Depilatory creams and lotions are products that remove unwanted hair without shaving or waxing. Depilatories work because they contain chemicals that dissolve keratin, the material that hair is made of.

To get the best results, wet a washcloth with warm water and apply it to the area you wish to denude. This softens the hair prior to application of the depilatory cream. After waiting the prescribed time (be careful not to leave the depilatory on longer than the maximum recommended time) wipe the area with a washcloth again, using a little pressure. Do not rub. This will help to remove the hair more effectively.

Depilatories are touted for being quick solutions to unwanted hair, but because of the waiting time involved, I don’t find them to be quicker than shaving. The advantages that a deplitory offers are that the results will last days longer than shaving and you won’t have to suffer nicks and cuts.

The disadvantages of depilatories are that they often have an unpleasant odor while they are working and they may irritate sensitive skin. Always do a patch test on your forearm to make sure you are not allergic or sensitive to the product. Do not use on broken skin.

The easiest product for application that I have seen is Nair’s Mousse. It automatically applies a good, thick layer that surrounds each hair and has added baby oil and aloe so it is gentle and healing for your skin. Average wait time for legs is about 8 minutes, maximum wait time is 15 minutes. Be careful never to exceed the maximum of 15 minutes.