I blame you lot.

[TheOriginalFAB]

I bought an epilator and while there is no doubt it removes hairs, it is too damn painful. Even when I use the cold pack on my legs first. Any tips before I bin it?

No. Bin it, FAB!

Is it one that you can use in the shower? I find that helps.

I've been epilating for years and it doesn't hurt anymore, somehow your skin/flesh gets used to it. I love mine and wouldn't be without it.

It gets less painful after a few times.

Not in the shower as it is a plug in one. SO far it hasn't got less painful. I have asked DH to do it as I might be able to take the pain better. I can't wax myself but can cope with the beautician do it, so that is the reason behind my mad thinking.

That is brave! I wouldn't let DH within a mile of me wielding an epilator!

Pull skin taught, move it in circular motions over the tightened area. Glass of wine helps too, as does paracetamol half an hour beforehand.

Used to make me squeal but now I can do it no problem. Even my underarms and bikini

Taught and circles are your key words.

I am an idiot. Have been doing it up the leg a la normal razor shaving.

God no it HURTS like that! Well it hurts in a taught circle too, but less! Power through and it'll soon be OK.

Also, don't try to get every hair in one go, do it over a day or two for (a) comfort and (b) more manageable regrowth

nooo don't throw it out send it to me :D I'll pay postage!!

Minutely less painful but it was more work-through-the-pain- ala-exercising than not painful. Still might go with MrFab doing it .

isn't it more painful to be subjected to someone else torturing depilating you??

No because I have no real control over them doing it. When I do it myself I can stop every 2 seconds time it hurts. Have already warned DH that ones legs are still hairy in parts .

Don't wait for the recommended 3 weeks in between, do it every week, it gets less painful the more you do it. It may help if you shave and then wait for a week so that none of the hairs are too long, thats what makes it massively painful. Didn't realise you were meant to do it in circles, will try that next time.

Will give that a go, thanks.

I've never tried the circular thing either, but I am able to cope with the pain (wierdly painful near the knees, but nowhere else).

It's worth enduring just for the non-bristly regrowth and the fact that it lasts for weeks.

TAUT not TAUGHT! Why can no-one spell on here?

I can't believe I ever epliated my bikini line. Extreme pain and epic ingrown hairs!

Try taking some painkillers an hour before as suggested, stretch the skin as you do it and keep going. I find it easier in straight lines not circles. I think its worse if someone else does it so I'd be wary of your DH doing it. It gets much less painful as time goes on. I can't feel it now as I have been doing it for ages. Its like shaving really. I can do my bikini line too so its worth sticking with it.

I find it painful by the knees and down by my ankles but I love my new epilator other than that.

YY taut.

Fucks sake. Over reaction, much?

It's a bit better after a bath when your skin's softer.

Good tips from all. It really is worth persevering with. I lost my epilator for a while (or rather ds helpfully hid it...) and had to go back to shaving which was horrible. The hair grew back so quickly and coarsely. Now I'm back to epilating I will never shave again..