Hair removal cream is very effective for removal of unwanted body hair. It is a convenient alternative to shaving and less painful alternative to waxing, tweezing and other similar methods. Hair removal cream is also less painful when compared to laser hair removal and other similar methods and is surely a lot faster than them. The effects may not be as long lasting as the permanent hair reducing methods but it is a lot less time consuming that these methods. Many people prefer the hair removal cream because it is convenient, effective and fast. Hair removal cream follows the depilatory method of hair removal. Depilators remove the hair from above the skin level and do not reach the roots. Their effects are not permanent in nature because only the superficial layer of the hair is removed. There are some creams that are marketed as epilatories but most of the creams are depilators and only remove hair, skin upwards. Depilators can also cause irritation and side effects with some people. Some of them are also allergic to the chemicals present in the hair removal cream. It is therefore better to test the hair removal cream on a small patch of skin before using the product completely.

Hair removal cream contains chemicals that react with the proteins present in the hair (especially Keratin) and damage them. The bonds that hold the protein cells together are dissolved and the hair becomes unstable as a result. The damaged hair is not firmly attached to its root and can be easily removed. The hair comes loose and can be easily rubbed off by a piece of cloth. The hair removal cream kit also contains a scraper that can be used to scrape the skin area and remove the cream, along with the hair attached to it. The reaction which dissolves the keratin bonds can take a few minutes to take effect and it is better to leave the cream on the skin area for at least 15 minutes before removing it. At the same time, prolonged exposure of the skin to the chemicals in the hair removal cream can cause some damage to the skin. Optimal time for the reaction to take place would be mentioned on the instruction leaflet and it must be adhered to. This reaction produces a unique and mildly offensive odor and some people are allergic to this odor. Hair removal cream may not be a method to remove hair permanently but it is a lot better than other depilatory methods.