Depilatory creams are best known for removing body hair without the help of wax or a razor, and the often unbearable rotten-egg smell that comes with them. Not this one, though. Wakse Meltoway Hair Dissolving Cream’s thick lotion safely dissolves hair with tropical scents reminiscent of smoothies, not sulfur, and leaves skin feeling soft and silky. (You picked one of the two fruity fragrances—Mango Magic or Guava Butter—to receive in your March Allure Beauty Box.)
Here’s how it works: Depilatory creams contain a chemical solution that breaks down the keratin structure of the hair follicle, which weakens the strands at the skin’s surface, causing them to “fall off.” “The active ingredients usually found in hair-removal creams include calcium thioglycolate or potassium thioglycolate, which sever the hair’s protein bonds,” Divya Shokeen, MD, a Manhattan Beach, California-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure. Once severed, hair can easily be wiped away with a towel.
I typically don’t use depilatory creams, but the paste-like Wakse Meltoway Hair Dissolving Cream makes the process easy. Pump the product directly onto clean, dry skin, and then rub into body hair using your fingertips. (Hot tip: Wear gloves! Then wash your hands immediately after application.)
For the face, leave the cream on for two to three minutes, and five to eight minutes for the body before removing. Wipe away and rinse with water—then wash your hands (again)! If your skin leans more sensitive, do a quick patch-test before diving in. The final result should be soft and hair-free, which should last about a week, depending on how fast your hair grows.
The Wakse Meltoway Hair Dissolving Cream in Mango Magic or Guava Butter is in the March Allure Beauty Box.
