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The amount of time, effort, and money required is a big pain.

So when someone poses an alternative that’s quick, cheap, and pain-free, we investigate.

Woman in a towel applying lotion to her legs

Stocksy

Meet the Experts

What Is a Depilatory?

Seriouslythat’s how you get nasty chemical burns.

If you’re new to depilatories, they’re probably simpler than you think.

First, a strong alkaline-based product is placed on the unwanted hair.

That solution then breaks down the hair into a jelly-like substance that’s easy to wipe off.

How to Use Depilatories

First things first: Do your research.

It helps seal in moisture, soothe cuts, and accelerate the skin healing process.

Are Depilatories Safe for Sensitive Skin?

Everyones skin is different, andthere is a range of sensitivity.

That said, depilatories shouldneverbe used on vulnerable skin.

Chang AC, Watson KM, Aston TL, Wagstaff MJ, Greenwood JE.

Depilatory wax burns: experience and investigation.Eplasty.

2011;11:e25.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Removing hair safely.

Updated June 30, 2010.

A review of the safety of cosmetic procedures during pregnancy and lactation.International Journal of Womens Dermatology.

2017;3(1):6-10. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.01.005

First aid for chemical burns.

1990;80(10):545-547. doi:10.7547/87507315-80-10-545