Fact Check: Can Colgate toothpaste remove body hair permanently in 5 minutes?
Can colgate toothpaste will remove unwanted hair in just 5 minutes in such a way that it will never come back again? This claim was made by a recent video on youtube video. This claim is false
Claim:
"Colgate toothpaste will remove unwanted hair in just 5 minutes in such a way that it will never come back again". This claim is made a recent youtube video. The video suggests creating a paste using one tablespoon of aloe vera gel, half a tablespoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and a small spoon of toothpaste. It recommends applying this mixture to the area where hair removal is desired and allowing it to dry for some time. After it has dried, the area should be wiped clean with a tissue.The link to the claim is here.
Fact Check:
The claim is False.
Understanding body hair:
Aside from a few places, like the palms of our hands or the soles of our feet, the entire surface of our body has hair on it. The two main types of hair are the shorter and thinner "vellus" hairs (peach fuzz) found on the body and the longer and thicker "terminal" hairs. Examples of terminal hairs include the hair on your head, facial hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic hair, chest hair and belly hair.(1 )
Can Toothpaste remove unwanted hair ?
No there is no scientific evidence supporting the claim that toothpaste or in particular Colgate toothpaste, will permanently remove unwanted hair in just 5 minutes.
When asked Dr. S.C. Bharija, Chairman Department of Dermatology , Sir Ganga Ram Hospital explained “Toothpaste contains abrasive substances and some brands include hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a bleaching agent. While hydrogen peroxide can lighten hair, toothpaste is not formulated for this use. Additionally, certain toothpastes contain thioglycolic acid and potassium hydroxide, which combine to form potassium thioglycolate, a chemical that breaks down keratin in hair. When applied to hair for extended periods, toothpaste can make the hair dry and brittle, leading to breakage. However, leaving toothpaste on skin for long durations can also cause irritation and burning sensations. It is important to note that toothpaste is not designed for hair removal, and its use for this purpose is not recommended. There is no scientific evidence supporting toothpaste as an effective hair removal cream.”
When we asked the same question to Dr. Agni Bose, Dermatologist, Venereologist and Dermatosurgeon, Skin And Hair Clinics, Mumbai. he clarified “ No, toothpaste cannot remove unwanted hairs forever. If it did, Dermatologists wouldn’t have done laser hair reduction for our patients, we would have just rubbed toothpaste all over the patient’s body.
Further on asking about side effects he explained that “Using toothpaste over skin without diluting it with water and making it come in contact for long time, can cause irritation, burning and in sensitive skins - allergic reactions. Not a good idea”
Medical Dialogues Final intake:
No colgate toothpaste cannot remove hair permanently.It does have abrasive properties and may make the hair brittle and break but the claim of toothpaste will remove unwanted hair in just 5 minutes in such a way that it will never come back again is False.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546248/#:~:text=Aside%20from%20a%20few%20places,and%20thicker%20%22terminal%22%20hairs.
