How does veet hair removal work

You can reuse each strip until it loses its grip. Place a strip onto your skin and rub it repeatedly. Rub the strip in the direction that your hair grows. For waxing legs, rub the strip from knee to ankle. Exercise the same caution as if using the removal cream. Do not apply it to the head, face, genitals, or other sensitive private areas.

Don't apply the wax strips to varicose veins, moles, scars, or irritated skin. If you experience irritation, remove the wax by using a Perfect Finish wipe from the box. Alternatively, you can use cotton balls soaked in baby oil or body oil. Since the wax is resin based, it will not rinse off with just water. Be sure that the hair you are waxing is at least between mm long.

Hair that is shorter than 2 mm may not adhere well to the wax and therefore will not be pulled during removal. Immediately pull the strip back on itself. The quicker you pull the strip off, the higher your chances are of removing most of the hair.

Remove the strip in the opposite direction of hair growth. This will increase the likelihood of hair being pulled. Hold the skin taut with one hand and make sure you keep the strip parallel to the skin.

This will maximize effectiveness and minimize discomfort. Avoid pulling the strips outward as this will only break the hairs. Wipe the waxed area with a Perfect Finish cloth. You can also shower to better remove waxy residue from your skin. Wait 24 hours before applying antiperspirant and perfume products, or before sunbathing. Since waxed skin may still be tender, doing these things may cause irritation or discomfort. I heard that Veet hair removal cream would darken the area where it is used.

Is that true? Yes, especially if you have darker skin. Many people find that their underarms get darker after using the cream. Not Helpful 28 Helpful You should wait until your hair grows out for the best effect. Veet works best if your hair is fully grown out. Not Helpful 3 Helpful I have tried Veet to remove hair, but it does not seem to get the roots, only the surface hair. Should I use waxing strips to remove the roots? Yes, but do not use them immediately after the Veet, as this may cause a painful burning sensation.

Not Helpful 9 Helpful The wax is too wet and does not remove hair. It also leaves a lot of residue. What do I do? Wash the area, so that no residue is left, and always avoid wet areas when waxing.

Not Helpful 10 Helpful No, it does not. It leaves the skin smoother than shaving, but it is exactly like shaving. It only removes the hair above the skin and not the root. Not Helpful 12 Helpful It's easier with the spatula, but you don't have to.

You can just apply it with your hands! Removing the cream is also easier with the spatula but if you don't have one you can also use toilet paper. Not Helpful 7 Helpful Dryness, itching, rashes, and skin sensitivity are common side effects. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5. No, if you're using the Veet removal cream it lasts about 3 days before it starts getting prickly, and about 10 days before it starts growing back fully.

If you're using wax it also does not permanently remove the hair, although it lasts longer than the cream it lasts about 5 days before it's prickly and 2 weeks before it starts fully growing back , but it is the more painful version. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3. Not Helpful 4 Helpful 6. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Don't put it on cuts because it will burn a lot!

Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Now there is a spray on veet that comes in a handy spray bottle. It is a lot easier than the usual tube or bottle! Don't throw the cream after one use. If you have thin hair, you can reuse it.

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The all-too-familiar feeling of bumpy and irritated skin; the precious time sucked away by meticulously searching for that one stray hair; and the copious amounts of money spent on painful waxes, are all things we do so our skin can feel smooth and silky. But there's another option for hair removal: depilatory cream. If you've heard about the benefits of depilatory cream to remove body hair—including that it's easy, cheap, and painless—then perhaps you've already been tempted to swap out your other hair removal methods for it.

It's important to note, however, that depilatories can cause chemical burns and other harmful reactions if not used correctly. That's why we reached out to three trustworthy skincare sources—renowned facialist and esthetician Rhea Souhleris Grous, board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD, and licensed esthetician Jodi Shays, to learn how to use depilatory hair removal cream safely.

Read on for their expert advice that will take you one step closer to smoother and softer skin. Meet the Expert. Unlike razor hair removal, which severs the hair at the skin level, "a depilatory will penetrate to and through the follicle but does not target the root," adds Shamban. Depilatory creams are incredibly effective at what they're designed to do, and many people use them to remove hair on both their body and face. Some venture as far as the bikini line, but due to the nature of these products, it's important to be careful and not use them too close to your genitals, eyes, or nose.

Seriously—that'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.

First, you might make a mess. Creams can be messy before they start working, and getting rid of the cream plus broken-down hair is a challenge. Another problem results from uneven application. If you don't spread the cream on smoothly over an entire area, such as your leg, then you might end up with a patchy look in which some spots are hairless and others are not. The potentially big problem associated with hair removal creams has to do with chemistry.

Depilatory creams contain harsh chemicals, and the alkalis that dissolve hair can irritate or burn skin and cause allergic reactions. Just like hair, skin contains keratin, the protein targeted by alkaline chemicals.

When using a hair removal cream, make sure that you follow the directions and read any warnings on the product. You should conduct a patch skin test at least 24 hours before applying the cream over a large area, especially if you have not used hair removal cream before. The skin test will indicate whether you have a reaction or are allergic to the chemicals in the cream. Depilatory users have reported suffering from burns, blisters, rashes, stinging sensations and skin peeling [source: U.

If redness or itching develops in the application area, throw out the cream and try something else. In the event of a chemical burn, you should wash the area thoroughly and remove all traces of the cream, then wrap the affected area in a loose, clean, dry cloth. You may want to consult a physician for further treatment. If your skin shows no reaction to the cream, then examine the target area for cuts, scrapes and any other surface damage.

Don't use a depilatory if you've shaved recently. You may have razor nicks and cuts that you can't see. If the cream gets into them, it will irritate your skin. Depilatories should not be used around the eyes, including on the eyebrows. Remember, above all, that hair removal creams are topical ointments meant for the surface of your skin.

So you've made up your mind to try a hair removal cream. Before you head to the store, read on to find out how to make an informed choice among the many available options. If you are a woman with excessive hair growth on your face, you may have considered using Vaniqa. This prescription drug works by slowing down enzymes that help hair grow. It does not stop hair growth, however. Doctors prescribe Vaniqa primarily for women who have excessive hair growth under their chins.

Users spread the cream on the area where they want to inhibit hair growth after removing the existing hair [source: Mayo Clinic ].

Deciding which hair removal cream to use depends on a number of factors. Believe it or not, your gender is the least important issue. Certainly, men tend to have coarser hair, and that may affect which product they buy, but there are several other issues to consider. The most important factors in selecting a chemical depilatory are skin sensitivities and allergies. If you are prone to rashes and breakouts or have had reactions to other topical ointments and skin products, you should check with your doctor before trying any hair removal cream.

Some creams are formulated specifically for sensitive skin, and they may include moisturizer and aloe to soothe irritated skin. Other creams contain stronger formulations for coarser hair that may cause greater skin irritation. The next factor to consider is the area of unwanted hair. For example, you should never use hair removal cream designed for your back on your pubic area.

You're best off using a depilatory specifically designed for your bikini line, because the skin around your genitals is so sensitive. You also shouldn't use a chemical depilatory on any area that your underwear covers, since this can cause additional irritation [sources: Segal ]. You'll also need to decide whether you prefer roll-on creams, gels or other types of products. It's easier to apply roll-ons more neatly than other products, but they may not be as thick as you need them to be.

If you don't like the feel of creams, gels are a potential option. When in doubt about your decision, ask a dermatologist for recommendations. Now that you know what to look for and what to ask, you're ready to make the best choice possible for your hair removal needs. If you're going to put up with the smell and mess, make sure you get it right. Do not be stingy with the cream -- cover any unwanted hair thoroughly. Use a timer or clock, because you don't want to leave the chemicals on your skin too long.

If burning, stinging or itching occurs -- even before the buzzer goes off -- remove the depilatory immediately. Sign up for our Newsletter!