How to Get Rid of a Nair Rash or Burn (Plus Preventative Tips!)

Download Article

Soothe and heal irritated skin after using a hair removal cream

Co-authored by Annabelle Reyes Medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Last Updated: October 28, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Treating the Nair Rash Immediately

|

Soothing the Rash

|

Avoiding Making the Rash Worse

|

Preventing Skin Irritation from Nair

|

Video

|

Expert Q&A

Depilatory creams like Nair are a popular method of hair removal because they’re easy to use, can remove hair from awkward spots you can't reach with your razor, and the results last longer than shaving. However, hair removal creams rely on chemicals to break down your hair. Unfortunately, those same chemicals can irritate your skin and cause a rash (dermatitis).^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine

Go to source} Read on to find out what to do if your skin reacts to the hair removal cream and how to prevent this from happening in the future.

What to Do After a Nair Rash or Allergic Reaction

Wipe off the hair removal cream as soon as you notice an itching or burning sensation, and flush the area with cold water for 10 minutes to get rid of any remaining residue. To soothe your skin, apply a thin layer of an unscented moisturizing cream, petroleum jelly, or hydrocortisone cream.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Immediately Treat the Nair Rash

Download Article

1
Wipe off the Nair cream as soon as you notice a reaction. A little tingling is normal, but if your skin starts to burn, get the cream off your skin immediately. Some companies include a spatula to help scrape off the product; use the spatula or a soft cloth to wipe the cream off your skin.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}
- Don't scrub your skin or use anything rough or abrasive (like a shower loofah or exfoliating glove) to remove the cream. You don't want to scratch yourself or irritate your skin further.
2
Run cold water over the area for 10 minutes. You’ll probably want to hop in the shower to do this so you can have a steady stream of water flowing over the rash. Make sure you are rinsing off any cream that may still be on your body, including the residue.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Do not use soap, body wash, or any other product to cleanse the area as you rinse your body.
- Gently pat your skin dry after rinsing.
Advertisement
3
Get immediate medical treatment if your skin looks severely burned. When hair removal creams are left on too long, the chemicals in them can cause first-, second-, or even third-degree burns.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} If your skin is blistering, oozing, peeling, discolored, or severely swollen, you may have a chemical burn and need professional treatment, so you should visit an E.R. right away.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- If you’ve developed a rash on your face, around your eyes, or genitals, contact your physician for assistance, even if it isn’t a severe burn.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Soothe & Heal the Nair Rash

Download Article

1
Apply a soothing moisturizer or petroleum jelly to the rash. A moisturizing product can help soothe your skin, but avoid using scented lotions, which can cause further irritation. Instead, apply a thin layer of a gentle, scent-free moisturizing cream or a petroleum jelly-based product like Vaseline or Aquaphor. You can then bandage the area with gauze to protect it as it heals.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Aloe vera is also a good option to soothe and hydrate the skin affected by the rash. You can use an aloe vera gel or use it straight from the plant itself.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}
2
Apply a hydrocortisone cream to reduce swelling, redness, and itching. Hydrocortisone is a mild corticosteroid, and it can make you much more comfortable as your rash heals. However, it should only be used in the short term unless a doctor prescribes longer use.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Stop using the cream if you experience further irritation or redness or develop acne where you applied it.^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  
  Go to source}
- Laying a damp cotton cloth over the applied hydrocortisone can help your skin absorb it faster.
3
Take an antihistamine to control itchiness. You can get over-the-counter antihistamines in drowsy or non-drowsy formulas. Your body will have released histamines to protect you from infection, but these may also cause you to itch (they're the same things that cause your nose to run when you have an allergic reaction). The antihistamine will suppress the side effects of the histamine, leaving you itch-free.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

Go to source}
- If the itching is keeping you awake at night, try an antihistamine that makes you sleepy (it probably won't be labeled as such, but it won't have "non-drowsy" on the box).
- Because antihistamines can make you tired (sometimes even the non-drowsy antihistamines can have this side effect), don't take any before driving or doing anything else that requires you to be very alert.^{[11]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
4
See a doctor if the rash doesn't disappear after a few days or respond to treatment. If you begin developing other side effects, like hives or a fever, large blisters, oozing, or if your current symptoms get worse, contact your doctor immediately.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Depending on the severity of your rash or burn, your doctor may prescribe anti-itch medication or antibiotics to prevent infection.^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}

Section 3 of 4:

How to Avoid Making the Nair Rash Worse

Download Article

1
Don't touch or scratch the affected area. Touching the rash can damage and further irritate the skin, potentially leading to an infection. You may even have some depilatory cream still under your nails.
- Wear loose clothes that won't rub or chafe the rash and possibly cause a friction burn.
- When using a cloth to wash the Nair off, don't rub too hard or scrub it, and try not to wipe the same area too many times.
2
Use soap with care when you shower. Depending on the type of soap and severity of the rash, you could make the rash worse by using soap when you shower. Pick a mild, fragrance-free cleanser or a gentle non-abrasive soap such as Cetaphil and use as little soap as possible. Do not use deodorant soaps.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- You might also try an oatmeal bath, which can give some relief. You can add ground oatmeal directly to warm bath water or make a sachet.
3
Don't shave or reapply cream for 72 hours after using a depilatory cream. You should wait 24 hours before applying deodorant, perfumes, makeup, or tanning lotions to the area where you've used the cream, as well.^{[15]
X
Research source} These products can cause you to develop a rash or possibly a chemical burn.
- Wait 24 hours before going swimming or sunbathing.
If the rash is on your bikini area, toilet paper can be a bit rough and abrasive, which may irritate your skin further. In this case, you may find it helpful to use unscented baby wipes instead, which are a bit gentler.

Section 4 of 4:

How to Prevent Rashes and Burns from Nair

Download Article

When using hair removal creams, follow the directions carefully. Following the package directions will help to ensure that you don’t keep the product on your skin for too long and that you don't apply it to unsafe areas of your body.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Here are some specific tips to keep in mind:
- Perform a patch test first. To do this, put a small amount of the cream on a small area of your arm or leg to test whether it causes a reaction.
- Check the product label to make sure it’s safe to use on certain areas. Some hair removal creams are formulated specifically for the face or bikini area, which tend to be more sensitive, while others are meant only for your arms or legs.
- If you’re using hair removal cream on your bikini line, only put the product on your external pubic area and avoid direct contact with your genitals.
- Don’t leave the product on longer than the instructions say to. Most hair removal creams only need to stay on for 5-10 minutes, and leaving them on longer can increase your risk of skin irritation.
- Rinse the product off thoroughly. Leftover residue can cause irritation, so make sure to flush the area with water until every trace of cream is gone.
- When you're done, apply some gentle, unscented moisturizer to hydrate and soothe your skin.
- Avoid using hair removal creams if you have sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, or acne, or if you’re sunburned or use a retinol (which may make your skin more sensitive).^{[17]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Does triple antibiotic cream help get rid of this rash?

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Triple antibiotic ointments will help prevent or treat an infection. Often, the rash from Nair is an inflammatory response or an allergic reaction and not an infection. You cannot treat the itching, swelling, and redness with the triple antibiotic ointment. An over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antihistamine cream are better options if an infection is not suspected. If needed, visit your dermatologist or doctor to determine what the best treatment is.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 32
Question

What if I don't have any creams?

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Keep the itchy area cool and moist. Put cloths soaked in ice water on the rash a few times a day. Too much wetting and drying will dry the skin, which can increase itching. Keep cool, and stay out of the sun. Heat makes itching worse. You might also add a handful of oatmeal (ground to a powder) to your bath. Or you can try an oatmeal bath product such as Aveeno. Avoid scratching as much as possible. Scratching leads to more scratching. Cut nails short or wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching. Wear cotton clothing. Do not wear wool and synthetic fabrics next to your skin. Use gentle soaps such as Basis, Cetaphil, Dove, or Oil of Olay and use as little soap as possible. Do not use deodorant soaps. Wash your clothes with a mild soap such as CheerFree or Ecover rather than a detergent. Rinse twice to remove all traces of the soap. Do not use strong detergents.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 38