To Ask About Epilators

[FredsRoses]

I've been neglecting myself for a long time and have decided it's time to do something about it, so the other day I shaved my legs for the first time in ages, and cut them to ribbons. I have difficulty in bending to do these sort of beauty regimes which is why I gave up in the first place, so I need it to be something I can do quickly. Would it be worth getting an epilator, or do they hurt so much that I'll end up not using it? Also, never having used one before, does it take a lot of time to do? What is your routine? I really can't manage going anywhere to have my legs done due to disability, and budget, so no good suggesting waxing etc.

Epilators are excellent, they take about the same amount of time as shaving.
They do hurt, but the pain is bearable, however it depends on your pain threshold.
The results also last longer than shaving, and the hair doesn’t grow back as thick.

With an epilator you really need to ensure you also exfoliate and moisturise regularly to prevent in growing hairs. With shaving you kind of exfoliate at the same time but with epilating you aren’t taking any skin layers with it.
It also hurts like an absolute bitch the first load of times but as the root gets weaker it does become easier to bare. Pull the skin super taut when epilating as that helps reduce the pain a bit. DO NOT start epilating anywhere but lower legs to start with until you’re used to it and know what you can tolerate and when. Certain times of the month I cannot go near my underarms for example because it just hurts too much.

Epilating will hurt as much as waxing the first time you do it. It hurts less on shorter hair -so shave the area a few days/week beforehand the first time , and it also hurts less if you use one of the ones you can use on wet skin after a warm bath/shower ( called wet/dry epilators as you can use them both ways) . Over time it will get less painful - I hardly feel anything at all now so don’t need to do it on warm wet skin anymore (unless I do it on an area I haven’t epilated on before).

I find personally the Braun ones a bit more effective but the Panasonic ones less painful as they seem to grab less hair at a time ( but a slower process as you have go over the same area multiple times) . I’ve had my Panasonic one a few years now though, so that might have changed.

I do it weekly or fortnightly over my lower legs (too lazy to bother do my thighs) my bikini line and armpits. Takes about half an hour - I’m overweight and disabled too which might be why it’s a slower process than for some. Definitely much easier than waxing or shaving, once you’ve done it a few times and got used to the feeling.

HTH

I've been using one for years and it doesn't hurt at all now, although it probably did a bit at first. I can't actually remember!

I have a pretty good pain threshold but epilating my armpits was one of the most painful things I've ever done. It was just about bearable on my legs but I still wouldn't recommend

But yes as pp said , pull the skin taught with other hand as you go ( especially on armpits and bikini line - I’ve had a few nips 😱) and preferably exfoliate the day before you epilate and then again a day or two after - if you are someone who showers each day anyway, I find it easy enough to just use an exfoliating body wash. I personally also like to use a tea tree wash in the shower straight after epilating as I find the antibacterial effect (plus the warm water) soothing afterwards.

I wouldn't be without mine.
Personally I find lower legs the worst and armpits not as bad.
Don't get a cheap crap one. Get a Braun silk epil one for about eighty quid on Amazon. There will usually be an older model they're flogging off.
Drink wine the first time.

I have the silk epil 9 flex, before that I had a very cheap dinky thing. Much prefer the silk epil as the head is flexible and it has a light on it that shines on your leg and shows you all those hairs you might have missed otherwise. I did get the one with all the exfoliating brushes etc but to be honest I don't really use them. However that's just me being lazy/ in a rush all the time.

It also had a plastic thingy you could put on it for a gentler experience, but I didn't bother with it.

Still can't bear to do my armpits or bikini line with it though, the razor comes out for that!

Had one for 20 years but you've got to wait for the hair to grow out so it's the same issue as waxing. Plus using it between the legs hurts like hell. Shaving is painless and fast.

I tried one and it hurt but wasn't unbearable. The problem was that my hairs often snapped instead of being pulled out cleanly so I gave up. I'm sure it would have gotten better with regular use as the regrowth diminished.

These days I use a Philips lumea for my underarms, face and bikini line (I'm very hairy!) and just shave my legs. I don't have the patience to use it consistently on my legs, it takes forever.

I've used an epilator on my legs for years, it hurt a lot at first but on my lower legs it doesn't hurt now - still a bit sore on my thighs but bearable. The hairs are also sparser although still grow long (I spent my teen and early adult years embarrassed by my very pale very hairy legs). Underarms also much less painful now and I think the hair has thinned from being epilated for years so it's quick and easy to epilate away. I currently use a Philips wet/dry one which was on offer at the time and had good reviews, it has a light and lots of interchangeable heads so it can also shave, exfoliate etc and I'm very pleased with it. I think the Braun silk-epil is supposed to be the best although it is expensive.

Complete convert here. Quick, not messy and regrowth is soft, and over time gradually thins (regular user for 10 plus years).
Agree that Braun silk epil is good.

Exfoliate with scrubby glove, make sure skin is dry and not moisturized, then crack on.......
Moisturiser lavishly afterwards.

It's interesting how people feel pain differently. I don't find my underarms painful at all and have never done.

My bikini line however 😖

I didn’t use my epilator that I had years ago because of the pain. I know you said budget is an issue but you could look at a home IPL - Braun and Philips do models and are often on sale, there are also other more budget options. I am looking to get one and although there is meant to be some discomfort it is not like an epilator which I found excruciating.

Love my epilator. My hairs barely grow back now (I think it can damage the follicles, so win win).
Ankles can be a bit ouchy but nothing too awful.

I have used an epilator for years. It doesn't hurt me at all now and was only slightly uncomfortable when I first started using it. My leg hairs are now very sparse and because I'm blonde they don't really show even if I forget to keep on top of things.

You do need to exfoliate and use body lotion though. I don't tend to get in grown hairs but I get very dry and flakey skin.

Just to add even though I can do my legs without any pain my under arms are impossible to do - it hurts like hell!

I love my epilator! I find it hurts less if I keep up with doing it regularly. The pain does get easier over time. If you get a waterproof one, you can use it in the bath and the warm water can make it hurt less.

Anything on my thighs is pain beyond imagining. Armpits are fine and only need to be done once a month. Braun epilator is very good. From knees to ankles is fine. I get bikini area waxed - I tried it once with the epilator but it took hours because it was so painful. Don't do it a week before period.

I tried to do it on my armpits and my bikini line, way too painful for me. I shave those areas and use IPL to reduce the hair growth instead!