Poll: Nair - useful product or silent killer?

[Bara_no_Hime]

Yeah, it's time for a totally out of the blue question.

Women Escapists, or males if you've used it... what do you think of Nair? You know, the hair removal cream.

My mother told me horror stories about chemical burns when I was a girl, but the product is still on the shelves after all these years, so it can't be that bad... right?

I've been wanting to try it for some time now, and since it's suddenly 70 degrees here, I need to make my legs look presentable for wearing shorts, short skirts, and bathing suits.

Previously, I've shaved. I would really like an alternative.

So, Escapists - have you ever used Nair? Was your experience good? Indifferent? Did you get horrible chemical burns that disfigured you for life?

Help me work up the courage to use this stuff, or scare me away from it completely. You have the power to make my decision for me. Share your stories of Nair to help me decide.

Edit: Poll failed. Damn it. Okay, just post your thoughts. **sigh**

 

[Chased]

Never heard of this but it doesn't sound like the best solution to not shaving.
Shaving > Chemical Burns

 

[Tanis]

Male - Sensitive Skin, can't even use scented soap for my clothing:
I used it a few times.
First time it burned the HELL out of my legs (and other areas) but got the hair off.
Second time it go the hair off, no pain.

Third time it go the hair off - no pain but did smell 'off', great, right?
Nope!
A few days later my body (legs, arms, back and belly areas) is all hurting and stuff.
Had to go to the doctors and get meds because my skin had a delayed reaction to the chemicals are started to act like it was sunburned really bad.

Fourth time - KIDDING! - never used the stuff again!

 

[3AM]

I don't know about chemical burns and such. I imagine if you follow directions you can avoid those unless your skin is quite sensitive. I've tried it and I still shave. It stinks, its messy and I've yet to figure out what to do while I'm standing around with it on my legs for the required amount of time. I didn't notice any appreciable length in the time between needed shaves. If you do try it, do a small spot at first to make sure your not too delicate for its harshness.

 

[Aris Khandr]

I've used it a couple of times, no issues with it.

 

[Serenegoose]

I've never used Nair, but I've used what I think are equivalents. They worked fine for me, but they recommend you do a test patch first to see if you react badly. I vastly prefer it to shaving my legs, because it's much quicker and easier.

 

[Julianking93]

Huh. Never would have guessed I'd see a thread about Nair here >.>

Anyway, I've never used it before but I've heard it burns like hell for most people when they first use it and that it... smells really weird, so I haven't attempted. Though, I've heard from my mum that she tried it once and it left red marks all over her.

However, I've got very sensitive skin and even shaving irritates it, so I can really only stick to that.

 

[DevilWolf47]

Get a good shaving cream. Dermatology might not be my field, but i've heard enough stories to make me wary of most over the counter hair removal products.

 

[rubisca]

I did a patch test first, but it felt weird so I rinsed it off early. A few hours later it had turned into a swollen red welt, and by the next day I had a nasty chemical burn. I got treatment right away but I still have a discolored scar on my ankle from it. I would steer clear.

Edit: I have unusually dry skin, but it's not especially sensitive. Some people are just allergic to the chemicals. On the bright side, I'll never have to shave that spot again.

 

[Rayne870]

don't leave it on long at all it will burn like crazy. half however long they say to apply it before removing it, see how that works.

 

[Yostbeef]

I used it on my chest once when I was 16.It burned and left a nasty rash.Didn't really work either.

 

[EllEzDee]

I took a random patch out of my forearm with it, took about 8 months to grow back. Whenever i had my sleeves rolled up, you could see it.
Also it smells awesome.

 

[Woodsey]

Male - Sensitive Skin, can't even use scented soap for my clothing:
I used it a few times.
First time it burned the HELL out of my legs (and other areas) but got the hair off.
Second time it go the hair off, no pain.

Why were you taking hair off your legs?

OT: Can't you just shave? I mean, I shave the junk fairly regularly and its not that much hassle, can't believe its that much worse to just do your legs as well.

 

[Tanis]

Male - Sensitive Skin, can't even use scented soap for my clothing:
I used it a few times. First time it burned the HELL out of my legs (and other areas) but got the hair off. Second time it go the hair off, no pain.

Why were you taking hair off your legs? OT: Can't you just shave? I mean, I shave the junk fairly regularly and its not that much hassle, can't believe its that much worse to just do your legs as well.

I'm REALLY white, live in a hot climate, and grow hair that's more like fur.
If I don't at least TRIM my body hair during the hotter part of the year it's horrid for me.

When I let my hair grown out during the winter you can barely see my skin in some places.
It's that thick.

 

[Woodsey]

Male - Sensitive Skin, can't even use scented soap for my clothing:
I used it a few times. First time it burned the HELL out of my legs (and other areas) but got the hair off. Second time it go the hair off, no pain.

Why were you taking hair off your legs? OT: Can't you just shave? I mean, I shave the junk fairly regularly and its not that much hassle, can't believe its that much worse to just do your legs as well.

I'm REALLY white, live in a hot climate, and grow hair that's more like fur.
If I don't at least TRIM my body hair during the hotter part of the year it's horrid for me.

When I let my hair grown out during the winter you can barely see my skin in some places.
It's that thick.

Well I guess that makes up for the unmanliness of taken hair off your legs xD Fair enough.

 

[Tanis]

Well I guess that makes up for the unmanliness of taken hair off your legs xD Fair enough.

Yeah, rather have my 'manliness' questioned than get paint toss on me because some pants on retarded PETA member thinks I'm wearing the fur of a dead animal in the middle of summer.

 

[Throwitawaynow]

It smells like rotten fish, and an ex in high school accidentally grabbed the wrong bottle for her face lotion crap. Chemical burns on her face.

 

[Krion_Vark]

*SNIP*

Follow the directions and you wont get a chemical burn. Don't follow the directions IE leave it on too long and you will.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

Used it while drunk on my chest.
Nipples burned a little for about 10 minutes but otherwise no ill effects.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Update.

Okay, I actually started this thread because I bought a bottle but was too scared to try it out without getting some opinions.

Since most people (not all) who tried it said that following directions = okay, I decided to try a test patch.

I was at 90 seconds on the test patch when I got a phone call. I hurriedly wiped it off (with a moist butt-wipe readied for the occasion), pulled my pants back on, and ran out to get the phone. That done, I went back and washed off more throughly.

That was about five minutes ago. The results so far:

No burns. Yet.

No strange sensation, tingling or itching.

It smelled nice going on, but did indeed end up smelling like fishy ass.

... it didn't actually remove any hair. Well, maybe a few tiny bits, but hardly any. Of course, it only had 90 seconds rather than the suggested 180 before the first test patch.

I'm going to wait a few more hours and see if my skin reacts. If not, I'll try again, and take my phone with me this time. ^^;;