This article was taken from the April 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Depilation strips give a smooth ride. The wax that thickens hair-removal gum is also used to bulk out tyres.
Nad's Wax strip ingredients
Triethylene glycol rosinate
Glyceryl rosinate
Mentha piperita extract
Microcrystalline wax
Calendula officinalis extract
Guaiazulene
Triethylene glycol rosinate
This is a tacky, viscous liquid that adheres strongly to hair. It comes from rosin gum, via pine-tree oil.
Glyceryl rosinate Glyceryl rosinate is likewise a sticky gum also made from rosin, by reaction with glycerol (AKA glycerine, C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>O<sub>3</sub>).
Mentha piperita
Peppermint leaf extract has for ages been a remedy for many ailments. Here it reduces skin inflammation.
Microcrystalline wax
This wax, also used in tyres, thickens the gum and consists of hydrocarbon crystals that have 35 or more carbon atoms.
Calendula officinalis
Pot marigold's extract has anti-inflammatory agents. It contains a pigment used in orange food colourant (E161).
Guaiazulene
This is a two-ring hydrocarbon which forms blue crystals and is extracted from chamomile oil. It is an approved cosmetic colour.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
