IPL Hair Removal Devices vs Depilatory Creams
There are a lot of hair removal options on the market. So many, in fact, that it can be overwhelming to decide which will deliver the results of hair free skin.
How does a person remove stubborn hair from areas of their body? Well, they can slather parts of their body with shaving cream or gel and go to town with a razor every week. Or they can heat up wax, spread it on their skin and then use a strip to painfully rip off hair. Another option is to splurge on appointments to receive professional hair removal help.
Two of the more popular options are home hair removal devices like the Silk’n Infinity and depilatory creams. These two methods couldn’t be more different with respect to cost, treatment requirements and, most importantly, the results. It seems that people lean toward depilatory creams because it’s readily available at drug stores and retail outlets or because they aren’t aware of the features and benefits of at-home hair removal devices.
To understand how a state-of-the art device like the Infinity stacks up against the popular brands of depilatory creams, we’ll perform a side-by-side comparison. First, let’s review what a depilatory cream is and how it works, including the laundry list of chemicals it contains. Then, we’ll look at the technology that powers an Infinity treatment and break down its effectiveness. Lastly, we’ll look at the overall cost of each procedure so you can decide on which to pursue.
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory means “removing the hair” and that’s exactly what it is engineered to do. They have long been a go to for men and women who want hairless legs, arms, bikini lines and pubic areas.
Depilatory Cream History
In one form or another, depilatory creams have been around since the mid-1800s when Dr. Gouraud created what is believed to be the first creams called, Poudre Subtile.
The original version was more a powder than a cream, but it brought to market an alternative to shaving. Keep in mind, the first depilatory cream was available decades before King Camp Gillette invented what would be known as that modern razor for both men and women.
It was originally developed for male facial hair but a century later companies like Nair and Veet were being marketed exclusively to women to chemically dissolve their body and upper lip hair.
How Depilatory Creams work
These hair removal creams are simple to use:
- Rub the cream into unwanted hair. The chemicals will process and break down the protein bonds of hair.
- Most take about 5-10 minutes to work depending on hair thickness. The chemicals in the cream burn hair off while you wait.
- Gently wipe off with a warm towel.
Under no circumstance should you wait too long to remove the cream as this can cause serious skin burns. Consult package directions for specific instructions, every brand is slightly different.
Pros of Depilatory Creams
People gravitate to depilatory creams because of these benefits:
- Speed: From start to finish, a treatment should take less than 15 minutes.
- Inexpensive: Most drug stores and retailers offer a variety of brands ranging in price. Amazon.com sells Veet 400ml pack of two, for approx. $19.00USD.
- Ease of treatment: Using a depilatory cream is as easy as using a moisturizer. Simply follow the directions and you’ll see some form of result.
- Softer hair: Depilatory creams give hair a tapered end as opposed to shaving. Over time, hair could grow back softer. Not quite as soft as with waxing but it will feel noticeably nicer.
These benefits are mostly focused on convenience, not outcome. It’s this in addition to simplicity that make depilatory creams more appealing than other methods like laser hair removal.
Depilatory Cream Cons
After reviewing the pros, you might be thinking that depilatory creams sound appealing. Don’t get too far ahead of yourself, though. It’s important to recognize the cons so you have a complete picture on which to base a decision.
Be aware of these drawbacks if you are considering depilatory creams:
- They smell: It reeks of harsh chemicals that could transport someone back to the 1970s when hair salons smelled of similar chemicals used to perm hair. For those who weren’t around in that time, trust us, it was bad. While modern creams try to hide it with “delightful” scents like vanilla, it is what it is – a chemical that melts your hair off.
- They exclusively use harsh chemicals: Sodium thioglycolate, calcium thioglycoate and strontium sulfide are examples of the chemicals often found in hair removal creams. They can harm your skin especially if you leave them on for too long. Reports of injuries, burns and blisters and rashes aren’t uncommon so be careful.
- Short-term results: These creams don’t attack the root. In fact, it’s more of a surface solution because it only treats hair above the skin. You must be prepared to make time in your schedule every month. With depilatory creams, the duration of results is comparable to shaving.
- It’s painful: While the feeling is described as tingling, if your skin negatively reacts to the cream, you will experience a burning sensation. This can happen to people with sensitive skin or who are allergic to one or more ingredients. Treatment could leave you with irritated skin, redness and in severe cases, even scabs.
Take some time to determine if the pros outweigh the cons, and if so, then try one of these brands:
- Veet
- Nair
- Sally Hansen
- Olay
- Surgi-Cream
Discontinue use if you experience any type of pain or if your skin negatively reacts.
eHPL (Home Pulsed Light) Hair Removal - The Silk’n Infinity
The Infinity is a revolutionary device that harnesses two advanced technologies to easily remove hair. By combining galvanic energy with eHPL (Silkn’s proprietary and patented version of IPL – Intense Pulsed Light), The Infinity safely removes unwanted hair without a trace of stubble or irritation.
Galvanic energy’s ability to open pores allows the device’s optical light energy to work deeper and more thoroughly.
Light Based Hair Removal Device Pros:
- Painless treatments
- It’s convenient
- You only must pay a one-time fee
- No additional purchases or refill cartridges required
- Promotes skin health and improves circulation
- Five power settings to customize treatments
- Faster pulses and quick reloading for faster treatment times
Light Based Hair Removal Device Cons
- Not suitable for all skin tones and types – see product page for details
- Can’t be used on areas of skin with a high concentration of moles, freckles or tattoos
- Time requirements – like laser hair removal, it’s not instant hair removal – requires 6-10 weeks of treatments to see results
As you can see, the pros far outweigh the cons. The Infinity, in addition to the other members of the Flash&Go series of hair removal devices, provide clinical-quality body and facial hair removal with quick treatments that provide reliable results.
Cost Comparison
Most depilatory creams cost anywhere from $10-$20 per container if purchased at a drug store, or health and beauty supplier. It’s impossible to say how long a container will last as it depends on how fast your hair grows and how often you conduct treatments. It’s fair to surmise that one could spend $100-200 per year on depilatory creams.
The Infinity costs $399.00 (or 4 interest-free installments of $99.75), including free shipping anywhere in the US, and there are no additional or hidden fees.
Yes, The Infinity has a relatively high upfront cost but you’ll save money in the long run compared to depilatory creams, shaving, waxing and most certainly professional treatments.
The other consideration is we’re talking about permanent hair removal. You invest time in your treatments upfront, and then imagine the time you’ll save over the rest of your life when you no longer must use depilatory creams, shave or wax on a regular basis.
That’s not to say you never have to conduct treatment sessions ever again, maintenance treatments will be needed, but that’s still nothing compared to the alternatives.
Get Your Infinity Today!
Are you ready to take the first step toward enjoying hairless skin that is smooth to the touch and so amazing looking that you’ll be excited to show it off? If so, head over to our product page to purchase your Infinity hair removal device and get started today!
If you want to learn more about our hair removal, then head over to our Hair Removal section of our Resource Center to read all about devices, treatments, technologies and to get useful advice to build a regimen.
