Hair removal creams like Nair seemed cool as hell when I first discovered them. Because, let’s face it, shaving those nether regions is awkward and time consuming. And, well, I liked wearing short shorts.
But then I got burned. Literally. And I’m not the brightest person ever, so I tried these creams multiple times hoping something magically would change and experienced multiple burns. Between my experiences and tons of research, I’ve found the best ways to handle chemical burns from hair removal creams on the genitals or any other body part.
So what do I recommend you do when you get a Nair burn on your vag? Quickly rinse the Nair completely off and flush the area in the shower for 15 minutes. If a shower isn’t available, soak in a lukewarm bath for 15 minutes. Gently pat dry the area with a soft towel. Apply hydro-cortisone ointment or a diaper rash cream (Desitin or Sudocrem are the best) to reduce irritation and pain. Then keep the burn moist with petroleum jelly.
These basic first aid steps will stop more damage from occurring and reduce the pain a little bit. However, if you’re like me, you will be in for a rough day or two with pretty severe pain. Luckily, there are many other steps you can take at this point to reduce the pain and help the burn heal quickly.
12 Remedies for Nair Chemical Burn Relief
1. If you feel an increase in burning after your initial first aid, flush the area with water for several more minutes.
2. To control pain and reduce inflammation, use over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen
3. Don’t use burn creams intended for non-chemical burns. These can make the pain worse.
4. Prevent friction and pressure on the area as much as possible. Do not have sex. It’s not worth it.
5. Take lukewarm baths throughout the day to control pain if necessary.
6. If you are experiencing pain when peeing, a recommended hack is to pee in the bathtub. Hold your fingers over the burned area so the pee doesn’t touch it as it leaves your body. Then drain the water and take a shower.
7. Wear loose-fitting underwear and clothing. Skirts can be a good clothing choice until the burn heals.
8. Applying ice to burns is usually discouraged, but some women recommend applying ice for vag burns from Nair to held manage pain that gets unbearable. Another option is getting a maxi pad wet, freezing it, and then applying it to your burn. You should only use ice for about 15-20 minutes at a time to prevent damaging the skin.
9. Try a sitz bath. This is an alternative to bathing that helps relieve pain in the vag area.
10. Wet some tea bags and apply to the affected area. Black or green tea are good choices for this.
11. Continue applying a moisturizing ointment or cream, such as petroleum jelly, to the area so the burn stays moist. Chemical burns heal best this way.
12. Clean the area and reapply moisturizer frequently to avoid infections.
When to See a Doctor
Most Nair chemical burns are first degree burns so they can usually be treated at home without any problems. However, if your burn is more severe with blisters or more than a few inches wide, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
If you see signs of an infection, you should also talk to your doctor. These signs include:
- Worsening redness or changes in skin color.
- More swelling.
- Blistering.
- The burn becomes thicker.
- Pus or green-colored drainage.
- Fever.
Should You Use Nair on Your Vag Again?
If you followed the directions and used Nair properly, but still ended up with a burn on your vag, you should not use Nair again. This is an indication that your skin is too sensitive to the chemicals in it or you have an allergy to it.
If you didn’t follow the directions, did you use too much cream, rub it in, or let it sit for longer than 6 minutes? Or did you apply Nair to skin that was slightly sunburned or irritated already?
If so, this is possibly the reason you ended up with a burn. If you take better precautions, you can probably use Nair without a problem. This is also the case if you put Nair on the wrong body parts.
Your problem may have been a Nair chemical burn on your vag lips. Nair can be applied to the outside of this area and the surrounding pubic area.
If Nair ended up on the inside of your vag lips or on other areas covered with mucous membranes instead of skin, that is probably why it burned you. These tissues are too delicate for chemical depilatories.
One other possibility is that you are just sensitive to Nair specifically, but not all depilatory creams. You may want to try out a different brand next time. I’ve heard some people with sensitivity to Nair have had good luck with Magic Razorless Cream Shave (click to read reviews on Amazon). It is intended for faces so is especially gentle for a depilatory cream.
How to Prevent Chemical Burns from Nair
If you want to give Nair another try (or you’re reading this before you’ve tried Nair), there are several steps to take to make sure you get the best results and no chemical burns.
First, make sure you are using a product specifically made for the bikini area. These are usually gentler and will be less likely to cause burns.
Next, you need to test it on a tiny spot. Put a dab on a small area, let it sit about 6-10 minutes, then rinse. Wait 24 hours to see if you have any reactions. You should do this every time that you use Nair because you can have a reaction randomly even if you’ve never had one in the past. Immune systems be crazy.
If your test goes well, you can go ahead with Nairing your vag, but make sure that the hair is at least 2 millimeters for best results. And if the hair is super long, you may want to trim it or just shave or wax first and then start Nairing when it grows out a tiny bit. Really long hair takes more cream and you have to leave it on longer. That will cause more skin irritation.
Apply a thick and even layer of Nair to your hair until it is covered, being careful to not rub it into the skin. Always avoid any broken or inflamed skin.
Wash your hands well and watch the clock. After 6 minutes, use a cloth to wipe a tiny patch. If hair wipes off, it’s time to remove the rest with a damp cloth. Just wipe, don’t rub the cream in. Rinse the area really well with lukewarm water and pat dry.
If your hair is not coming off yet, you can wait up to 10 minutes, but that’s the absolute maximum. If your hair doesn’t wipe off by then, Nair is just not for you.
You may also be interested in watching this instructional video from Nair:
Alternatives to Depilatory Creams for Pubic Hair Removal
If trying Nair or another hair removal cream is a no go for you, don’t fret. Thanks to good ol’ capitalism and our culture that hates body hair, we have lots of solutions! 😉
If you haven’t tried it yet, I recommend using an epilator.
What is an epilator? It’s a device you can use at home that pulls multiple hairs out by the root at once. The results are similar to waxing. It can be a little painful, but it doesn’t mess with your skin so is a good option for those of us with sensitive skin.
Other possibilities include shaving, waxing, sugaring, or just trimming with an electric trimmer. A less popular alternative is giving our norms about body hair the finger and letting your pubic hair grow wild like most people in the world do.
Related Questions
How long do burns from hair removal cream last?
A burn from hair removal cream is a chemical burn. These typically last about 5-6 days. If the burn is deeper than a first degree burn, it will take longer. Infections can also extend the healing time.
Does Nair last longer than shaving?
Yes! Nair lasts longer than shaving, but unfortunately, not quite as long as other hair removal methods. Check out my article, How Long Does Nair Last? for more information.
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