Chemical depilatory

 ( Hair Removal ) 

A chemical depilatory is a Cosmetics preparation used to Hair removal from the skin. Common active ingredients are salts of thioglycolic acid and . These compounds break the in keratin and also hydrolyze the hair so that it is easily removed. Formerly, such as strontium sulfide were used, but due to their unpleasant odor, they have been replaced by .

The main chemical reaction affected by the thioglycolate is:

Chemical depilatories contain 5–6% calcium thioglycolate in a cream base (to avoid runoff). Calcium or strontium hydroxide 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, cream, lotion, Aerosol spray, 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.

Depilatory ointments, or plasters, were known to Greek and Roman authors as psilothrum. In Jewish lore, King Solomon is said to have discovered a chemical depilatory made from a mixture of lime and water and orpiment (arsenic trisulfide)., taken from the Aramaic Targum Sheni of Megillat Esther.