Final answer:
The most common form of temporary hair removal is depilation via shaving or trimming. Chemical depilatories, often containing salts of thioglycolic acid, also provide a non-permanent solution by dissolving hair through a chemical reaction. These depilatories do not destroy the hair follicle, allowing the hair to regrow.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common form of temporary hair removal is depilation, specifically shaving or trimming. This method involves removing the part of the hair that is above the skin's surface. Shaving can be performed with various tools such as razors or electric shavers. However, an alternative to shaving is the use of chemical depilatories, which are applied to the surface of the skin to dissolve the hair.
Chemical depilatories function by breaking down the disulfide bonds in the hair's keratin proteins, leading to the weakening and dissolution of the hair structure so that it can be easily wiped away. These products can be found in several forms, including gels, creams, lotions, aerosols, roll-ons, and powders. Well-known brands such as Nair, Magic Shave and Veet provide a variety of options for consumers.
Containing active ingredients like salts of thioglycolic acid, these depilatories perform a chemical reaction to break the disulfide bonds, typically requiring a 10-minute application period. After application, the area is rinsed thoroughly to remove the chemicals, and conditioners may be used to restore skin pH. Unlike methods that destroy the hair follicle, hair will regrow after depilation since the dermal papilla is not destroyed.