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Hair Remover Savvy (If You Know What's Best For You)

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Hairchick.com - Hair Remover Savvy
Shaver gone stale? Wondering if there's a happy ending for your hairiness? There's a hair remover for everyone just waiting to be found!

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Shaver gone stale? Wondering if there's a happy ending for your hairiness? Read on my friend - we are fortunate to live in a world with a vast selection of hair removal products at our disposal. There is a hair remover for everyone and all you need to do is discover what's best for you.

What is Hair Remover?

It's a generic term for any product that gets rid of the hair. Bleaching is different because instead of removing your hair it just disguises it. Any product that gets rid of a hair for even a day can claim to be a hair remover, although in many cases the term applies to chemical ways to get rid of hair.

What types of Hair Remover are available?

Hair remover chemicals are sometimes called depilatories and they come in a few forms:

  • Creams: This is by far the most popular form of chemical hair removal. The thick goopy substance comes in a tube or bottle. The thinner formulas can be a bit runny and messy, but since there are so many cream formulas you are likely to eventually find one you like.
  • Lotions: Some hair removal chemicals come in a lighter formula than a cream. In the best of circumstances, they are less runny than creams.
  • Gels: Gels give you a little more control over where to put the hair remover because they do not run or drip. They are also more comfortable when you are waiting for the hair remover to work because they do not run down the skin. It's easier to wait for the product to work without making a mess of the bathroom.
  • Sprays: Sprays are easier to apply but harder to control. Using a spray I always end up spraying hair remover around a bit, which is not great since the chemicals may cause damage to clothes and some surfaces. Since the formula is so thin (a liquid, really) you may find that the stuff does not run down your skin and cause a big mess.
  • Roll-Ons: These are basically creams that come in a tube with a roll-on applicator. The roll-on makes applying the cream a bit easier.
  • Herbal Formulas: There are mixed reviews about these. I have never encountered an entirely herbal hair removal formula that works. I have seen herbal hair inhibitors which claim to slow down hair growth (they don't) and I have seen hair removal creams that claim to be herbal or natural. They have the same ingredients as all other depilatories, but generally have an herbal scent and pictures of leaves on the bottle. When you see an ad for an all-herbal hair remover, take the claims with a grain of salt.
  • Sticks: These look a bit like deodorant sticks and they make application a snap. No mess at all - just spread the stuff over your legs. Unfortunately, the stick depilatories I have tried have either irritated my skin more than creams, or have been ineffective in removing hair. It's a nice idea though - I keep hoping that some company will develop a good stick hair remover.
  • Patches: The hair remover is applied to the patch or cloth and applied to the skin. My brief foray into this type of hair remover was not happy - I found it more expensive, messier, and more complicated than other hair removers.

How does Hair Remover work?

Irrespective of how your hair remover is applied, chemical hair removers work by dissolving the hair. You apply the hair remover, wait for the required amount of time (usually about 5-10 minutes) and then rinse off carefully without rubbing the remover into your skin at all. Results can last up to a month and the irritation may last a few days. No matter what type of hair remover you decide on, be sure to do a patch test first to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction to the product. It may be a good idea to keep experimenting with a range of hair removal products until you ascertain the best.

Want to know more?

Check out these great articles:

  • The Celebration of Depilation! Our guide to hair removal creams.
  • Who Wears Short Shorts?! Get Hairchick's advice on Nair.
  • Nads - All natural hair removal at the root.