Mississippi Cosmetology Board Practice Exam

What is the main ingredient in most depilatory products?

1. Calcium thioglycolate

2. Glycolic acid

3. Salicylic acid

4. Vitamin E

The correct answer is: Calcium thioglycolate

Most depilatory products utilize calcium thioglycolate as their primary ingredient due to its effective hair removal properties. This compound functions by breaking down the protein structure of hair, effectively dissolving it and allowing for easy removal from the skin's surface. This makes it particularly popular in both chemical depilatories that can be applied at home and in professional settings, as it provides a quick and relatively painless method for hair removal compared to other methods like shaving or waxing. While glycolic acid and salicylic acid are beneficial in skin care for exfoliation and acne treatment, they do not have the same efficacy in breaking down hair proteins as calcium thioglycolate. Vitamin E, although a popular ingredient in moisturizing products for its skin-nourishing properties, does not play a role in hair removal and is primarily used for its antioxidant benefits. Thus, calcium thioglycolate stands out as the essential active ingredient for the depilatory process.