How much do epilators hurt?

[YouWereRight]

I bought an epilator and now I'm scared to use it. How bad is it really?

It was the back of my calves that made me launch the epilator. I never knew there were so many nerve endings in that area until that moment.

Bikini line, fuck that I'll be happy with getting my my ankles done.

Hurts like *!! DH used to do it for me & he isn’t sadistic but he did used to laugh at my yells of pain! The neighbours must have thought he was killing me! I have got a very low pain threshold though.

I do my legs and underarms with one, I've used it for years. The first couple of times it was wine assisted, but then it was ok.

The problem is it takes ages AND it's really sore. Waxing is a little more painful but is over much sooner.

You could probably do it quicker if you didn't spend 5 minutes psyching yourself up to let it actually touch your leg at every single step mind you.

Use an ice pack first.
You soon get used to it. I do my underarms and face now too (joys of menopause)

It’s a nice pain

I'm not very hairy but it's not terribly painful. Bikini line hurts and you need to be careful. Follow the instructions about hair growth direction to avoid ingrown hairs. Much prefer it to shaving as the regrowth isn't stubbly.

I tried gin and painkillers, yes together, but still howled I would like to try again but need to build up to it!

I find the shorter the hair, the less it hurts. When I shave a day or two before, it doesn't hurt at all and I can do legs, bikini line and underarms. I do it again a couple of days later to be sure I've got all of the hairs.
Then it's just maintenance! If I forget and don't do it for a while, I always shave again as a quick one-off before epilating. I found this way best after some painful trial and error!

Make sure the skin is really really dry (so not after a shower) and NOT moisturised (no body lotion)

Paper dry skin is a must.

Pulling skin taut helps too

It hardly hurts then. It's a very light "pain", and I love having the hairs pulled out root and all!

It can then look like chicken skin for a few hours

But really, IMO it does not hurt at all (on legs anyway)

First couple of times it will hurt loads!! Ice pack and alcohol will numb it. It does get easier though , I find underarms are more painful than legs.

I found rubbing with a baby-wipe as I was doing each section made the first few goes more bearable.
After a few months it's no problem at all.

I find it fine on my legs.

Tried in under my arms the other day,agony. Mine is a wet/dry one so will have a go in the shower.

No way would I do my bikini line with it!

It hurt like hell the first time I did it but I found keeping going, rather than short bursts was the key, once adrenaline kicked in it was fine. I find sticking some headphones on and watching a film/ listening to a podcast was good distraction.

Also, after the initial big job, keep doing it regularly so you get the hairs at all stages of the growth cycle so you don't end up ever having to do the Grande Defoliagemente ever again.

(Caveat: I can do legs and bikini line but draw the line at armpits, that was worse than childbirth)

The first time it feels like of pin picks, but the second time it's much better. Once you've done them a few times it's not particularly painful.
I've been epilating for about 3 years and wish I'd started 20 years ago.
Use exfoliating gloves daily to avoid ingrown hairs.

I've been using mine for about 5 years now on my legs and upper lip. Yes, it was painful the first time (but nowhere near as painful as waxing) and now I hardly feel it at all (and the hair's much sparser).
Infinitely preferable to shaving!

I find waxing less painful than epilating.

I suggest shaving first, then epilating maybe two days later and then again every two or three days for a week or two. You won't be pulling it all out at once, just one growth cycle at a time, and there won't be a lot of growth so you can be quick. After your initial time investment once you get on top of it you only have to do it once a month or so.

Also make sure you have one with a good density of metal plates, not the little tweezers, which break the hairs and take forever.

A couple of paracetamol or a co-codemol half an hour before will also take the edge off. And don't do it when your period is due.

I can't do without mine, it's great.

Also glycolic is great to avoid ingrowing hairs. I never have much luck with salicylic products.

it hurts at first but I enjoy it now, the hairs 'weaken' in as much as they pull out much more easily and some just stop growing
well thats been my experience anyway

I've been epilating for years. It did hurt at first but these days I don't feel much at all. I do everywhere that needs doing. Most of my leg hairs have long since given up & don't bother growing back any more. I recommend taking painkillers before you start & pulling the skin tight.