How To Treat A Chemical Burn From Hair Removal Cream (Inc Nair)
Hair removal cream works differently from waxing or sugaring (well it’s less painful to start with).
Instead of removing the hair from the root, it dissolves it – leaving you with a smooth finish and an easy clean-up that simply wipes away.
The chemicals leave the root, removing the shaft, but unfortunately, they can also burn your skin (Yes a real BURN, shocking I know).
So, how do we treat a chemical burn from hair removal cream?
When this happens, what do you do? Will it cause permanent damage?
The important thing is to STAY CALM because while they hurt like heck, it’s considered a minor injury.
Unless you’re like me, a hypochondriac. Then it’s a major injury, right?.
For the majority of cases, these burns can be treated at home with a little help from our step by step guide.
A Step by Step Guide to Treating Hair Removal Cream Burns (Nair)
As soon as you have suffered a burn, you must treat it immediately to reduce the risk of infection and also to help prevent the burn from blistering too severely. You may need the following:
- Alkaline cleanser
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Neosporin
- Bandages
- Cold compress
- Pain relief
- Vaseline/petroleum jelly
Step One: Flush the Chemicals
Before you do anything, you first need to flush the chemicals off your skin, QUICK.
Put the burn under cool water and allow it to run for at least 10 minutes to cool the burn.
You may want to leave it there for longer if it is a large area that has been burnt. This is beneficial in helping the burn to be less severe. The quicker you get it off your skin, the better the end result of your burn will turn out. You are saving your skin.
Step Two: Cleanser
When you have rinsed the burn, you might want to apply an alkaline cleanser to the affected area.
This is because hair removal creams tend to be acidic, and an alkaline cleanser is a perfect way to neutralise the effects of the burn. It will instantly help the hot burning to calm down and prevent any further blisters from happening. It will CALM your burn down.
Step Three: Topical Creams
Many chemical burns cause inflammation, and to reduce this, you can apply a topical steroid cream such as hydrocortisone cream (depilatory creams).
To save you searching for the best hydrocortisone cream, this is what I used for my burn. Although it wasn’t from hair removal cream (it was a subway coffee that had no lid on, but that’s another story), it still helped soothe and heal the burn on my arm.
This has a cooling effect on the area and will help to bring down swelling and inflammation reasonably quickly (trust me, your want to keep the depilatory creams topped up).
Step Four: Neosporin and Bandages
Once it has been cleaned and cared for, spray the burn with Neosporin and bandage it.
You can also wrap it in gauze for a more breathable dressing.
Ensure your bandage job is snug but not too tight or too loose so that it has room to heal as well as protect it from bacteria. There is nothing worst than a burn getting infected, TRUST ME.
You would find it useful to purchase this burns first aid kit, it will have enough to keep you going until your burn has healed.
Step Five: Cold Compress
If you find that the burn is still stinging after treatment, you can apply a cold compress to the area.
This should relieve the pain and can also help to reduce inflammation and swelling. Watch the useful video below to help you learn how to dress your burn with the gel pads we recommend below.
Step Six: Pain Relief and Moisture
You can use over-the-counter pain relief to help make things easier and reduce the pain caused by the burn.
Additionally, it would help if you used vaseline or petroleum jelly on the burn regularly to keep it moist so that it doesn’t dry up and flake.
You can even use this burn gel dressing. (These are amazing for burns, I swear by them)
Read Here: How to remove hair wax from clothes
Home Remedies to Treat Hair Removal Cream Burns
There are several quick and easy home remedies for how to treat a chemical burn from hair removal cream.
These are great options if you are unable to get any medical supplies and are often just as effective with regards to healing and reducing any inflammation.
Cool Water and Cold Compress. Running the burn under cool water for 10-20 minutes and then applying a cool compress will remove residual chemicals as well as help prevent blistering and reduce any inflammation.
Aloe Vera. It’s known as the burn plant for a reason, and having this at home can be a real help.
Apply the aloe vera (from leaf or bottle) onto the affected area and gently spread it.
Aloe helps to reduce the risk of infection, prevent inflammation, and boost the healing process.
Honey. You can apply this topically, and it has been known to reduce inflammation as well as help increase healing due to its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Stay away from:
- Butter
- Egg whites
- Oil
- Toothpaste
These are commonly suggested as treatments for chemical burns, but the reality is that they don’t help in any way.
Products such as toothpaste can end up making the burn worse and causing the area to become inflamed and irritated.
When to See a Doctor
In some cases, burns become severe enough for you to need medical attention. If the burn persists and begins to ooze, swell, or feel progressively worse, it’s time to see a doctor.
This is because it could be a sign of more severe infection as a result of the burn.
Some medical treatments for chemical burns from hair removal creams are as follows:
- Antibiotics for the infection
- Cleaning and removing dead tissue
- IV fluids to boost healing
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the moisturiser cream makes it burn?
If the moisturising cream you use on the burn makes it feel as though it is burning, you likely have an ALLERGY to the cream in question.
Rinse it off immediately and apply a different cream or find an alternative soothing method.
Is hair removal cream suitable for the face and groin?
Yes, hair removal cream is suitable for use on the face and groin.
It would help if you always read the label first, but most creams can be used on the lower half of the face as well as the bikini line.
They should NEVER be used directly on the genitals, however.
Similarly, if you have sensitive skin, it is recommended that you keep the cream away from your face entirely. You should also ensure it is not used near your eyes.
Can baking soda be used on a skin rash?
Yes, baking soda can be used on a skin rash. It actually has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that make it excellent for alleviating the itch and burn of rashes.
You will find that many of the over-the-counter creams available use it as an active ingredient.
How long does a chemical burn last? (will it last overnight?)
A chemical burn can last anywhere from a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months.
It all depends on the SEVERITY of the burn and how well it is looked after once it happens.
Regular care and treatment will usually see it clear up much faster.
Final Thoughts
You’ll often find warnings on the labels for hair removal cream, and even if you use them correctly, you run the risk of burns.
However, just like using razors, it’s one of the risks we take for silky smooth skin, and the burns are easy enough to treat should they occur.
Did you find our guide on how to treat a chemical burn from hair removal cream useful? I hope so.
