Hair Removal With Depilatories

Depilatories are those hair removal products that can be found in a lotion, cream, gel, aerosol, or roll-on format. These are usually very highly alkaline formulations, but in some cases can be very acidic. These products attack the protein makeup within the hair molecules, causing it to simply melt away or dissolve into a jelly-like state that can easily be wiped away. Consumers should always be extremely careful to follow the instructions for these products and heed all warnings that can usually be found on the product’s label.

For instance, most manufacturers will typically recommend that you perform a preliminary test on a small area of skin before applying a full application of the product. This test can save you from a lot of discomfort, or even a trip to the emergency room in case you develop an allergic reaction and other sorts of irritation resulting from the product. Depilatories should never be used anywhere near your eyes since blindness can result. This includes the eyebrows! They should also never be used around inflamed or broken skin.

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Office of Cosmetics and Colors has received many reports of burns, blisters, stinging, itchy rashes, and skin peeling associated with the various depilatories and other types of cosmetic hair removers. If you experience any sort of reaction after using this type of product, you should seek professional medical attention immediately.