Almost everyone who is considering using an epilator to remove unwanted body hair wants to know how much pain they can expect. Unless you're a newbie to epilators, you'll probably choose a brand that promises the least amount of pain. That's because the mechanism of epilators can't guarantee anything close to pain-free. These handheld, rolling devices with small clamps are effective, but they can be very painful.
But isn't life itself a mixture of pain and pleasure? Should we then simply reject an effective device just because it is temporarily uncomfortable? These are the fundamental questions that this article aims to answer. Not only will I clarify what is already an open secret, but I will also help you decide whether the pain that comes with using an epilator is worth it. And if you are looking for helpful tips on how to relieve the pain, you will find them here too.
Maybe this is your first time reading about epilators; I'll help you understand what they are and how they work. So let's start with a review of what epilators are.
Table of contents:- Part 1: A look at what epilators are
- Part 2: Do all epilators look the same?
- Part 3: Do epilators hurt?
- Part 4: If epilators really hurt, why do people still buy them?
- Part 5: How to make epilation less painful
- Part 6: How to choose the best epilator
- Part 7: Is it worth using an epilator?
A look at what epilators are
The temporary nature of previous hair removal methods and their setbacks meant that players in the beauty and personal care industry kept inventing new methods. Epilators were an improvement on waxing, which involves removing hair from the root using strips or sugar. These devices do the same thing, but with more precision. Epilators allow you to pluck out fine and short hairs that even the best waxing would miss.
According to historical records, the first epilators came from Israel's Mepro in 1986. Today, many well-known brands such as Braun, Remington and Panasonic produce these beauty devices for personal and professional use. They use electricity or batteries to power their motors, which roll the pincer-like head in such a way that it picks up many hairs and pulls them out.
Considering where the hair roots are located - two layers deep in the skin - it's no surprise that epilation hurts. Can you remember the last time you or someone else accidentally removed a strand of hair from your leg? How pleasant was that? Now imagine a device grabbing and ripping out up to 30 strands at once.
Do all epilators look the same?
Because different brands make different epilators, they may not look the same. Even though the way they work is similar, there are certain factors that differentiate epilators from one another. One of these differentiators is the design of the heads. Some look like tweezers and function like one, while others are designed with springs that pull the hair away from the body. The third type, which is by Remington, has rotating discs.
We can also categorize epilators according to their medium of operation. In this context, there are wet, dry, and wet and dry epilators. This categorization means that some epilators work wet and others don't. Most modern models work with both methods to give users more freedom to choose what they want.
Pro tip: Epilation is best when your skin and hair are dry . It hurts more when your skin is dry, but you won't miss any strands and you only have to pass the device over your skin once.
Do epilators hurt?
Yes, epilators hurt, especially when you first use them. The level of pain depends on your tolerance level, the coarseness of the hair and the area you are epilating. Be prepared to wince when epilating your pubic area or armpit; these areas are particularly sensitive!
While there are ways to minimize the discomfort of using these devices (I'll get to that later), even the best efforts can't eliminate all the pain. Unlike shaving, which cuts hair very close to the skin, this device pulls it out.
People who say epilators don't hurt have either been using them for a long time or are numb to sensations. The numbness may be due to taking medication or a medical condition. If not, epilators cause a stinging or pinching sensation, which many people find uncomfortable.
If epilators really hurt, why do people still buy them?
For some, the expensive alternatives to epilators are the reason they still stick with this painful method of hair removal. Most epilators cost less than $50, and some are even more expensive. However, when you consider superior devices like lasers and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) devices, the initial purchase cost can be daunting. Yes, they are better and more effective, but so is their price.
A better and more efficient alternative is, for example, the Ulike Sapphire Air 3 IPL hair removal device . The device is painless, destroys hair and is recommended by the FDA and certified dermatologists, among other impressive features.
Aside from the price, some people choose epilators because they are so effective and fast. Better alternatives like lasers and IPL devices take time to remove hair. For example, with IPL devices, it takes at least three weeks before you can expect results. Epilators, like shaving and waxing, give same-day results. Aside from that, epilation offers a reasonable hair-free period, which can be up to a month and a half.
How to make epilation less painful
Luckily, there are things you can do to minimize the pain that comes with epilation. Below are five tried and tested ways to achieve this goal.
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Use painkillers
Painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol are available over the counter in pharmacies. You can take them after treatment or 35 minutes beforehand. They help with any pain-related problems caused by the epilator. Please find out about the dosage of these medications before taking them. When used correctly, ibuprofen works against pain and swelling.
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Try a warm bath before treatment
Warm water helps open the pores and makes epilation less painful. When the pores are open, hair removal is faster and the skin recovers quickly before another reaction occurs. Opening the pores also calms you down and allows you to deal with what is coming.
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Start slowly
As mentioned, most epilators have speed settings. If you're trying it for the first time, you should start on the lowest speed and work your way up. Starting on the highest setting is a great motivational speech that doesn't apply to epilators.
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Exfoliate before epilation
Exfoliation removes dry, dirty and dead skin cells and leaves your skin smooth and fresh. During this phase, the risk of ingrown hairs is minimal and you feel less pain than if your skin was dry and not exfoliated.
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Buy an anesthetic cream
Numbing creams temporarily disable the skin's signaling pathway so that you don't feel much at the site where they are applied. Some are available over the counter, while others require a prescription. For sensitive areas like your face, armpit, and bikini line, you can buy this cream to help you control the pain in those areas.
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Epilate at night
One of the downsides to this method of hair removal is inflammation and redness. The mechanical approach irritates the skin so much that the body thinks it is an infection. White blood cells then move to the area to fight it. This reaction causes inflammation and other post-treatment reactions. If you do the treatment at night, you can recover from many of these reactions before the next day and not have to explain what went wrong.
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Maintain a healthy routine after epilation
What you do after using an epilator is very important. Healthy routines like moisturizing and avoiding stressors can help you quickly overcome the discomfort that comes with the process. Depending on the size of the area you are epilating, you may need a day or two off to get proper rest.
How to choose the best epilator
The epilator market is growing, so it's pretty difficult for laypeople to quickly figure out which epilator to buy. However, you can save yourself the stress of research by choosing the best brands and reading online reviews about the product. As a general rule, make sure your brand offers a money-back guarantee and provides a hassle-free way of communication in case you have any questions.
Is it worth using an epilator?
Most of the attention is focused on the pain or discomfort that epilators cause. But they are also helpful. In fact, their effectiveness compared to shaving is impressive. After using an epilator, you won't notice hair regrowth for at least a few weeks. And like waxing, hairs are sparser and finer after using an epilator than before.
However, epilators are not the best hair removal devices, mainly because of the pain they cause. Also, they do not offer a permanent solution. Alternatives such as IPL, laser and electrolysis are preferable, although they also cost more money. In my opinion, the pain and maintenance involved in using an epilator is not worth it, especially since there are alternatives.
