Nair Rash on Skin 

A hair removal product such as Nair may cause a nair rash on the skin. This type of rash is a type of chemical dermatitis.

Chemicals used to dissolve hair

Hair removal lotions or depilatory creams use powerful chemicals to dissolve the hair off of the skin. Such products can be very effective alternatives to other hair removal methods such as shaving, waxing, laser therapy, etc. Some people prefer the use of chemical creams for hair removal because of their ease of use, longer lasting effects when compared to shaving, and rather low cost. Products such as Nair can prevent common side effects from shaving such as shaving irritation or razor burn and post shaving problems such as ingrown hairs. However, because chemical products can be harsh on the skin, a rash from nair or from other chemical depilatory products is possible.

Chemical dermatitis rash

This form of chemical dermatitis often manifests itself as an underarm rash, rash on shins, pubic rash, or groin rash, which are the areas where body hair removal is normally desired.

A rash from nair does not occur with everyone that uses the product. Instead it generally occurs with individuals that have more sensitive skin or are allergic to the ingredients in the product. However, this type of skin rash problem can occur with any skin type and even if no reaction occurred previously with the use of the product, a rash can still develop with subsequent use.

Nair and other chemical depilatories warnings

Whenever using chemical hair elimination products, always test a small area to see if skin irritation or a skin allergy occurs. It is recommended to wait a full 24 hours to ensure no skin rash develops and that there is no sensitivity to the product. This is a very important step when using this type of skin product. Ignoring this step may result in a very itchy and uncomfortable rash.

Nair and other chemical depilatories should never be used on broken or irritated skin and on sensitive skin areas such as the head, face, around the eyes, in the nose, in the ears, on nipples, breasts, perianal, or genital areas.

If a nair rash develops, then it is best to discontinue use of the product to avoid compounding the skin problem. When the rash clears, a different type of product may be used to see if the reaction occurs again. However, it is probably best to avoid this type of hair removal method altogether (because many products have similar ingredients) and consult a skin doctor or dermatologist.

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