What You Need To Know About Using Epilators
Published March 6, 2023
Excess body hair is by no means a rare occurrence. On the contrary, it’s common to have much more body hair than you’d like. It’s a particularly troublesome issue for women as they find it somewhat masculine.
That’s why there are a ton of hair removal techniques one can find on the internet. Among these, one technique that has garnered a lot of attention recently, especially among women, is using epilators.
What Is an Epilator?
An epilator is a device that can remove hair by directly pulling them from the roots. That’s why it’s often compared to waxing, which is arguably the most popular method to remove hair at the follicle level.
How Do Epilators Work?
If you’ve ever seen someone use an epilator, you’ll know its usage is awfully similar to regular electric shavers. You simply hover the device on the surface of your skin, and it’ll pull the hair right out.
They are, in fact, similar, and the only difference lies in how their inner workings operate.
When you hold the electric shaver to your skin, the device cuts the hair in that area with a rotary blade.
On the other hand, when you hold an epilator to your skin, the device pulls the hair in different ways, depending on its type. There are generally three types of epilators according to how they pull out hair.
These three types include:
- spring epilators, which use a spring coil that twists to pull out the hair,
- rotating disc epilators, which use smaller spring coils that rotate to pull out the hair, and
- tweezer-style epilators, which use miniature tweezer-like plates or discs to grab the hair.
Though it’s entirely up to your preference, we recommend tweezer-style epilators as it’s the most recent or latest model of epilators. You should also look up terms like epilators for men if you’re a male or best epilators for women if you’re a female, as you’ll likely find more suitable recommendations.
Are Epilators Safe?
What holds people back from epilators is the fear that it might be unsafe or, at the very least, incredibly painful. After all, pulling out hair from its follicles is painful, so imagine a device that does that rapidly.
Interestingly enough, a lot of people who have used epilators say it wasn’t as painful as they thought, so take that as you will. But that’s not to say they’re completely safe. As far as safety is concerned, epilators are as safe as electric shavers in that if you know how to use the device, there should be no risks.
However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, then you’re at risk of injuries.
How To Use an Epilator
Using an epilator is as simple as holding it on the area you want to epilate. But there are some things you need to know to prevent injuries, like the following:
- Don’t move the epilator too fast.
- If you want to change your speed, do it slowly.
- Don’t move the device against the direction of the hair growth. If your arm hair is growing in the direction of your hand, for example, you should only move the device toward the hand.
- Shave the area you want to epilate one to three days before you use the epilator. Popular epilation blogs believe that epilators work better the shorter the hair.
- You may want to take a painkiller 30 minutes before you epilate, especially if this is your first time.
- Hold the epilator at a 90-degree angle while using it. This angle gives the device the best position to pluck out the hair.
Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to follow all these for optimal results. The first three tips, however, are crucial if you don’t want to get an injury while epilating.
FAQs About Epilators
Do epilators hurt?
Yes, epilators hurt, especially if it’s your first use. It may also hurt more if you move the device too fast, which is why it’s advisable to slowly move the epilator when trying to epilate a different area.
To put it into perspective, epilators might hurt more than waxing, and the sensation lasts longer, too.
Do epilators reduce hair growth?
Yes, since epilators pluck out the hair from the roots, it should slow down the rate at which the hair grows. Not to mention using epilators long enough might kill hair follicles, effectively reducing hair growth.
Do epilators cause ingrown hairs?
Yes, epilators can cause ingrown hairs if you move the device against the direction of the hair growth. However, it’s not a 100% guaranteed chance an ingrown hair will appear if you make this mistake.
How much does an epilator cost?
Epilators cost $20 to $100 per piece, but as always, there may be outliers from this range.
Which areas do epilators work best for?
Epilators should be able to remove hair from anywhere in the body, but of course, it’ll hurt more in certain areas, like around the private parts or armpit.
When is the right time to use epilators?
In the first few hours after using an epilator, your skin will be sensitive, which is a nightmare if you need to go outside and get under the sun. That’s why it’s best to use epilators at night.
Closing Thoughts
Epilators are an excellent way to remove hair. It’s convenient since you don’t have to get a friend to help you, unlike waxing, and it’s incredibly efficient as it even reduces hair growth, unlike shaving. But it also has some drawbacks, like how it’s more painful than waxing and requires more practice than shaving.
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At Royal Aesthetic Center in Milford Massachusetts, we provide 5-star rated med spa services. We understand the importance of looking and feeling your best, so we offer only proven treatments. From laser hair removal and cryo fat freeze to skin treatments like facials and microneedling, we are committed to helping you achieve your goal. Trained professionals use only the latest technology to ensure that you get the best results.
About The Author
Lenard Arceo is an experienced writer who enjoys coding applications in his spare time. He has a fascination with beauty and wellness trends and enjoys sharing his knowledge and research. He is proud of his commitment to sharing only factual content that has helped his readers with life changing choices for the better over the years.
