Are epilators really that painful?

[CrabtreeEstate]

I'm eyeing up an epilator in the sales. I've always wanted to try one. Obviously don't believe they are pain free but some of the reviews said "made them cry", "used once and straight back in the box", that it was "like sticking a red hot knife in your leg"!

Do you use one? How painful are they?

I love mine. It doesn't hurt. It kind of feels 'prickly' for want of a better word but not in a painful way. I have been using one for 15 years so I am probably just used to it by now but I don't remember it being painful the first time I used it, maybe just a bit uncomfortable? 🤷🏻‍♀️
It does irritate your skin more when you first use it though. So use it before you go to bed to avoid the plucked chicken look. 🤣

I'd save more and get a IPL instead! It offers permanent results eventually and really is painfree!

Prior to the epilator, I used to wax and pluck my legs. I found the fronts were fine, but backs of the knees and ankles were indeed painful. I couldnt even do under my arms. It bled and was unbearable. I kept trying it for months, but wouldnt never recommend. I certainly couldnt use it anywhere intimate, where the IPL is fine there.

I think it depends on your pain tolerance. Mine is very high, and when I tried one it didn't bother me at all. My friend, on the other hand, thought she was going to die.

Yes! Get a lumea - life changing.

Legs are fine, just feel prickly. But I couldn’t do anywhere else as too painful!
I got a Lumea instead!

I have a pretty high pain tolerance and I can manage it on my legs and underarms but definitely not bikini line.

However I do have a 10 year old epilator so I’d be interested to know if the newer models are easier

I love mine, but as others have said, been using it for a while so am used to it. Prickly is a good description from PP. get a decent one if you’re going to invest. The cheap ones aren’t great.

i can do my legs easily with my epilator but underarms and bikini are just too sore

Legs are fine , but underarms need some gritted teeth. It's worth it as your hair seems to get finer. Only downside is you have to grow your hair a bit for them to work.

My mum got me started on one as soon as I wanted to remove hair, so many years later, I epilate all areas and it's not big deal! Also get waxing sometimes, so overall I've probably built up a tolerance. The great thing is you never get the stubble you get with shaving, I've never shaved in my life.

I epilate my chin and quite enjoy the feeling. Tried doing my arms and legs and couldn't cope with the pain.

I think they are great. It's quite sore when you first do it, but so is waxing. I've used it for decades and now it's not really sore at all.

Not overly no.

I do it all over and I wouldn’t say it hurts.

I love mine. They’re great. You get all the hairs out, no itchy rash or it looking unsightly.

Make sure to up your exfoliating though.

It depends what you're epilating, I find legs are fine, just pull your skin really tight. It will hurt the first time you do it but you get used to it. A bikini line touch up isn't too bad, first epilation of the season, I stick a flannel in my mouth and scream! Arm pits don't hurt at all if you pull the skin tight.

Look at the number of tweezers on the epilator you plan to buy, the more tweezers the quicker it will be. The cheaper epilators have less tweezers and you may have to go over the same area multiple times. I had an expensive Braun epilator that came with multiple heads and I only ever used the main one. Also every epilator I have owned has never lasted more than two years, so I would never spend more than £100.00 on one.

Yes unrelenting agony, only did it once never again.

The first time you use one on your legs it's quite painful, a glass of wine helps though!!! After that as there are less hairs it's a lot less painful. But yes agree with the plucked chicken look!!

I used to wax so when I first bought an epilator, I didn’t find it that painful.
Certain areas were more sensitive - round the knees I seem to remember.
Now I hardly notice it.
Have considered buying a Lumea but they are expensive and I was concerned that they didn’t work as well on fairer hair. I may be wrong on that.

I think it helps to start off on less painful areas like lower legs, then wait for pain killing chemicals to kick in before moving to underarms//bikini line.

I love mine, but with a 16, 13 and 10 year old in the house as well - all girls - I did wonder about getting a Lumea too (I also swim when the pools are open)

I found the first time extremely painful, the second time was moderately painful and then after that it barely hurt at all. The first couple of times there was a lot more hair to take out, once it was all gone it seemed to grow back much thinner and it was way less painful. I haven't used it for ages and am back to square one I'll probably get waxed first (much quicker) and then epilate the regrowth

I cried the first time I epilated. I only did it about 3 times after that and I couldn't hack it, but I've got no pain threshold - threading hurts me too much haha... If you've got hair that's quite a bit darker than your skin tone, the Lumea will change your life!

It hurts but you get used to it. Also the pain lessens from the start to the end of an epilating session as the hairs come out so when I first start I always know the pain reduce rather than increase which helps psychologically. I love my epilator actually...so much better than shaving.

I think it depends on your pain threshold and on how easily your hair comes out. I find it almost painless, apart from if I do the more intimate areas. I've been using one for years and it is a Boots own brand one bought in the sales. Does the job.

I did find it painful to start with but I soon got used to it. I've only used it on my legs though- I can see why other areas could be too painful! I much prefer it to shaving- I could shave my legs before bed and wake up with them prickly. Lasts so much longer with epilation and no spiky regrowth.

I have been doing it for over 15 years now. Really doesn't hurt at all. My first one lasted forever and I replaced it last year with a great Braun. It's waterproof so I can do it in the bath. Regrowth is very fine after all this time. I can get away with doing it weekly in the summer.

If you are a complete beginner, I would recommend going for a professional wax first and then using the epilator on the regrowth as it comes through. That's what I'm planning for my eldest daughter who is beginning to think about hair removal