Nair (hair removal)
Nair is a hair-removal product manufactured by Church & Dwight. It was purchased from Carter-Wallace in 2001 via a partnership with Kelso.[1] Also in 2001 Nair introduced its line of men's products.[2]
| Owner | Church & Dwight |
|---|---|
| Markets | United States |
The brand is mainly known for its depilatories that work by breaking the disulfide bonds of the keratin molecules in hair. This reduces the tensile strength of the keratin so greatly that the hair can be wiped away.
Nair's slogans include: "The Less That You Wear the less you have to fix your hair[1], the More You Need Nair!"; "Like Never Before"; and "We wear short shorts, Nair for short shorts". The initial ad for the "short shorts" commercial won a Clio.[3] It was based on the 1958 song "Short Shorts". Nair is a portmanteau of "No hair."
As of 2007, Nair had 25 products ranging from hair removal waxes to bleaches.[2]
Active ingredients
Calcium hydroxide is an active ingredient that chemically breaks down the hair for removal.[4] Earlier products used sodium hydroxide (lye), which could cause chemical burns.[4] Some formulations also contain potassium thioglycolate, which breaks down the bonds in the hair's keratin.[4] The products often include softening agents, such as mineral oil, to help offset the harsh active ingredients.[4]
References
- "CHURCH & DWIGHT BUYS CARTER-WALLACE BRANDS". adage.com. 2001-05-08. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
- Newman, Andrew Adam (2007-09-14). "Depilatory Market Moves Far Beyond the Short-Shorts Wearers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
- "History of Women's Hair Removal | Nair™ Heritage". www.naircare.com. Retrieved 2019-02-07.
- Justo, Patrick Di (2007-12-20). "What's Inside: Nair Hair Remover, Feel the Burn!". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2019-11-11.