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Depilatory for Men

Depilatories have taken men's grooming to a new level altogether. This write-up explains what these products are like, how they work, their problems, and how to choose the best one.
Ashwini Kulkarni Sule
Earlier, facial hair or body hair was considered as a symbol of manhood. But the modern metrosexual men of today do not seem to comply with this definition. The rugged, masculine 'caveman' look is gone for good.
Today, men believe in achieving masculine yet smooth, hair-free bodies. They are willing to go that extra mile to get the desired results. Needless to say, some of the best hair removal products for men are now available in the market. Of all the products, depilatories are the most popular as they are painless and extremely convenient to use.
Depilatories are the products that remove hair from above the surface of the skin. Unlike epilatories, they do not uproot the hair from beneath the skin. As the root is untouched, these products are nearly painless. This is one of the main reasons why depilatory hair removal products are so popular amongst men.
Shaving, trimming, creams, and gels are all the methods of hair depilation. Women have been using these hair removal products for ages.
For a long time, some men contented themselves by using women's products for removing their hair. Unfortunately, women's hair removal products are not formulated for thick coarse male hair. As a result, these products produce little or no results for men.
However, considering the ever-rising demand for hair removal products, some cosmetic companies have introduced depilatories specially formulated for men.

How Does It Work?

The depilatories available in the market now are mostly in the form of creams, gels, or sprays. These creams contain compounds like sodium thioglycolate and calcium thioglycolate which react with the protein of the hair to disintegrate it. As a result, the hair comes out loose. Thus, this is a quick, simple, and painless procedure.
Unlike shaving, these products do not lead to coarse, thick regrowth of hair. The hair that grows back is of similar texture as before. Depilatories also prolong the period of hair regrowth.
Thus, you may only have to use it once every week or so, as opposed to shaving which is a daily affair. Moreover, you neither have to put up with unsightly ingrown hair nor endure the painful razor bumps.

How to Choose the Best One?

You need to consider a few factors before going for a depilatory. Since these products contain chemicals, they are not recommended for people with sensitive skin. Most depilatories for men are formulated for thick, coarse male hair.
However, you may need a stronger product if you happen to be of African-American origin. This type of hair is excessively coarse and denser than normal hair. As a result, the normal depilatory may not work for you.
Another important factor to be considered is the area from where you wish to remove hair. While using a facial depilatory, it is often recommended that you first do a patch test on some other area of your body. You definitely do not want an unpleasant allergic reaction on your face due to the cream.
These products are also not recommended for sensitive areas like genitalia or nasal hair. They can be safely used on arms, legs, underarms, back, chest, and buttocks. While using a depilatory on the buttocks, make sure you prevent it from entering the anal passage.

Problems

The chemical composition of these products do not make them safe for regular use. Some people may experience slight itching or burning of skin. However, if the irritation is persistent and prolonged, it is recommended that you discontinue the use of the product. People with lighter skin tones may experience redness for some time after application.
Prolonged use of these products may cause roughness of skin or even darkening in some cases. Many people use depilatories on a daily basis to achieve a clean-shaven look. However, it is not advisable to use these products on the face everyday.
Even though it may not be the most natural and healthy method, a depilatory is indeed an effective and comfortable way of removing unwanted hair.