What is the chance you are using a hair removal cream on your pubic area? Did you know it can expose you to some side effects? Find out about those side effects in this article.
What is Hair Removal Cream?
This is a solution that constitutes strong alkaline-based components that aim to break down unwanted hair. Upon application, it turns into a jelly-like form that can be wiped off.
When the formula is removed, so does the hair that was underneath. This is a chemical form of hair removal that is not new but has been used since time immemorial.
The Native Americans, equipped with the know-how on this employed a particular chemical- lye. The ancient Turks on the other hand used quicklime or calcium oxide for a similar purpose.
Nair, a common formula has been in the market since 1940 positioning itself as an effective, quicker and easier alternative opposed to waxing and shaving.
This article discusses in depth the side effects of using hair removal cream on pubic area.
How to use Hair Removal Cream
Hair removal creams are applied to the intended surface of the skin. It is done by dissolving the keratin in the hair due to the chemical structures involved in this procedure.
Once the hair breaks down, simply wipe it off the skin’s surface. You can take the hair shaft along with it, but not the hair root giving a similar result to that of shaving.
Side Effects of using Hair Removal Cream on Pubic Hair
Before getting to use these hair removal products, carefully consider this decision.
Some of the side effects of using hair removal cream on pubic area include;
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Skin irritation
This is one of the most common side effects of using hair removal cream on pubic area. Thus, necessitating the need to be cautious of what you place on your skin for the next few hours.
This could result from the skin’s uppermost protective layer getting damaged or inflamed making it impossible to protect itself from external elements.
In a study women aged 16 to 40 years used pubic hair creams and complained of having skin irritation and genital injury.
Application of certain creams to your skin that contains corrosive or irritating ingredients, infiltrates into the skin due to its porosity resulting in complications such as eczema.
It is highly recommended not to use products that could contain potential allergens like the scent or a significant amount of plant extracts. Alcohol-based components also lead to the drying up of the skin.
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Skin burn
If left applied for more than the recommended time severe skin burns and even blisters could develop. Therefore, it is highly advised that you be weary of the duration to leave the cream on your skin to prevent such damage.
If left for too long, the cream eventually ends up breaking your skin as was the hair resulting in second-degree chemical burns which can be a painful experience.
One online reviewer who had the cream for longer than the advised time described having a red, swollen, puffy, and aching pubis. She later ended up in a hospital as the discomfort was so severe.
She was then placed under antibiotics, painkillers and anti-burn medications. It was so severe that her pubis skin started peeling off and itchy after a few days.
The University of Rochester school of medicine and dentistry did research where seven patients that’s six females and one male were identified and given the hair cream to use. A few reported skin burns and were treated using antibiotic ointment and other wound cleaning products.
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Sensitivity to the elements
In a study, it was shown that your skin gets more vulnerable to the sun and water after hair removal. It is best advised to wait for at least 24 hours before exposing it to elements that could trigger inflammation.
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Skin darkening
This is another of the side effects of using hair removal cream on pubic area.
When left for an extended period than the recommended one, the skin is gotten to resulting in turns that usually tamper with the skin tone’s pigment composition.
In other cases, frequent use of these products results in to change in colour discolouration of the pubic hair. This arises from the chemical composition of in these products- calcium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
The basic components in them trigger chemical reactions that lead to such occurrences.
According to health shot medical, hair removal creams can cause darkening of the skin.
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Infection
If used too close to the vagina or on it, they might induce a change in pH structure.
These products are strongly alkaline, from the composition of the hydroxide in them.
The pubic hair is at most times acidic to ensure biological control such as the self-cleansing nature of the vagina thus creating a basis for fungal attacks such as yeast infections and urethral tract infections.
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Rashes
To some, their skin could be allergic to the components in these hair removal creams resulting in allergic reactions leading to the occurrence of rashes on the pubic hair which many times is uncomfortable or leaving an ugly site sight to behold.
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Lingering smell
The basic/alkaline composition of these products constitutes of a smell that may not be too pleasant to the user. Many times leaving it enveloped around the public area.
Most manufacturers are aware of this and in turn, have developed alternatives to configure the smell. They use structures like alcohol and plant-based smell extracts which could be potentially harmful and irrelevant to the hair removal process.
According to studies done by the University of Georgia, up to 30% of individuals polled are bothered by the smell of scented creams and rather find them annoying.
A larger spectrum of people, especially those with breathing-related complications such as asthma and chemical sensitivities adversely got affected.
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Swelling and soreness
Another of the side effects of using hair removal cream on pubic area is folliculitis. This arises when the user had ingrown hairs and the chemicals get to them resulting in swelling and irritation.
It’s advised that individuals prone to ingrown hair should use alternative forms of hair removal such as waxing or tweezing.
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Itching of the skin
Itching is another side effect. This is because of the calcium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide in the product.
These components could vigorously react with skin that contains allergens that lead to itches after use.
According to the FDA’s office of cosmetics and colours studies, cases of itchiness, burns and blisters, skin peeling and rashes are not so particular about the use of these chemical products, with many of them getting reported annually.
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Allergic reactions
This is the last of the side effects of using hair removal cream on pubic area.
Every individual has their unique allergen composition destined to fight off external potential body and immune harm. Thus, the components found in these hair removal creams could react differently, vigorously to others leading to allergies.
Therefore, it’s crucial to conduct a test before using the cream. You can apply a little bit of the cream elsewhere to determine if you’ll get an allergic reaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, proper adherence to the guidelines issues such as the duration of the application and conducting a patch test could save you from harm.
Note the above mentioned side effects of using hair removal cream on pubic area. Further, ensure that also a safe and hygienic pubic routine is incorporated.
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