Facial Hair Removal Depilatory Creams and Chemical Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should be done if a client experiences burning or irritation during depilatory cream application?
- Leave it on longer to ensure all hair is dissolved
- Remove the cream immediately with cool water and discontinue use (Correct answer)
- Apply a second layer over the first
- Cover with plastic wrap to accelerate results
Correct answer: Remove the cream immediately with cool water and discontinue use
Burning indicates that the chemical is damaging the skin, and immediate removal with water is necessary to minimize the injury.
Question 2: Which ingredient class can make facial skin more vulnerable to chemical burns from depilatories?
- Vitamin C serums applied weeks ago
- Prescription retinoids such as tretinoin or isotretinoin (Correct answer)
- SPF moisturizer
- Hyaluronic acid serums
Correct answer: Prescription retinoids such as tretinoin or isotretinoin
Retinoids thin the stratum corneum, reducing the skin's ability to withstand the alkaline chemicals in depilatory creams.
Question 3: What pH range do most chemical depilatory creams fall into?
- Acidic (pH 3–5)
- Highly alkaline (pH 11–13) (Correct answer)
- Neutral (pH 7)
- Mildly acidic (pH 5–6)
Correct answer: Highly alkaline (pH 11–13)
Depilatories must be highly alkaline (pH 11–13) to effectively break the disulfide bonds in the hair's keratin protein.
Question 4: What aftercare step is most important after removing a facial depilatory cream?
- Immediately apply exfoliating scrub
- Rinse thoroughly with cool water and apply a soothing, fragrance-free moisturizer (Correct answer)
- Apply retinol serum to boost cell turnover
- Apply glycolic acid to prevent ingrown hairs
Correct answer: Rinse thoroughly with cool water and apply a soothing, fragrance-free moisturizer
Thorough rinsing removes all alkaline residue, and a soothing moisturizer helps calm the chemically exposed skin.
Question 5: Are depilatory creams formulated specifically for the face different from those for the body?
- No, all depilatories are the same formula
- Yes, facial formulas use milder concentrations and lower pH to suit the more sensitive facial skin (Correct answer)
- Body formulas are always more gentle
- No regulation distinguishes them
Correct answer: Yes, facial formulas use milder concentrations and lower pH to suit the more sensitive facial skin
Facial depilatories are specifically formulated with gentler concentrations to reduce the risk of irritation on the more delicate facial skin.
Question 6: Can depilatory creams be used on skin that has a recent sunburn?
- Yes, they are soothing on sunburned skin
- No, sunburned skin is already damaged and depilatories would cause further injury (Correct answer)
- Yes, if a soothing formula is chosen
- Yes, if used for only half the recommended time
Correct answer: No, sunburned skin is already damaged and depilatories would cause further injury
Sunburned skin has a compromised barrier and is hypersensitive; applying a caustic depilatory would cause severe chemical burns.
Facial Hair Removal Depilatory Creams and Chemical Methods 2
What should be done if a client experiences burning or irritation during depilatory cream application?