Cons Of Depilatory Creams On Skin

Chemical Burns

This is the most serious issue that some people complain about when using a depilatory cream. Harsh chemicals used in the manufacturing of the cream might harm the skin. The burn might literally look like as if you have had a fire accident. If the cream is not applied with caution, the burn can go to the extent of third degree.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

This is a common problem found among the users of depilatory creams due to its high alkaline nature. It is nothing but a rash. The protective layer of the skin goes away when the chemicals in the cream sit on the skin creating a rash. For sensitive skin, the rash appears very soon, while for others, it might take repeated use of the product. It is more painful and can spread.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

This is a rare case of rash that happens when the skin gets in contact with allergens. It mostly affects only the area of contact. The reason for this can be the chemical called thioglycolate or even fragrances. Once this allergy to a substance is developed by a person, it remains for a lifetime, and hence it is best to stop using the same again.

Use Of Cream On Open Skin

Using depilatory creams on the skin when there is a surface damage is a complete no-no. Cuts, wounds, or even acne will only aggravate the problem when creams are applied. This is because the chemicals in the cream will enter into the second layer of the skin, whereas the depilatory cream is meant only for the epidermis.

Darkening Of The Skin

Melanin is the pigment in the body that causes darkening of the skin. When the skin gets damaged, the melanin gets more concentrated in that area, making it appear dark. This does not happen at once but over time due to severe injury or repeated irritation. This can also be caused by the exposure of damaged skin to the sun.

Odour

Manufacturers of depilatory creams have tried their best to mask the overpowering smell of sulphur in thioglycolate chemical. It is very unpleasant to the nose. Fragrances of various kinds like jasmine and rose are added to correct it but even then the smell of the chemical never fades completely and it might linger on the skin even after a wash with soap.

Unsuitable For Sensitive Skin

People with sensitive skin must refrain from using depilatory creams and go for other methods of hair removal instead. When the chemicals come in contact with sensitive skin, the reactions are at a faster pace and might worsen to the extent of a blister, peeling off the skin or even leading to bleeding.

To avoid all these, the creams have to be used with extreme precaution. It is highly recommended by the manufacturers themselves that a patch test be conducted every time prior to application to check for any unusual reaction from the skin.