Shaving or waxing your pubic hair is a common routine for many men and women. Using hair removal creams is a great alternative, but many people wonder if they can use these types of products safely in their pubic area.
Yes, you can use hair removal creams on the bikini line, but avoid using them on your genitalia. In this article, we’ll also look at the risks of using hair removal cream in the pubic area and teach you how to use it safely.
Is it Safe to Use Hair Removal Cream on your Pubic Hair?
With the help of depilatory creams, you can remove unwanted hair from virtually every part of your body, including your bikini line. Some hair removal creams are formulated specifically for delicate areas, such as your face or the bikini zone.
However, be careful because, despite the fact that many hair removal creams can be used to remove pubic hair, they might not be appropriate for all of your pubic hair, such as thaton your genitalia!
The removal of hair from the bikini area refers to the region that is located close to your genitalia but it does NOT include the genitals themselves. Don't put hair removal creams on the vagin*, scrotum, testicl*s, or penis.
In order to lower your risk of getting an infection, you should avoid getting hair removal creams inside your vagin*l canal or near your rectum. You can apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the vulva, vagin*l canal, and rectum in order to block the cream from entering these areas.
What are the Possible Side Effects of Using a Hair Removal Cream on your Pubes?
If you have sensitive skin, you may experience more severe side effects from using hair removal creams in your pubic area. Hair removal creams contain chemicals that basically melt the hair at its surface.
Because of this, there’s a risk of you ending up with a first-, second-, or third-degree chemical burn. This usually happens when people forget to remove the product or leave it on their skin for too long, and this negative reaction is more likely to happen in the bikini zone, since the skin there is especially sensitive.
This is why it is extremely important to follow the directions carefully. Make sure that you apply the cream for the recommended amount of time and that you use it on the type of skin that the cream is intended for in order to avoid these side effects. Before using a hair removal cream on your pubic region, it is also essential to perform a patch test to make sure your skin is not intolerant to the product and to see if the product could be potentially too harsh on your skin.
It is normal for a hair removal cream to cause a mild tingling sensation while it sits on your skin. On the other hand, if you experience a burning sensation, you should immediately remove the cream with water. This sensation could indicate that your skin is overly sensitive, that you are allergic to some of the ingredients in the product, or that you've let it sit on your skin for too long.
If your skin feels sensitive to the touch, you can use an alkaline lotion to make the sensation subside or use a gentle moisturizer such as generic hydrocortisone cream, Aquaphor, or petroleum jelly.
Another thing to be cautious about, especially if you plan to go to the beach or pool, is sunburns. Make sure to put on sunscreen to protect your skin, as hair removal products make your skin more sensitive to the sun's rays. Some producers even advise against exposing your freshly treated skin to the sun for at least 24 hours after the application of hair removal cream.
After completing a home treatment, it is important to observe the affected area for any signs of inflammation or irritation. If any adverse reaction continues for more than a day, you should notify your dermatologist and have the area checked.
Hair Removal Ingredients to Look Out For on your Pubic Area?
Thioglycolic acid is typically the primary active component found in hair removal creams. This acid can usually be found in these depilatory products in the form of salts, like potassium and calcium thioglycolates, but it can also be found in its undiluted form (as a pure acid). When combined with other components, thioglycolic acid is able to degrade keratin, which is a protein that occurs naturally in hair.
People who have sensitive skin and are thinking about using a hair removal cream should search for formulations with specific skin-soothing ingredients. There are specific formulas available that contain sedative and calming agents such as chamomile, aloe vera, vitamin E, calendula, almond oil, and cocoa butter, in addition to other anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Is Hair Removal Better than Shaving your Pubic Area?
Both hair removal creams and shaving remove hair from the top layer of the skin. In contrast to shaving, depilatory creams leave behind a significantly lower number of skin papules and other lesions, which is probably the reason why there is less chance for the occurrence of ingrown hairs.
In most cases, the redness and irritation caused by hair removal cream subside much more quickly than the minor nicks and cuts that can be caused by using a razor.
Will Hair Removal Cream make your Pubes Thicker?
According to hair removal cream producers, the use of hair removal creams doesn't affect either the rate at which your pubic hair grows back or its thickness(though you can make them softer).
However, a 2021 study conducted on mice found that during the first and second week after use, depilatory creams encouraged hair entry into the growing phase and increased the number of hair follicles in the subcutaneous tissue (the deepest layer of the skin).
Based on these findings, it appears that the depilatory creams that are currently on the market cause a temporary mild inflammatory response in the skin and raise the levels of cytokines (proteins our immune cells use to communicate), both of which have the potential to influence the growth of hair in the future.
Can Hair Removal Cream cause Ingrown Pubic Hair?
Not at all. Hair removal creams are actually less likely to cause ingrown hairs. This should come as no surprise considering that hairs are chemically dissolved rather than physically cut.
Thus, if you want to reduce the likelihood of getting ingrown hairs in your bikini area, you could try replacing a razor with hair removal creams, especially if you shave your pubes often.
