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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To GIVE UP on epilating?

54 replies

InMyLittleHead · 11/10/2009 23:19

It stings like buggery and, what's more, takes so long and is fiddly esp. knees. Bah.

OP posts:
muggglewump · 12/10/2009 00:29

I will do (scuse the typos in last post).
I just feel it takes longer to do now, and is less effective.
I have to keep going over areas to make sure every hair is out, and it's less effective on short hairs.

I'll probably go for the cheapest, as I think the more expensive ones just have gadgets to numb the pain, and I don't need that, but I will let you know how I get on.

I'd never use any other type of hair removal now.

muggglewump · 12/10/2009 00:44

Hmmm, I'm looking to buy one now, from Amazon but all the reviews just flap on about it being painful!

I'm not sure which to choose now.

witcheseve · 12/10/2009 00:48

Mines a Bruan I think! Don't bother with ones with ice packs, we are hardened to it anyway.

muggglewump · 12/10/2009 01:21

What about this one?.
There's ones on there for almost £80

ChasingSquirrels · 12/10/2009 04:07

I got one 2 years ago. The first time I did it it did hurt, and my legs tingled for at least a day.
But now I hardly even notice I am doing it, and do legs and underarms.

Certainly don't need any pain relief to do.

SofiaAmes · 12/10/2009 05:02

Ladies....save your pain and money and get your hair lasered!!!! I had my legs and bikini line done. It's not totally permanent, but 3 sessions on my legs (meant to get more, but just haven't had the time) and I went from shaving twice (not exaggerating) a day in summer to shaving once every 2 or 3 weeks. And for my bikini line, I had 5 sessions and went from depilatory cream (shaving gave me ingrown hairs) every week to touch up shave once every 2 or 3 months.

seeyounexttuesday · 12/10/2009 06:11

this is the one i have. Don't faint at the price, becuse i got mine just after christmas last year and only paid £42 from amazon. Defo worth watching the price because you dont have to be payin nearly £90 at all.

First couple of uses, i admit it hurt, but kept it up and now can do legs and bikini without flinching, but not brave enouh for underarms.

Bleatblurt · 12/10/2009 06:31

I nearly fainted the first (and only!) time I used an epilator, the pain was horrendous!! I was pg at the time so maybe that made it worse? My epilator is gathering dust in some cupboard now and there it will stay.

jasper · 12/10/2009 07:28

The reason some find it more painful than others is we have dirfferent hair types.

I bought a braun one and it was downright painful and I am pretty stoical. I persevered and self medicated but it was like an instrument of torture
Two of my friends tried it and only found it mildly uncomfortable.I gave it to them to keep

I conclude that some people's hairs are more firmly attached then others!

TheCappster · 12/10/2009 07:30

have a nice warm bath first, open all the pores

mine is a really old one with no pain relief, I think I'm just used to it now

jasper · 12/10/2009 07:37

capster, I tried all that - bath, painkillers, alcohol. That bit was at least enjoyable.
I persevered for a year.It never got any less sore , nor did I get used to it. I am not a wimp, honest.

My hair attachment theory is supported by the fact that it removed hair swiftly from my friends but on my hairy legs, I had to go over the same area several times. The hair just did not want to let go!

HopingForASunnyDay · 12/10/2009 15:19

Two words ladies - EMLA Cream.

Just apply a thin layer, sit back for 20 mins and voila, can't feel a thing!

Bleh · 12/10/2009 15:32

I am just in awe of the two people epilating their nether regions. Never ever ever. I leave that bit up to the professionals.

It is a pain (sat here hiding long leg hairs under tights), but it works out much cheaper than shaving or waxing, and more effective than shaving and with less growing time than waxing.

NeedCoffee · 12/10/2009 15:39

I got the braun epi-silk too It does bloody hurt but also gets beteer the more you do it, I just can't be bothered anymore, plus my legs have started itching like crazy whether I've used it or not, shaved or not, no rash or anything, I think it may have been the epilator

jasper · 12/10/2009 15:45

Hoping, hair removal creams do not work on me! However I have not tried EMLA so will give it a whirl,thanks.
Do they sell it in bog standard chemists?

jasper · 12/10/2009 15:46

IPL hair removal at a salon( £600) did not work well on me either.

HopingForASunnyDay · 12/10/2009 15:55

Jasper, its a local anesthetic cream - doctors use it to numb skin prior to injections.

I apply it to underarms/bikini area, then 20 mins later can epilate with no pain at all...honestly the stuff is a godsend!

I get mine on t'interweb...hang on and I'll try to find you a link to the site I use.

Only problem is it comes in teeeny tubes, so probably not practical for legs etc, mores the pity!

HopingForASunnyDay · 12/10/2009 15:58

this is the site I use www.expresschemist.co.uk/product_10242_emla-cream-5--5g.html

jasper · 12/10/2009 15:59

Hoping, fantastic!
I will def give that a try!

HopingForASunnyDay · 12/10/2009 16:11

You're welcome Jasper

MorrisZapp · 12/10/2009 16:23

Can you buy EMLA in the chemists? Or just online?

I love my epilator - best gadget known to womankind. Maybe I'm weird but I actually enjoy epilating - it's so satisfying seeing the wee hairs get flung up in the air, like mowing a lawn!

Mine's a Braun Silkepil, I got it half price in Boots. Had it for about three years now, use it maybe every second week. You can do it while watching telly as no mess or smell.

Armpits are a bridge too far though. Will def try that cream.

notimetotidy · 03/11/2009 19:32

I got an epilator a few weeks ago. Hurt like mad the first time but not too bad now. Are your legs supposed to be really smooth afterwards. No matter how often I do mine they still feel prickly - am I doing something wrong?

ImSoNotTelling · 03/11/2009 19:45

I tried an epilator when I was a teen in the 80s - it was really ineffective and hurt like a bastard - maybe things have moved on since then?

Mind you like jasper mine seem indestructible - I remember leaving hair remover cream on my legs for hours and hours and still the bloody hairs wouldn't scrape off.

Should I ask for an epilator for xmas? Is it worth a try, clever MN people?

InMyLittleHead · 03/11/2009 19:49

Weird that this threat has popped up just now! I did persevere in the end and last night I did them again - MUCH better this time round. Will be sticking with it now.
notimetotidy Apparently there are two types of hair that grow at different speeds or something, so you have to do it once, then again in a few days to pick up the rest.

OP posts:
ThisBoyDraculaDrew · 03/11/2009 19:56

I find that if the hairs are a touch too long I get a reasonable amount of breakage, so redo after a weeek.

Tis fab though.

Also do my ladygarden....or at least the border of, but armpits hurt like buggery - only ever managed a tiny area. Shaving is fine.

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