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Original poster

The art of epilation

27 replies

Flakes · 29/03/2011 16:11

Have recently purchased said torture device and used it once. Am 25 yr veteran of waxing so fairly high pain threshold... V pleased with results so far- 6 days ago- but would welcome tips for maintenance Smile Should I go over weekly or less frequently? Am vvv dark and hairy and warmer months are a killer. BTW will it get less painful?? It's hard to inflict the pain on yourself!

OP posts:
SarkyLady · 29/03/2011 16:13

I do "little and often"

Not so painful that way.

Original poster
Flakes · 29/03/2011 16:15

Is that really true? I hoped so. Is it cos the roots haven't got such a good grip yet (v scientific)

OP posts:
SarkyLady · 29/03/2011 17:00

I think it it mainly because you end up grabbing fewer hairs at a time.
The ones you've done recently have not yet cone back into the firing line iykwim.

anniepanniepears · 29/03/2011 17:03

little and often for me, wouldn't be with one now

bigbutton · 29/03/2011 17:04

Agree with little and often. I find the noise makes the pain seem worse than it really is. I epilate wearing headphones with loud cheerful music playing so I can't hear it. It's possible I'm just a bit mad, but I'm sure it helps :)

SarkyLady · 29/03/2011 17:29

I mostly do it in the shower. :)

IloveJackWhite · 29/03/2011 17:32

I agree with bigbutton - headphones distract you a bit and you can take the pain for longer!

Original poster
Flakes · 29/03/2011 17:36

Music is great idea. I nearly collapsed when I fired the thing up. It sounds like a chainsaw. Hadn't expected that Shock OK- will run over again tonight or is that too soon? Once a week about right?

OP posts:
RipMacWinkle · 29/03/2011 17:39

Legs are fine and little and often seems to work. But last week I tried to do my underarms. 'How sore can it be?' I thought. Holy Moly! Very, very much is the answer.

RipMacWinkle · 29/03/2011 17:39

Legs are fine and little and often seems to work. But last week I tried to do my underarms. 'How sore can it be?' I thought. Holy Moly! Very, very much is the answer.

Original poster
Flakes · 29/03/2011 17:43

Rip, did you keep going or abort? With legs I feel once you've started you kinda have to see it through but with armpits I'd be inclined to cut my losses and shave... BTW tonight better be as good as pain free Wink

OP posts:
AbsDuCroissant · 29/03/2011 17:45

Agree with Rip

NEVER EVER try epilating the following areas:

  • underarms and
  • anything in the bikini area

The underarms is the worst. There was blood and I'd rather try to forget it all.

SarkyLady · 29/03/2011 18:17

I do my underarms. Does that mean I'm well hard?

I shave if they are very hairy and then maintain with the torture device.

I would say more than weekly.

AbsDuCroissant · 29/03/2011 18:21

SarkyLady - I'm impressed

Original poster
Flakes · 29/03/2011 18:29

More than weekly!?! Saying that DH has suggested a couple of scoops tonight- bet that helps with endurance. Sarky, you are hard as! I did try bikini but that was unbearable pain (and I had 2 kids drug free...) Got out wax strips and that was FAR better. Why is this??

OP posts:
SarkyLady · 29/03/2011 19:32

Key to underarms is ...

Little and often :)

stylenotfashion · 29/03/2011 20:08

Key to underarms is to pull your skin really taut by trying to reach your hand down your back iyswim.

I am a woos and I can manage it OK if I do this. My SIL also recommends leaning into a doorframe so you are all curved, this tightens the area too.

HTH.

Original poster
Flakes · 29/03/2011 20:22

So it's all in the stretch and the frequency then. Thank you so much for the adviceSmile

OP posts:
TattyDevine · 29/03/2011 20:26

I do my underarms. I iz well ard innit.

I was an underarm virgin previously, in that I'd never even had a wax, I bought the thing for my legs.

However, thought may as well do underarms, its such a small area.

Nearly died.

Agree with pull taught. Apart from that, it gets better.

Yes, I drew blood, but well blood, is well, blood?

Who cares!!!

[hard as bones emoticon]

Persevere...

hormonesnomore · 29/03/2011 20:27

I epilate my underarms and the secrets are - tautness and talcum powder (just a little to dry the skin). I feel very little pain now.

There is a MNer who epilates her ladygarden but I can't remember who - SarahStratton is it you?

I wouldn't recommend it.

Ooopsadaisy · 29/03/2011 20:28

I must be a hard bitch. Grin

I do legs, underarms and bikini line.

I have a Brazilian wax at a salon too.

I am dark and rather hairy in my underneathy area if I don't deal with it. Blush

I swear by Aloe Vera gel which cools and heals the skin after waxing/epilating and a product called Tendskin which prevents ingrowing hairs. I have started using a homemade recipe (google it) for Tendskin as it is a bit ££££. It is just as good.

NellieForbush · 29/03/2011 20:34

I find having a glass of wine before I fire it up takes the edge off the pain.

Ok for underarms, only if the hairs are short and sparse for eg a short time after having them waxed.

Nagoo · 29/03/2011 20:37

oooh, tendskin recipe

Ooopsadaisy · 29/03/2011 20:40

Nagoo - if you are giving the recipe a try, don't bother going to Boots of Superdrug for the "rubbing alcohol".

I had no idea what it was and neither did either of those stores (including the pharmacist in Boots)

I went to a small, independant chemist where a really helpful lady knew exactly what I wanted.

justhalfwaythere · 29/03/2011 20:41

Can't live without it - had one for a year now. Legs get done about once a week - sometimes longer. Underarms were a killer the first time - but my trick is to give it 'flicks' instead of long stretches.
So much better to have soft hair grow back in rather than bristles!