Just because there’s a six-foot barrier between you and your loved ones, complete with a look but no-touch policy, doesn’t mean you have to give up on personal grooming. Especially when it comes to unwanted hair. Here’s what experts Elena Petrovicova, the director of research and development, Katie Palaganas, the research manager and Alok Shroff, the chemist for Church & Dwight Co in Princeton, New Jersey have to say about the ins and outs of Nair hair removal products and why they make such good DIY sense.
Should men DIY remove their body hair?
Yes and yes. According to the Nair experts, one of the reasons why men want to remove body hair is simply because it boosts confidence. “Smooth skin is something that can be enjoyed no matter who you are and it is entirely up to the individual on their preference of how much body hair and which body parts they want to remove hair from,” says Petrovicova, Palaganas and Shroff.“Body hair can be uncomfortable or feel excessive for some men and easy and quick methods to remove it are appreciated by them. For competitive athletes, such as swimmers and runners, removing body hair can also provide a small performance or psychological enhancement.”
Where to bare?
While that depends on you, the Nair experts say some of the more popular spots include the back, the chest, the arms and the legs.
Why spray a liquid or rub on a cream instead of shaving hair off?
Shaving may be the preference for some, but other hair removal methods, such as sprays and creams can have their own benefits including, time (they’re fast to apply and remove hair) and time spent hair-free. “Whether you use a depilatory spray or cream or even a wax, results should last longer than if you shave with a razor, because of where these other removal methods act on the hair,“ affirms Petrovicova, Palaganas and Shroff.“Depilatories dissolve the hair just below the surface of the skin, while shaving cuts the hair above the skin, so you can expect results to last a couple days longer with depilating than shaving. You will also avoid nicks and cuts by not shaving, since depilating and waxing do not involve putting a razor against the skin.”
How does a body hair removal spray work?
Body hair removal or depilatory sprays are a type of product that removes hair from the skin by dissolving the bonds that keep the hair structure intact. “These products make use of thioglycolates, which are active ingredients that basically weaken the hairs through a chemical reaction to the point where they can be wiped away with a washcloth or sponge,“ explains Petrovicova, Palaganas and Shroff.“Spray products are particularly of interest for people who do not want to touch the product, since they can just aim and spray from the product cans for a precise application. Areas of use for depilatory sprays include the arms, legs and chest, or especially hard to reach places such as the back.”
How does a body hair removal cream work?
Like sprays, depilatory creams use of thioglycolates to eliminate hair by dissolving the bonds that keep its structure intact. “Depilatory creams can be applied using your hands or a tool such as a spatula,” says Petrovicova, Palaganas and Shroff.“Use the Nair Men’s Hair Remover Cream on the arms, legs, chest and back. These products should not be used on areas such as the head and genitals.”
Why do some products work best on certain body parts?
Your body hair’s hair thickness and skin sensitivity varies from body part to body part, so using products formulated for each is ideal. “For example, some depilatory formulas may be designed to best target hair on sensitive parts of the body, such as the face and be gentler than others that are intended for use on body parts where the skin is tougher,” explains Petrovicova, Palaganas and Shroff. “The Nair Men’s Hair Remover Cream is specially formulated for men’s hair on the chest, back, legs and arms.”
