Guide to Home Hair Removal With Cream, Wax and Razors

Removing hair at home is practical and economical, but each method has advantages and drawbacks, and different skin types have different needs. Compare creams, wax and razors with particular attention to sensitive skin.

A Quick Comparison of Methods

• Razors: the quickest and least expensive; they cut hair at the skin surface, so it returns within days. Incorrect use may cause small cuts or ingrown hair.
• Depilatory Creams: dissolve hair chemically at the skin surface without pain, with results slightly longer than shaving. They may irritate sensitive skin if left longer than specified.
• Wax and Sugaring: remove hair from the root, so results last weeks, but are relatively painful and require suitable hair length.

Depilatory Creams

Before first use, test cream on a small area for only the stated time, then wait 24 hours. Do not use it if redness, burning or itching appears. Never exceed the specified time, and rinse immediately if it stings. Use each cream only on the area named on its pack; body cream is not for the face unless stated.

• Veet Silk & Fresh Sensitive Skin Hair Removal Cream 100 g— a formula labelled for sensitive skin.
• Veet Normal Skin Hair Removal Cream 100 g— a Veet cream for normal skin.
• Nair Rose Hair Removal Cream 110 g— a rose-scented Nair depilatory cream.
• Nair Lemon Hair Remover Spray 200 ml— a spray format for easier application to legs.

Wax and Sugar Paste

The American Academy of Dermatology advises hair length of about half a centimetre to two centimetres before waxing, with completely clean, dry skin for wax adhesion. If using retinol products on the face, stop them several days before facial waxing. Pull the strip quickly against hair growth while holding the skin taut with the other hand.

• Veet Sensitive Skin Leg & Body Wax Strips 20 Strips— ready-to-use body strips labelled for sensitive skin.
• Veet Normal Skin Legs & Body Wax Strip 20 Strips 4 Wipes— body and leg strips for normal skin, supplied with wipes.
• Veet Face Wax Strips 20 Strips— smaller strips for the face.
• Film Wax Beads 500 g— wax beads melted before use, for those preferring hot wax.
• Kenoz Sweet White Hair Removal Paste 370 g— hair-removal paste in a 370 g pack.

Blades and Razors

For gentler shaving, wet skin and hair first, preferably just after showering, then apply shaving gel or cream, preferably labelled for sensitive skin if yours is dry or sensitive. Shave in the direction of hair growth, rinse the blade after each stroke, and replace the blade or discard a disposable razor after about 5 to 7 uses.

• Gillette Venus Smooth Sensitive Razor Handle + 2 Heads— triple-blade Venus razors from the Sensitive range.
• Venus Simply 3 Sensitive Disposable Razor 3 Count— disposable razors labelled for sensitive skin.
• Gillette Simply Venus 3 Razors 8+4 Pieces— a pack of 8 razors plus 4 extra.
• Gillette Venus Riviera Disposable Razor 2 Units— two Gillette Venus disposable razors.
• Gillette Venus Comfort Glide Razor with 1 Refill 1 Set— a replaceable-blade razor with an extra blade.
• Gillette Venus Comfortglide Breeze Razor Head Refills 4 Pieces— replacement blades for a Venus ComfortGlide razor.
• RDI Sensitive Skin Shaving Gel 500 ml— shaving gel labelled for sensitive skin, 500 ml.
• NIVEA Protect Care Shaving Cream 100 ml— a Nivea shaving cream in a 100 ml pack.

For the Face and Small Areas

• Feather Flamingo Facial Razor 3 Pieces— small facial blades.
• Panasonic ER-GN30-K Nose & Facial Hair Trimmer 1 Unit— a nose and facial-hair trimmer.

After Hair Removal

Rinse the area with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a gentle, unscented moisturiser. Avoid fragrance, deodorant and direct sun on the area that day, and do not combine two removal methods on the same area on the same day.

• Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream 85 g— a gentle moisturiser used after hair removal to reduce dryness.

Important Precautions

• Do not use cream or wax on broken, inflamed or sunburned skin, or over moles or warts.
• If you have diabetes or poor circulation, or use prescription skin medicines, consult a doctor or pharmacist before waxing or using creams.
• If spots or ingrown hairs repeatedly appear after shaving, try another method or consult a dermatologist.

For more, browse the Feminine Care and Body Care sections.