Interhawk inquires…I’ve searched the forums and can’t find much information on Smooth Away pads or other similar products. I was wondering if these products actualy worked, and more importantly, if the hair growing back becomes coarser over time as with shaving or if their claims that hair grows back finer are actually true. 
Sarah Bellum says:
I hate shaving so I thought that I’d pick up one of these at my local Walgreens (and I used my own money, no free samples from Smooth Away
Smooth Away sucks
I used the small pad on my lip and it took a bit too much work for my taste. The end result made me pretty happy vis a vis hair removal but it really stung! I guess I should have known this could be irritating because the directions said to put milk on my skin after using it. Sadly I was unable to comply since I had just used up the last of the cream making myself a White Russian. Too bad, since the stinging sensation made me crave ANY kind of relief! So, given the stinging side effect and the amount of time and effort it took to do the small area of my lip, I doubt I would ever use this on my legs!
Will Smooth Away make hair less coarse?
According to Smooth Away’s website, FAQ #7, “After continued use, less hair will grow back and it will be thinner than previous hair.” Hmmmm. I’m not convinced. According this post by Lefty and Righty, hair grows back less coarse only if you’ve done something to damage the follicle, like waxing or laser treatment. But shaving, dissolving hair with depilatories, or “sanding” hair with Smooth Away only effects the top of the skin. Why would that make hair grow back less coarse? I’m sure Lefty would say something like…”I would need to see further data involving multiple blind, peer reviewed studies submitted in a hermetically sealed envelope, blah blah blah.” I agree with Lefty’s basic point: when a company makes a claim like this they have to back it up with something more than just “because I said so.”
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Yeah, I can sand away hair using an abrasive Smooth Away pad, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best way to remove hair. And if I’m gonna put up with painful burning afterwards, I’d better see a MAJOR difference in how the hair grows back. So unless Smooth Away can cough up some data proving this thing really does what they say, they shouldn’t expect an endorsement from the Beauty Brains.
Have your tried Smooth Away? Leave a comment and let the Beauty Brains community know your favorite way to remove hair.
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I can’t help but feel that posts by Sarah Bellum are not terribly scientific. I read the Beauty Brains to learn about the mocked “further data involving multiple blind, peer reviewed studies submitted in a hermetically sealed envelope” (ok, scratch the envelope). I want to learn what works, objectively.
I think they’re just a balance against the other people who say, “It’s not about science! It’s about whether you LIKE it or not!” A little of it is a good thing on a site like this — “what works” does encompass first-person experience, it just isn’t limited to it.
Anecdotal experience is to science what garlic is to cooking — a little of it adds spice and makes it a bit more interesting. Too much is a baaaaad idea, though.
Besides, “HOLY CRAP THIS STUFF HURTS!” is certainly important feedback …
Guess you just can’t please everyone, Sarah.
But I, for one, do enjoy reading your “non-scientific” but personal observations.
There’s plenty of other scientific data on this blog to keep me coming back! Sometimes, it is OK to have a bit of personal observations–it makes the site feel more “alive”.
I like the reviews too. Sometimes just knowing the ingredients isn’t enough nor is knowing whether a company’s marketing claims are technical or fanciful. The bottom lines (for me) are does it work, does it smell good, and can I afford it?
But I’m totally with Sarah on this one: that sandpaper burns!
Could you state whether or not it is a review at the beginning/title of the post? It would make it easier for those who do not like to read reviews to know that it is a review, instead of something scientific.
I actually used it once, back in the early 90’s, I think. It works for removing the hair, but as for making it grow back finer or sparser, feh. I frankly don’t remember what the regrowth was like (hey, it was 15 years ago!), but I can tell you that my legs still have hair growing out of them. I’d like to say they’re a bit sparser now than 15 years ago, but if it is indeed true, it’s probably because I’m 15 years older now, not as a result of anything I did to make it so. And to think, when I was in high school, I marveled at my mom’s hairless, unshaven, unwaxed legs!
Hair does not grow back coarser from shaving. As we know ,the tip is blunt and only appears to be coarser upon regrowth. An old wives tale.Anyway,I thought that sanding away hair would sand away my skin as well,so I am glad you tried this unnecessary torture and warn others who are curious (that would be me too a little bit!). I say stick to waxing the upper lip
and shave your legs.A good shave is quick,smooth and inexpensive!
I have tried these, but it all seems a bit too much effort for my liking. I need hair removal to be easier, not more labour intensive.
This is essentially a very fine grade of silicone-coated sand paper–about 600 grit. I would not use it on my face but it works well on removing leg hair and exfoliating the skin at the same time. You can buy ten large sheets of it for about $4.00 at Home Depot. An applicator isn’t necessary but you can always buy a sanding block.
i used the smooth away on my upper lip because i am going to be with my boyfriend Saturday and we r definitely going to be making out an now my lip hurts so bad . i used it last night though. and i don’t know what to do . because now my upper lip is really ruff . any suggestions?
Hi…I have tried the smooth away and I love it… doesn’t hurt. I feel that the hair doesn’t come back as fast as usual. I, also, feel that it comes back finer…