Silkymit is a product I have always been curious about- having seen it in the shops since I was in my early teens (and first became interested/curious about removing hair). I wondered how something that essentially resembled sandpaper could effectively remove hair. I assume it must be fairly effective as it is still available in shops today (with the same dated looking packaging) so I decided to give it a try and bought one from a Savers store this week, at the bargain price of just over £1.
The packet contains three 'silkymits' which, as mentioned above, can only be described as find sand paper in loops that you slip your hand in before gently rubbing in a circular motion across areas where you want to remove hair. I decided to try this on my forearms, which I have always felt are a bit too hairy (albeit fine and blonde hair). It felt like it took a while for the process to get going, initially feeling like it wasn't doing anything, but then I realised that an area of my arm was now smooth and hair-free so I persisted.
Having now completed the hair removal on both forearms I am left with wonderfully smooth (the silkymit exfoliates too) and pretty much hair-free arms. I say pretty much as it has left some 'downy' hair behind so the overall effect is natural.
I stick by my assertion that the silkymit is just glorified sand paper though, as immediately after using them my arms felt like they had been sunburned with one of them still feeling sensitive today. So if you are planning to use this product do so with caution, be gentle to avoid sanding off the top layer of your skin.
To soothe my sensitive post-silkymit skin, I used Vaseline Aloe Fresh to moisturise and cool skin.
***UPDATE*** (10/07/09)
Following using this last Friday I have decided to definately NOT try silkmit again, the 'sanding' that left my skin raw and sensitive has meant that for the last week my skin has become dry, scaly and generally unpleasant despite repeated applications of my favorite moisturising body butter. Basically, I think that my skin was so damaged by the 'exfoliating' of the silkymit, that it has formed scabs as it trys to heal itself.
Sorry if that is too much information but want to make sure that others are aware of the results of using a silkymit. If I was you, stick to hair removal cream for the same results without the pain and gross-ness.
damn that sucks, i used silkymit on my forearms too, they were red for a while but now theyre perfect, but my legs get horribly itchy and rashy like what you've described. so im only sticking to using it on my arms, and shave my legs.
ReplyDeleteLiz from Australia
I used silky mit on my arms and it worked Beautifully :) usually I have very sensitive skin but I was fine. I did do it in stages though, like I would gradually remove the hair over a few days.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of negative comments about silky mit I'm so glad I didn't buy it the other day! A lot of people say that it burns like sunburnt skin too so it must be really bad
ReplyDeleteI've been using silkymit on my legs for ages and I don't get a rash. Once I did it really roughly and it went all red and sore, but if you just rub softly then it comes out beautifully. Much better than any shaver I've ever used:) It works best if you've shaved beforehand I find.
ReplyDeleteI use silkymit on my legs and it's great! My skin is sensitive, but I apply lavender cream immediately afterwards and it soothes the irritation. I don't think I'd try it on my arms, though, as the skin is far more delicate.
ReplyDeletedoes this work?ive heard so many different comments about it?
ReplyDeleteI'm confused. Is it good or bad? I wanted to try it, until I saw all the bad comments, then I saw good ones and wanted to try it again, should I buy them or not?!
ReplyDeleteWell i bought some today and tried it out on my legs which have only ever been epilated, i got no irritation and was quite pleased with the results + it was very smooth! I wouldn't recommend it to be used excessively, after all it is pretty much literally 'sand-papering' your skin. maybe once every month or so! Think it wored quite well for me - remember CIRCULAR motions!
ReplyDeleteis it really worth it? apparently its like 30bucks and i've heard so many bad comments about it though..why dont you just buy fine sandpaper from bunnings or something (;
ReplyDeleteI used silky mit and it worked pretty well. Only on my lower legs, it didn't work on my thighs, and the effort to get any results on my arms was just too much. For my legs it worked fine, only stung the first time I used it and after doing it more slowly I quite enjoy the feeling. The best part is that the hair grows back more softly than with shaving, there's no itch and no bumps.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I just have thick skin- it looks like it's been snowing after I use it, which is gross but my legs always feel amazingly soft.