Nair is a brand of at-home hair removal products. It contains salts of thioglycolic acid, a base like hydroxide, and sulfur. These elements expand the hair shaft, weakening the bonds holding the hair fibers together and allowing for hair removal.

A depilatory is a cream, lotion, or gel. There are several brand names of chemical depilatories. They temporarily remove unwanted hair on your face and body.

You can find Nair and other depilatories at your local drugstore.

Nair is spread onto the surface of your skin. It breaks down or dissolves the hair so you can wipe it away.

Nair and other chemical depilatories remove the hair shaft — the part you see on your skin. They don’t remove hair below the skin or the hair root.

Key terms

  • depilation: removes the hair shaft only. Options include shaving, trimming, and chemical depilatories.
  • epilation: removes the bulb and follicle in addition to the hair shaft. Options include plucking, threading, waxing, laser, and electrolysis.

Chemical hair removers like Nair work by targeting the hair structure. Each hair is made from protein fibers called keratin. The keratin fibers are twisted together like yarn and held by chemical bonds.

Chemicals in Nair and other depilatories weaken or break these bonds. This dissolves the hair.

Nair typically works in about 3 to 10 minutes. Apply the cream, gel, or lotion with a spatula. Wait the recommended time, then wipe or wash away hair.

The active ingredients in Nair are:

  • salts of thioglycolic acid: potassium or calcium
  • a base of calcium, potassium, or sodium hydroxide

The base chemical in Nair makes the hair shaft swell or open. This helps the chemical salts enter the hair and break down the bonds that make hair fibers stick together.

Nair attacks sulfur bonds in the hair shaft. The sulfur reaction can cause a rotten egg smell.

A lab study on Nair found that it doesn’t work on fibers like cotton, polyester, and rayon. This may be because these natural and synthetic fibers don’t contain sulfur bonds. This is why Nair and other chemical depilatories likely won’t damage your clothing.

Nair products may also contain:

  • water
  • perfume or fragrance
  • calcium carbonate
  • cetyl alcohol
  • sodium lauryl sulfate
  • sodium silicate solution

Nair and other chemical hair removers can get rid of hair for about a week to a month. It depends on how fast your hair grows.

Nair removes the hair shaft, not the root of the hair. This is similar to shaving, except the hair is not cut with a blade.

If you’re used to shaving every week, you’ll likely also have to use Nair every week.

Nair and other depilatories are fast and easy to use. They’re available at most drugstores and grocery stores. They can be used on all skin colors and hair types.

They’re also generally painless, safer, and easier to use than shaving. Nair can also remove hair in hard-to-reach places on your body.

Depilatories are a cheap way to get smooth skin. They’re less expensive than waxing or laser hair removal. They are faster and easier than other methods like threading.

Using Nair may temporarily make your skin more sensitive to other lotions or moisturizers. Your skin may also be more sensitive to the skin for a short while right after you use Nair.

Avoid using other skin products right after using a depilatory. If you’re in the sun or outdoors, make sure to cover any areas of treated skin.

Use facial or mild formulas if you’re using Nair on the face or other sensitive areas.

Warning: Don’t use Nair there!

Never use Nair to remove nose hairs. The mucous membranes in your nostrils is very delicate and thin and can be easily damaged by the chemicals in Nair.

Also avoid using Nair and other chemical depilatories on your eyebrows or close to your eyes or ears.

Nair and other chemical depilatories may cause the following side effects in some people:

Avoid Nair if you’re allergic to perfumes or other chemicals in Nair. A dermatologist can help you decide which products are best to use on your skin.

Does Nair work on legs?

Nair is popularly used to remove hair on the legs. It can cover large areas in a few minutes. If you have thick or coarse hair, you may need to leave it on for up to 10 minutes.

Does Nair work on the face?

Nair can also remove facial hair. It has milder formulas specially made for this purpose, including a brush-on facial hair remover.

Use a facial hair remover on the face only. The skin on your face is more delicate than most areas of the body. Additionally, hair on the face is normally finer than hair on the body.

Does Nair work on pubic hair?

Nair can work to remove pubic hair, but it should be removed with a soft cloth rather than the plastic spatula to avoid irritation to this delicate area.

Does Nair work on stubble?

Nair will work on hair stubble if it’s above the surface of the skin. However, if the stubble is very short or at the skin’s surface, the cream or lotion may not reach it.

Nair is a branded chemical hair depilatory. It’s an effective and economical hair removal option.

Nair is generally safe and easy to use. However, some people may experience skin irritation or an allergic reaction. To reduce the risk of this, make sure to use it only as directed. Discontinue use if you experience side effects.

Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned about unwanted hair on your face or body. Excessive hair growth could be a symptom of some health conditions. If you have sensitive skin, a dermatologist can help you figure out the best way to remove hair without causing irritation.