To think epilating shouldn't be this bad?

[CrohnicallyExhausted]

I was inspired by someone on here, and bought myself a brand new epilator. I used to epilate my legs years ago, but went back to shaving, and now epilators are much fancier than the basic one I bought all those years ago, with different heads for different areas etc. I got an eBay bargain, waited excitedly for it to arrive, and finally set to work last night.

Legs- no problem, just a smidgeon uncomfortable in places.

Armpits- I put the 'sensitive' head on, set the epilator to 'slow' (for sensitive areas) and gingerly applied it to my underarm hair. Well, to say it was painful would be an understatement. And after I finally managed to pluck (sorry) up the courage to apply it for long enough for it to actually do something, I realised I was bleeding. In several places.

So am I just being a wimp, and I need to brave it and it will get better in time as the book suggests, or am I doing something wrong? The blood was particularly worrying, I think it was coming out of the hair follicle (or whatever you call the hole where the hair was) rather than the skin having been damaged.

I can do my legs without batting an eyelid but jeez, I've tried my armpits a couple of times and nearly passed out as soon as it made contact with the first hair!

In fact, DP walked in as I was doing my legs this morning and jokingly said "Do mine" so I did a teeny, weeny bit at the bottom of his leg and he nearly hit the roof . He now thinks I'm as hard as nails!

I epilate, but only my legs. I did my armpits for a while but stopped due to the agonising pain. I can't face the bleeding and the inability to put my arms down afterwards.

Really? I've been epilating under my arms for about 10 years and I feel absolutely nothing. I'm not sure I ever found it painful. Bikini more painful so don't do that though and stopped doing my legs as they always ended up looking a bit red and scarred. Have gone back to shaving them instead

My epilator came with a nice pack

Utterly pointless, it was agonising on my armpits, they bled, and it didn't even look like any hair had been removed. Now the bastard thing is only used on my lower legs before I shave them. But it takes ages and leaves my legs sore and flaky.
Useless devices. Hair removal cream and razors, or if you can bear it, leave your pits to grow for a week and a half and get them waxed.

ICE pack

armani fanny flap in epilator - I shudder to think.

munch I agree dryness helps - but almost pain free armpit epilation is not possible even when pissed

I don't find it more painful than the legs you can try the wipes, which cools the area before you Epilate.

You have to warm up to epilation on underarm and bikini areas - for first time users, have a close shave in the evening, and then in the morning epilate. Then epilate that evening, then the next morning and then evening. Each time you will only be getting a little bit of hair, but the skin around the area starts realising not to hold so tightly to the hair. You also have to pull the skin taut.

After a couple of weeks of this (5 mins in morning and evening), I was able to do my whole nether regions and arm pits. It stops hurting and becomes a tugging sensation. The hair growth lessens over time too. I used to get ingrown hairs sometimes, but even these don't happen anymore.

I would recommend only epilating hair less than 2mm long. If longer, use one of the attachments most of the epilators have to trim it.

The first few times I epilated my armpits, it was agony. Now, I almost enjoy it! Don't let the hair get too long, have a shower first and dry your underarms well, hold the skin taut and just go for it. I promise after the 3rd time you barely feel it.

I think I read the same thread OP. I was all set to but one tomorrow in the hope it's solve my 5 o'clock armpit shadow and rashy lower leg issues.

*buy
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