A chemical depilatory is a cosmetic preparation used to remove hair from the

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different ...

. Common active ingredients are salts of thioglycolic acid and thiolactic acids. These compounds break the disulfide bonds in

keratin Keratin () is one of a family of structural fibrous proteins also known as ''scleroproteins''. It is the key structural material making up Scale (anatomy), scales, hair, Nail (anatomy), nails, feathers, horn (anatomy), horns, claws, Hoof, hoove ...

and also hydrolyze the hair so that it is easily removed. Formerly,

sulfide Sulfide (also sulphide in British English) is an inorganic anion of sulfur with the chemical formula S2− or a compound containing one or more S2− ions. Solutions of sulfide salts are corrosive. ''Sulfide'' also refers to large families o ...

s such as strontium sulfide were used, but due to their unpleasant odor, they have been replaced by thiols. The main chemical reaction affected by the thioglycolate is: : Chemical depilatories contain 5–6% calcium thioglycolate in a

cream Cream is a dairy product composed of the higher-fat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, the fat, which is less dense, eventually rises to the top. In the industrial production of cream, this proces ...

base (to avoid runoff).

Calcium hydroxide Calcium hydroxide (traditionally called slaked lime) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ca( OH)2. It is a colorless crystal or white powder and is produced when quicklime ( calcium oxide) is mixed with water. Annually, approxim ...

strontium hydroxide Strontium hydroxide, Sr(OH)2, is a caustic alkali composed of one strontium ion and two hydroxide ions. It is synthesized by combining a strontium Salt (chemistry), salt with a strong base. Sr(OH)2 exists in anhydrous, hydrate, monohydrate, or oct ...

maintain a pH of about 12. Hair destruction requires about 10 minutes. Depilation is followed by careful rinsing with water, and various conditioners are applied to restore the skin's pH to normal. Depilation does not destroy the dermal papilla, and the hair grows back. Chemical depilatories are available in gel,

lotion Lotion is a low-viscosity topical preparation intended for application to the skin. By contrast, creams and gels have higher viscosity, typically due to lower water content. Lotions are applied to external skin with bare hands, a brush, a clea ...

aerosol An aerosol is a suspension (chemistry), suspension of fine solid particles or liquid Drop (liquid), droplets in air or another gas. Aerosols can be generated from natural or Human impact on the environment, human causes. The term ''aerosol'' co ...

, roll-on, and powder forms. Common brands include Nair, Magic Shave, and Veet. Chemical depilatories are indicated in the treatment of hirsutism in

polycystic ovary syndrome Polycystic ovary syndrome, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The name is a misnomer, as not all women with this condition develop cysts on their ovaries. The name origin ...

. Depilatory ointments, or plasters, were known to Greek and Roman authors as ''psilothrum''. In Jewish lore,

King Solomon King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a constitutional monarch if his power is restrained by f ...

is said to have discovered a chemical depilatory made from a mixture of lime and water and

orpiment Orpiment, also known as ″yellow arsenic blende″ is a deep-colored, orange-yellow arsenic sulfide mineral with formula . It is found in volcanic fumaroles, low-temperature hydrothermal veins, and hot springs and may be formed through sublimatio ...

( arsenic trisulfide). Colloquy of the Queen of Sheba, taken from the Aramaic ''Targum Sheni of Megillat Esther''.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chemical Depilatory Hair removal