Nair Hair Removal Review: What is Nair?

If you’re tired of shaving regularly, then you’ve probably looked at alternate options. One method that isn’t new to the market is depilatories. Depilatories are cream or lotions that remove unwanted hair without a razor. You can find Nair For Men and also Nair For Women.
One of the more well-known depilatories available today is Nair. Nair hair removal became popular in the 1990s, and the product is still available today. You can find it at most local shops and buy Nair online. The way that it works is fairly simple. You apply a layer to the skin wherever you have unwanted hair. It dissolves hair so that it can be wiped away easily.

What Is Nair?

Nair is a type of chemical depilatory. It primarily works by removing the hair shaft rather than the root of the hair that is located below the skin’s surface.

This product certainly isn’t new, though. Before this product was available, some people had used lye or calcium oxide. These other methods came with some risks, though. To get an idea of how well this product works and if it’s right for you, this review covers what the average person should know before using.

How Does Nair Work?

A chemical hair remover works by targeting the structure of the hair. The hair on your body is made up of protein compounds known as keratin. They are twisted into bundles like yarn and form a structure with chemical bonds. The chemicals target these bonds directly. The result is that the hair is dissolved.

Nair works in about 10 minutes or less. The makers recommend that you apply the cream or gel with a spatula in the areas where you have unwanted hair. Typically, it’s left in place for five minutes, and if the hair is still intact, then wait up to 10 minutes. You can then wipe away or wash away the hair.

Ingredients

Nair contains both active and inactive ingredients. Some ingredients are responsible for the actual hair removal, while the inactive ones may work to dilute or provide structure to the gel or lotion. The active compounds in Nair include the following:

  • Potassium or calcium salts or thioglycolic acid
  • A base of sodium hydroxide, calcium, or potassium

The base chemicals in Nair work on the hair shaft, causing it to open or swell. This allows the chemical salts to actually enter the hair follicle and break apart the chemical bonds that allow it to stay together. Nair attacks the sulfur bonds, which may cause an unpleasant smell. People who use Nair often notice that they notice an egg-like smell by using it.

Studies showed that it does not affect plant fibers. Cotton, rayon, and polyester all kept their structure when Nair was applied. This is likely because both synthetic and natural fibers don’t contain any sulfur bonds. The good news is that if you get Nair on your clothing, you won’t have any damage.

Nair may also contain the following ingredients:

  • Water
  • Fragrance
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Cetyl alcohol
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Sodium silicate

Where Can I Use Nair?

Although you should always read the back of the packaging, the most commonplace to use is on the legs. It can be easily used to cover larger areas in just several minutes. If you happen to have thick or coarser hair on your legs, then you may want to leave in on for 10 minutes. Also, consider Nair Leg Mask.

Nair Face Cream is a milder version for facial hair. This usually contains a tool to apply Nair in only the desired area. Since the hair on the face is more delicate, you should not use other types of Nair on your face as it may irritate. Nair Face Cream should also not be used to remove hair in your nose, eyebrows, or any areas around your eyes.

Nair can be usually used on pubic hair, but this is also a sensitive area. It’s a good idea to remove it by using a non-irritating cloth rather than a plastic spatula. It may also be worth speaking to your partner before going through the procedure, as they may prefer hair in the pubic area!

This is the same for men that want to use Nair on their balls/testicles.

You are advised NOT to use Nair on sensitive areas such as your nipples.

Additionally, Nair is often used on stubble but sometimes with limited results. Nair can only work on hair that’s grown above the skin. For stubble, that is short, or just at the skin’s surface, it may not be very effective.

How Often Do I Need to Use Nair?

Nair’s effectiveness may vary from person to person. It ultimately depends on how quickly your hair grows. In most cases, it will get rid of unwanted hair for a week up to a month. Since it removes the shaft and not the root, it is comparable to shaving, although you won’t be cutting hair with a razor. If you find that you shave once a week, you’ll probably find themselves using Nair once a week.

Potential Side Effects

Although Nair can usually be used safely, there are some possible side effects. This is why the makers of Nair recommend that you test a small area of skin before using it on a larger area. Side effects can include:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Chemical burns
  • Irritation
  • Blisters
  • Rash

Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, it may be a good idea to use the mild formula on your entire body. People who are allergic to perfumes have sometimes found that they are also allergic to Nair. It’s also recommended that you avoid using skin products immediately after using a depilatory. This may lead to irritation when using multiple products at a time.

Does Nair Work?

Some users swear by Nair hair removal. They like that it’s easy to use and also fast-acting. They also find that it works well for all skin and hair types. Unlike waxing or laser hair removal, Nair is an inexpensive option that is even easier than shaving.

Takeaway

Nair works to remove hair by functioning as a chemical depilatory. It’s both effective and economical for anyone who is looking for hair removal. Some people may find that they develop irritated skin, but this is fairly rare. When using Nair as directed, it works well for hair removal.

Also, see our article on Veet hair removal product

Veet Hair Removal

There are several ways to remove your hair. Some are permanent like laser which requires several sessions and trips to a qualified practitioner (which means you need to spend some cash), but it is permanent. Others are semi-permanent like shaving but you are prone to irritation and it isn’t suitable for sensitive skin. If you have already taken the choice of getting rid of your body hair we are going to talk about a brand that almost everyone knows: Veet. This brand specializes in different hair removal products and promises to get rid of undesired hair while keeping your skin smooth. We are going to talk about each product the brand offers and which is more suitable for you.

Veet Hair Removal Cream

This is by far one of the most popular products from the brand. It is a cream that contains chemicals able to break the structure of the hair. The application process is pretty easy. This cream work for several areas:

  • Armpits
  • Arms
  • Abdomen
  • Bikini zone
  • Legs
  • Any area where the razor can’t reach

Just apply the cream over the desired area, wait for 3 to 6 minutes and rinse with water. This cream works due to two ingredients: potassium hydroxide and potassium thioglycolate which help to break disulfide bonds of keratin molecules and reduces the strength of hair.

Benefits

  • No need for salon appointments
  • Painless
  • It contains nourishing ingredients like aloe Vera, shea butter or vitamin E to keep your skin soft and smooth
  • Long-lasting results
  • Works of short and thick hair

Considerations

  • There are different types of Veet hair removal cream that work for normal or sensitive skin
  • The time you need to leave the cream varies on the thickness of your hair
  • Exfoliate the skin 24 hours before applying the cream
  • Wash your skin with water before applying the cream. It will open up the pores and the hair will be removed easier
  • Test the product in a small area before applying the cream to make sure there are not going to be bad reactions
  • Do not exceed the 10 minute application time
  • Don’t apply over skin with sunburns, breakouts, or irritation
  • Do not expose your skin to the sun after using the cream
  • Don’t use this cream to remove facial hair

Veet Cold Wax Strips

To achieve depilation with more precision waxing is the best choice. But to do this you don’t need to schedule a salon appointment, you can easily do it at home with the Veet cold wax strips. There are several methods of waxing and cold waxing is one of the safest and most effective to get rid of stubborn hair. Hot wax is another popular option but it isn’t easy to apply it at home and if the wax is too hot it can burn the skin.

The cold wax is pre-applied to pulling strips that are able to remove the hair quickly and easily. The strips have nourishing ingredients that will leave your skin smooth and soft.

To use it prepare your skin first. Exfoliate your body so the strips can adhere easily. Press the strips on dried skin down in the direction of hair growth. Pull the strip in the opposite direction of hair growth. Repeat until all the hair is removed and clean off the excess wax.

Benefits

  • You get rid of hair fast unlike the hair removal cream which you need to leave on for certain minutes
  • It is less painful than warm waxing
  • Comfortable to use and less messy than warm wax because you can dispose of the strips easily
  • It is able to pull out hair as short as 1.5 mm
  • You can use it in hard-to-reach areas
  • Pulls the hair from the root so it takes longer to grow back

Considerations

  • To get rid of facial hair use the cold wax face strips
  • They work for different skin types
  • Avoid exposing the skin to the sun after waxing
  • Don’t use it on the vagina, back, or chest
  • You can cut the strips to reach small areas
  • Do not apply to irritated skin
  • Your skin needs to be dry before applying the wax
  • Do not use the wax strips for more than two times

Veet in Shower Cream

This product is similar to the hair removal cream but with the difference that you will use it on the shower. This cream contains chemicals that are able to dissolve the keratin and make it weak to help you get rid of hair easily. It is formulated with water-resistant ingredients so they can stay in your skin while you are on the shower.

The application process is simple and you don’t need to make time for depilation because you can easily do it while taking a shower. Apply a thick layer of the product to the skin with the soft side of the sponge that comes with the product. Leave the product for 6 or 10 minutes if you have sensitive skin. Avoid exposing your skin directly to water during that time. Use the rough side of the sponge to remove the product and unwanted hair. Rinse with water to get rid of excess product.

Benefits

  • Get rid of the hair with no effort
  • It contains nourishing ingredients that prevent irritation and leave your skin smooth
  • Gets rid of short and thick hair
  • The fastest way to remove hair
  • It is comfortable

Considerations

  • Always try a patch test before using the product to make sure there won’t be any allergic reactions
  • Do not expose your skin to the sun after using the product
  • After removing the product avoid rubbing the skin with the towel. Use soft movements to prevent irritation

Final Thoughts

According to your skin type, lifestyle, and preferences you can choose this product that is more suitable for what you need. No matter which one you choose, Veet hair removal products are an effective way to easily get rid of unwanted hair while keeping your skin healthy and preventing irritations.
For a complete list of Veet Hair Removal Products visit the official Veet website

To learn more about Nair (Veet’s competition), read our article here

Barium Sulfide – Benefits And Dangers To The Body

Barium sulfide is a form of an inorganic chemical compound. That means that it is a combination of at least two other chemicals that are mixed in a specific proportion. Because of this chemical characteristic, it is used in many different ways.

First, barium sulfide is a vital precursor. It is used to produce other substances with the barium. This alkaline compound has found its way in the medical field and is considered to be a short-wavelength emitter that can show up on scans and Xrays. As a result, it helps to produce clear images of the body’s soft tissues.

Barium sulfide is also very popular in the cosmetics industry. Barium sulfide is one of the active and most used ingredients used in depilatory creams to remove hair. It’s normally used in conjunction with other active ingredients for hair removal. The use of this chemical compound has been around for more than 90 years!

Depilatory Creams and Barium Sulfide

The use of depilatory creams started around the 1920s. Note that this is the period when the design of clothes began to change. People started wearing clothes that showed more skin. As a result, they began to get interested in hair removal techniques. With the introduction of shorter and sleeveless clothing, people became interested in removing body hair from areas such as the armpits, upper arm, and shoulders.

The first type of depilatory creams contained natural arsenic trisulphide and slaked lime. They used to be combined with water. However, arsenic trisulphide is not safe, and it’s considered to be poisonous. So, barium sulfide was introduced because it’s much safer. It was the apparent safety of barium sulfide that helped it enter the cosmetic industry.

Barium Sulfide For Hair Removal

The inorganic compound of barium sulfide is part of the ingredients of most shaving and depilatory creams. This chemical can break hair down. As a result, it makes the removal process of body hair easier. You need to apply the cream over the skin and wait for the chemical agent in this compound to start working. Once the hairs’ protein structure dissolves, you can easily remove the hair. Note that this process can take 10 minutes or more, depending on hair growth.

Please ensure that you also take account of barium sulfide hair removal side effects which you can read more about below.

How Barium Sulfide Chemically Acts

This inorganic compound disintegrates the body’s natural hair, creating an amorphous mass. This makes it easy for you to rinse, wipe, or scrape it off your skin.

But how does this process occur?

Hair contains keratin protein. This protein is the main component that makes up the body’s hair shaft. When you apply a cosmetic product that contains barium sulfide, it mainly acts on this protein.

Keratin contains cysteine amino-acids with disulfide bonds. These bonds are responsible for giving keratin its strength as well as elasticity. And although these bonds are incredibly strong, it’s also easy to break them down. One of the best compounds to break these bonds are alkaline reducing agents.

So, using a depilatory with barium sulfide can act as a great hair removal solution as it helps to break down the disulfide bonds. As a result, they alter the hairs’ natural chemistry. This chemical effect is the reason why depilatories are the best products for quick and long-lasting hair removal of body hair.

Preparation for Hair Removal

Wash the area in which you want to remove the body hair. Use a mild cleanser and warm water then pat it dry. If you are using a Barium Sulfide product for the first time, you need to apply it on a small patch of skin. This helps to determine your skin’s sensitivity and reaction to the chemical compound. Note that you need to wait for a few hours before you can proceed with the application process in case you notice that’s it’s safe to use it.

Note that the level of concentration also plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of the Barium Sulfide depilatory. If you are going to choose a product with this chemical, ensure it contains a glycol such glycerin. This helps to reduce the chances of skin irritability. Besides that, the coarseness of your body hair. The finer it is, the less time the sulfide will act on it.

Dangers of Barium Sulfide to the Body

Using barium sulfide to remove body hair is great. It acts quickly and the results are usually good. However, this inorganic compound is a very powerful chemical. This means that its application can result in allergies and skin irritations. So, using large amounts if this alkaline substance can lead to severe skin burns.

Other Dangers

This chemical is normally used with topical products. However, it can accidentally find its way into the body via inhalation or ingestion. So, what dangers does it pose to the body?

Inhalation

Acute inhalation of this chemical can result in a burning sensation. Besides that, it can make you feel like you are chocking. This is because it destroys the mucous membranes which are found on the throat and nose. On the other hand, chronic inhalation can cause throat and nose irritation. In case you notice any of these effects after using or coming into contact with his sulfide, make sure that you consult with your doctor as soon as possible.

Eye Contact

You may accidentally touch your eyes after using a product with barium sulfide. Note that acute eye contact can make your eyes painful. You may end up even tearing. This occurs because the chemical interferes with the normal functions of the eye’s cornea. When eye contact is chronic, you will end up tearing and feeling irritation. This effect may also result in corneal opacity.

Skin Contact

Hair removal products with barium are meant to be applied to the skin. However, the skin also contains protein, just like hair. Besides that, there are some instances where the skin is broken or burned hence its opened. So, when the barium ions penetrate through the open skin cells, it may cause severe irritation. Its alkaline PH interferes with the skin’s natural PH balance. However, the irritation is usually extreme when you over-expose your skin to this chemical.

Ingestion

Like it’s stated above, barium sulfide has an alkaline nature. So, if you accidentally ingest it, it may interfere with the acidic nature of the digestive system. The alkaline PH can easily destroy the stomach’s lining. In case you ingest high amounts of this chemical, you may end up with alkali burns which are painful.

Barium Sulfide Hair Removal Side Effects

The digestive effect of this inorganic compound is severe abdominal pain in addition to purging with bloody or watery stool. Some people may also end up vomiting or feeling nauseous. However, these side effects normally disappear after the body eliminates the excess barium content. This mainly happens via feces.

Other notable side effects include muscle twitching which may also involve muscle paralysis. Note that if you inhale extremely high amounts of this compound, you may end up with respiratory muscle paralysis. This is a serious condition that may be fatal. Others end up with headaches, confusion, and dizziness. Well, these serious side effects occur only when there is over-exposure to Barium Sulfide.

The Carcinogenic Effect of Barium Sulfide

Normally, depilatory creams with Barium Sulfide are designed for topical use. You need to apply them on the skin. So, can it result in skin cancer? Well, there is no evidence at the moment that suggests so. Neither sulfide nor barium has been found to be carcinogenic.

Caution

It’s clear now that Barium Sulfide is harmful when inhaled and ingested. It interferes with the respiratory functions and may cause eye damage. So, do not taste, inhale, or ingest it! You need to wash your hands thoroughly after touching any product that contains Barium Sulfide. When applying this compound, make sure that the room is well-ventilated.

In case you orally consume Barium Sulfide, drink lots of water or milk as soon as you can. Besides that, you can drink water that contains dissolved Glauber’s salt or Epsom salts. Avoid inducing vomiting not unless you have been directed to do so by professional medical personnel. In case this chemical compound comes into contact with your eyes, wash them with water and then seek medical help immediately.
Final Thoughts

The use of Barium Sulfide in depilatories for hair removal is great. It perfectly removes hair and leaves your skin feeling fresh and smoother for longer. Note that Barium Sulfide works by dissolving body hair. So, this means when new hair grows back, it will be more tapered. Additionally, it will be less coarse.
However, be careful when using a product with Barium Sulfide in certain areas such as the private region and armpits. These areas have coarser hair and sensitive skin. So, ensure that you don’t over-expose them to this chemical compound as it may cause unwanted reactions.