What's the catch with depilatory creams? If it’s so easy and harmless, then why are people still using wax and an epilator?

The trick of depilatory creams is that, unfortunately, a composition has not yet been invented that could, on the one hand, remove hair, preferably with a bulb, and on the other hand, not injure the skin. Therefore, although the cream affects the hair, the result is very short-term, since the cream does not affect the bulb and does not remove the hair from the root, and therefore the effect from it is like a razor: 1-2 days.

Electric epilators pull out hair with a root, but often breaks them off, so the result is also questionable, and there is a problem of ingrown hairs, especially in the bikini area, where the skin is thin and the hair is thick.

Wax, by the way, also often breaks off hairs (since it is removed against hair growth), but performed by a professional, it shows a good temporary result (about 2 weeks), and with regular procedures it also reduces the number of visible growths and makes them thinner.

Epilation and depilation - these concepts should be separated. Depilation is the use of a cream, razor, wax, while the hair follicle is not destroyed, and the hair is simply cut off or torn out. The effect of such manipulation lasts from two to three days to two weeks. Then the ends of the hair begin to sprout and rise above the level of the skin, creating discomfort and unpleasant sensations. But these methods of getting rid of unwanted hair have their drawbacks. Due to mechanical action, additional skin irritation occurs, the bulbs themselves become thinner, and the skin becomes denser. This often leads to the problem of ingrown hairs known to all women. Also, after using a razor, epilator, wax and creams, acne, dryness, irritation may appear - all this is unpleasant.

Epilation is the removal of hair by destroying the hair follicle, and as a result, hair gradually stops growing.

Currently, a very popular modern method of getting rid of unwanted hair - laser hair removal. How it works? The heat wave affects not only the hairs themselves, but penetrates to a depth of 4 mm - this is the depth where the hair follicle lies, under the influence of heat the follicle is destroyed and the hair stops growing. This manipulation is carried out at fairly long time intervals - about once a month. Then the interval becomes longer, up to 2-2.5 months and gradually increases, since the hair follicles become smaller and the hair stops growing, due to this, a persistent and desired effect is obtained. In total, it is usually recommended to undergo 8 to 10 procedures in order to forget about the vegetation on the body forever. The number and frequency of sessions depend on the type of laser hair removal machine, skin type and doctor's professionalism.

It should be noted right away that it is necessary to separate the concepts of "depilation" and "epilation". Depilation allows you to get rid of the hair without damaging its root. In the case of epilation, the hair is pulled out entirely, by the root.

Depilatory cream removes unwanted hair for the same period as shaving. However, it requires (based on personal experience) more time and, frankly, hassle. It seemed to me that the cream is long and inconvenient. If you choose between cream and razor, it's easier with a razor. The result is the same - short-term.
Wax and the epilator remove hair for a long time, moreover, over time, both from the wax and from the epilator, the hair becomes thinner and smaller. Again, from personal experience: I have been using wax, shugaring and an epilator (when both) for about a year. I have almost no hair left on my legs. There is also much less hair in the bikini area, and they are much thinner.

Personally, my choice is based on rationality and energy consumption. It's easier to endure a little discomfort for a couple of hours every three to four weeks than to spend a lot of time on depilation every few days.