Nair (hair removal)
Hair removal product manufactured by Church & Dwight
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Nair is a hair-removal product manufactured by Church & Dwight.
Nair is a portmanteau of "No hair".[citation needed] It uses depilatories that work by breaking the disulfide bonds of the keratin molecules in hair. The original Nair lotion was introduced in 1940.[1]
The initial ad for a TV campaign with the slogan "We wear short shorts, Nair for short shorts" won a Clio.[1] It was based on the 1958 song "Short Shorts".
Nair was purchased from Carter-Wallace in 2001 via a partnership with Kelso.[2][3] Also in 2001, Nair introduced its line of men's products.[4]
As of 2007, Nair had 25 products ranging from hair removal waxes to bleaches.[4][5]
Active ingredients
Calcium hydroxide is an active ingredient that chemically breaks down the hair for removal.[6] Some formulations also contain potassium thioglycolate, which breaks down the disulfide bonds in the hair's keratin.[6] The products often include softening agents, such as mineral oil, to help offset the harsh active ingredients.[6]