The War on Hair! Shaving vs. Depilatory Cream

[michelle.ch]

I have been shaving a lot, and in some places I get ingrowing hairs, and sometimes I cut myself, and sometimes it is hard to reach behind my knees....

I was wondering whether it wouldn't be better to use depilatory cream instead.

I have read up a bit about creams, so I know some people are sensitive to them, and that the hair usually grows back more softly than it would if I shaved. 

But is cream better for avoiding ingrowing hairs than shaving? Does the hair grow back more slowly? Or are there some other side effects I haven't thought about yet? I'd be interested to know.

[Janet_Girl]

I used to use Nair, but the last time I got a little burn so now I epilate and shave when necessary.  I use an electric.

[MillieB]

I used to use Nair, but the last time I got a little burn so now I epilate and shave when necessary.  I use an electric.

Me too, all of that, although if you are pre hrt and hairy, epilation hurts like a 

[V M]

Since I learned how to wax... The rest just seems silly... Had a bad chemi reaction to Nair and shaving just comes back with stubble too soon

[Xakkun]

Tried my step-mom's Veet once. I'd tell you whether or not I had ingrown hairs from it but frankly I was too worried about the redness and the (very slight) swelling to notice anything else. Besides, for me it burned so bad that only part of one leg got half the treatment before I shaved as usual anyway. XD

[michelle.ch]

....and my own verdict is:  great for my arms, but terrible for my legs, they feel a bit stubbly still.

What annoys me about waxing is that you have to wait until the hairs are long enough before you can yank them out. I personally loved the feeling after waxing, but I don't like the waiting when I want to wear nice stockings, maybe I'm too impatient...

[justmeinoz]

I tried Nair and found that if I rubbed the slightest bit too hard I suffered burns, so I stick to shaving.

I use a razor with soap strips attached to the shaving head, Rexona here, and make sure I shave VERY gently in the direction of the hair growth. 

The back of my legs are the hardest as the hair seems to grow in more than one direction, and shaving with the growth seems to avoid ingrowns.  Unfortunately it also is not as close as against the growth so I have to do it slightly more often. 

I have used the Nair prewaxed strips but found it messy and too much trouble, as well as painful.

[V M]

I use the GiGi Brazilian Bikini Wax kit (Microwave formula)... I get it from Sally Beauty

It took a little while to learn how to use it but once you get it right it becomes really easy

Anyway, it works really well and no worries about getting a chem. burn... My skin is just too sensitive to use any thing else

One odd thing... Most of my leg hair has never grown back

[jamied]

With Nair I couldn't get it right; either not enough to be effective or too much and it left me red and hurting.  Been on HRT for 17 months now and shaving now is a lot easier; hairs much finer, softer and grow more slowly so only have to shave every 7-10 days.

Jamie

[michelle.ch]

Yes, perhaps I didn't leave it on long enough on my legs. I felt a bit itchy too, and I was a bit timid because of all the things I heard about burning.

At first I used to get cut by shaving the back of my legs, but I seem to have the hang or it now.

I've been recommended by a friend to use a bodygroomer all over for a close shave, anyone else use one?

[Eva Marie]

Another victim here of the chemical burns from using nair type products Never again.

[Jessica Who]

I used Nair a few times several years ago and couldn't stand the smell. What's more is that it didn't even remove all of my hair. I'm wary of the chemicals, so I prefer electric razor or waxing now

[AmberM]

I shave slowly with a good razor because I have sensitive skin.