With the exception of the head and perhaps the areas of the face that nature intended, most women strive to be hairless all over their bodies. In much of the world, hairy women are less valued (if not despised) than clean, hairless women with silky smooth skin.
But hairlessness is not just a woman's issue. Men also struggle with getting a clean shave on their face, underarms and pubic area. Given the numerous disadvantages, shaving with a razor is no longer a worthwhile choice. Aside from the possibility of cuts and irritation, the likelihood of hair regrowth is also extremely high.
Those who are serious about getting rid of unwanted hair on their skin therefore turn to more permanent removal methods such as epilation and laser. The latter may be preferred by many, but each method has its advantages and disadvantages.
Are you faced with a choice between these two hair removal methods and wondering which is better? The following article compares the two methods and provides an unbiased assessment of their respective strengths to help you make your decision.
Let’s first look at the two hair removal methods before comparing them.
Hair removal by epilation
Hair grows from roots in follicles located between the two layers of skin. Epilation removes or plucks these hairs right from the root, which prevents them from growing back soon. To illustrate, take a piece of land with lush vegetation. If you want to remove this vegetation, you can cut it off at the surface or uproot it.
A cut on the surface is equivalent to using a razor. You might get a clean shave, but expect massive regrowth in three to four days. On the other hand, if you uproot every single plant on the land (which is what the epilation method does), you can go weeks before you see another plant.
How epilators work
Epilators can be used dry, wet or both. The dual type is best because you can use it with or without water. The wet method is also often less painful. However, to achieve efficient hair removal and avoid hair breakage, it is better to epilate dry.
Handheld and electric epilators have tweezers on the head that grip the hairs and pull them out as the device moves. When your hair gets wet, it sticks more tightly to your body, making it harder for the device to remove them all effectively.
It's best to start epilating by exfoliating your skin to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs. Then try stretching the area of skin you're working on to pull it taut. This will significantly reduce pain and allow you to cover many areas quickly.
According to several experts, it is best to place the epilator at a 75° angle to the skin and move it against the direction of hair growth to work effectively. Given the unique hair removal mechanism, you must not rush when epilating. You must proceed carefully and slowly to minimize the risk of accidents.
Epilation does not guarantee that hair will not grow back. However, it usually does not grow back as thickly or as quickly as with shaving. Here are some of the benefits:
Benefits of using an epilator
- Epilators are relatively inexpensive and require little maintenance. If you buy a high-quality model from a trusted source, you won't have to replace parts or do much maintenance.
- Epilation is faster than waxing, which works very similarly to epilation.
- You'll have completely smooth skin for at least a month before regrowth occurs, and these hairs are usually thin.
- You can epilate yourself since most of these devices are handheld without any technology.
- Epilation also works on very short and fine hairs that can be overlooked with other methods. This makes it a suitable option for almost any part of the body
Disadvantages of hair removal by epilation
The biggest disadvantage of epilation is the pain that the procedure causes to users. If you have a low pain threshold, you may find the method uncomfortable. However, experience shows that once you get over the initial discomfort, subsequent hair removal is more pleasant and less painful.
Using an epilator without exfoliating the skin also puts you at risk of ingrown hairs. Hairs can grow back into the skin and cause painful bumps or inflammation. Exfoliating before epilation is a must to avoid this unfortunate scenario.
Finally, epilation does not guarantee permanent hair removal, and regular exposure to the skin with this method can lead to irritation.
Hair removal with intense pulsed light (IPL)
Intense pulsed light is another popular hair removal method that is similar to epilation, but the difference is that instead of mechanically pulling out hairs at the root, it uses broad-spectrum light to destroy the follicles from which hair grows.
Originally a personal method used by only a select few to get rid of hair, today it is a popular hair removal method used by many at home. IPL technology uses a small handheld device to deliver pulsating light to your hair roots, causing them to enter a resting phase. This results in natural hair removal where hair does not grow back for a long time.
How IPL hair removal works
The use of IPL technology relies on the high concentration of melanin in hair follicles. Melanin is responsible for the pigmentation or coloring of the skin, hair and eyes, and the more of this substance there is in your body, the more pigmented you are. Accordingly, people of color tend to have more of this substance than light-skinned people.
Melanin absorbs the polychromatic light from an IPL device, causing the hair shaft and root to heat up. This heating deactivates or destroys the papilla that produces hair in the follicles. This explanation explains how this procedure particularly benefits people with high melanin levels.
Successful IPL hair removal typically requires up to ten treatments, spaced at least four weeks apart, to remove all the hair in the treated area. The hair removed in this way will not grow back unless other follicles that were previously inactive become active and grow hair. Even then, you can repeat the IPL treatment to remove it.
How to use IPL devices for hair removal at home
- Start by epilating, waxing or shaving the hair in the focus areas. This is best done one day before the IPL treatment.
- Set your IPL device to the appropriate light intensity for your skin tone. There are different light intensities depending on your skin tone, and most IPL devices come with instructions for this setting.
- Flash each spot as directed by the device manufacturer. As a rule, multiple flashes on the same spot are not entirely safe.
- Wait two or three weeks to repeat this process; by the fourth treatment, you should be hair-free.
Also read: How to use Ulike Air3 IPL device? (Step-by-step)
Benefits of IPL hair removal
- IPL is one of the fastest ways to remove unwanted body hair without having to worry about it. You can completely treat your leg in less than 20 minutes.
- There is no risk of ingrown hairs, making it particularly suitable for people with sensitive skin.
- IPL can be a permanent hair removal method that helps you give up waxing, plucking or epilating. So if you are looking for a hair removal method that gives you value for the money you spend on it, you should consider IPL.
- The technique is not as painful as others. Many people report only a feeling of warmth after the light comes on, but this does not last long.
- If you want to permanently remove hair from your body using IPL, you will save a lot of time that you would have spent shaving, waxing or even epilating.
Disadvantages of hair removal using IPL
IPL removal requires melanin, and short hairs only contain a small amount of this substance, so it may not be the best method to remove those melanin-poor hairs. However, if you have coarse, dark, and long hair on your body, this technology works great to remove it permanently.
The other disadvantage of IPL is the cost. This alternative is more expensive in the short term than most other hair removal methods. However, when you consider the long-term effectiveness, the cost is worth it. You no longer have to go to the salon as often or wax constantly; one successful IPL is enough to give you hairless skin for life.
Epilator vs. IPL: Which is better?
Considering what both hair removal methods entail, it's time to compare them to see which is better. The table below will help you do that.
|
Parameters |
epilator |
IPL |
winner |
|
Cost |
Averagely expensive |
Quite expensive |
epilator |
|
Result of hair removal |
Hair-free for four weeks |
Permanently hair-free |
IPL |
|
Time to result |
Immediately |
after three treatments |
epilator |
|
Painful? |
Yes |
No |
IPL |
|
Time to complete a session |
Fast |
Very fast |
IPL |
Verdict
According to this unbiased comparison, IPL leads, followed by the epilator. The IPL is fast, painless and can result in permanent hair removal that is almost impossible with an epilator. No wonder many consider it the future and present of hair removal.
Which IPL device should you buy?
Although some brands manufacture IPL devices, it is advisable to buy a device that is FDA approved. The approval signals that the responsible authorities have tested the device and found it safe.
One IPL device with CE/FDA approval is the Ulike IPL hair removal device. The device is designed to help you remove unwanted hair from any part of your body. Below are some of the benefits of this device.
Advantages of Ulike Sapphire IPL Hair Removal Device
- With this device you will achieve visible results in just four weeks.
- Since it is an FDA/CE approved handheld device, you don’t have to worry about its quality and safety.
- It uses sapphire ice cooling technology to avoid any pain or feeling of warmth during use.
- The manufacturer guarantees the effectiveness of the device with a two-year warranty.
- You can get your money back within ninety days of purchase if you are not satisfied.
- You can use the device on any part of your body - from your face to your bikini line and your legs!
- Compared to other IPL devices that are also approved by the American health authority FDA, this product will not break the bank.
Bottom line
Epilation is not outdated, but IPL is currently the pinnacle of hair removal. Although it is not 100% effective, it does its job with little to no discomfort and the price is worth it when you consider the long-term effects.
