sensitive skin, have a skin condition, or are taking medications that may affect your skin, it’s best to talk to your doctor first. When hair removal cream is applied directly to the skin, the chemicals that break down hair proteins will also interact with skin proteins, possibly causing allergic reactions. If you meet the following conditions, be sure to ask your doctor before using hair removal cream:

• Take retinol, acne medication, or other medications that increase skin sensitivity.
• Have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea.

Even if you have used hair removal cream before, always perform an allergy test 24 hours before use. Hormone levels in our bodies are constantly changing and can cause changes in our skin. Even if there were no problems when using hair removal cream before, the chemical reaction of the skin may change slightly afterward, and it may cause allergies this time.

• Apply a small amount of hair removal cream to the area where you want to remove hair. Apply and wait for a certain amount of time as directed, then cleanse properly.
• If there is no allergic reaction in the test area within the next 24 hours, you can use the hair removal cream with confidence.

Check the skin for any cuts, scrapes, moles, scars, cold sores, irritated or sunburned areas. You want to minimize the chance of your skin having an allergic reaction, rash, or chemical burns to the hair removal cream. Do not apply hair removal cream directly to scars or moles. If your skin is sunburned, rashed, or cut, wait until it is completely healed before using hair removal cream.

• If you’ve shaved recently, you may have tiny cuts on your skin. Wait a day or two before using hair removal cream.

Take a shower or bath and dry your skin thoroughly. Make sure there is no lotion or other residue on your skin that could prevent the hair removal cream from working. Be sure to dry your skin as most hair removal creams need to be used on dry skin.

• Don’t use hot water, as this can dry out your skin and make it more susceptible to irritation.
• Soaking in warm water softens hairs, making them easier to break down. This helps remove very coarse hair, such as pubic hair.

Use Hair Removal Cream

Read and follow the instructions that come with the hair removal cream carefully. Different brands and different products within the same brand have their instructions for use. Some hair removal creams may only take 3 minutes to work, while others may take 10 minutes. Follow directions to achieve the best results while helping to protect your skin.

• If the instructions that come with the product are missing, there are usually instructions on the bottle or tube. If not, then check out the company’s website, which should have instructions for using each hair removal cream.
• Check the expiration date on your hair removal cream to make sure it has not expired. Expired hair removal cream may not work well and come out with poor results.

Apply a thick layer of hair removal cream evenly to the hair to be removed. Use your fingers or a spatula if you have one. Just spread the hair removal cream and don’t rub it into your skin. If applying with fingers, wash hands immediately afterward.

• Uneven application may result in incomplete hair removal, with sparse hair in some places and thick hair in other places. The patches are very unsightly and are not the result you want.
• Hair removal cream should never be used on the nostrils, ears, skin around the eyes (including eyebrows), genitals, anus, or nipples.

Wait as directed. Probably between 3 minutes and 10 minutes, rarely more than 10 minutes. Most instructions recommend checking a small area of skin halfway through to see if hair has been removed. The shorter the hair removal cream remains on the skin, the less chance of redness and irritation.

• Leaving hair removal cream on for too long can damage your skin, so set an egg timer or use the timer on your phone to make sure you don’t exceed the time limit.
• Mild skin tingling is normal, but if you start to feel burning, or see redness or irritation, remove the hair removal cream immediately. Depending on your skin reaction, you may need to contact your doctor to ask how to treat your skin.
• When using hair removal cream, there will be a smell. This is a side effect of the chemical reaction that breaks down hair and is completely normal.

Apply the hair removal cream with a damp cloth or the spatula provided with the product. Apply the hair removal cream gently without applying too much pressure. Rinse with warm water to make sure all the hair removal cream is removed. If not washed off, residual chemicals can continue to react with the skin, causing rashes or chemical burns.

• Pat skin dry gently without scrubbing.
• Apply moisturizer to the hair removal area to keep the skin smooth and moisturized.

After using hair removal cream, there is no need to worry if your skin becomes slightly red or itchy. This is normal. After using the hair removal cream, immediately change into loose clothes and do not scratch the hair removal area. If the redness and discomfort persist or get worse after a few hours, see your doctor.

Heed the warnings in the directions for use, such as avoiding sun exposure, swimming, and tanning for 24 hours. You should also wait 24 hours before using antiperspirant or fragrance-containing products.

• Do not shave or use hair removal cream on the same area again within 72 hours after hair removal.