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Epilators - do they hurt?

53 replies

mistressploppy · 28/05/2010 13:41

Just wondering, I'm fed up with shaving and too wimpy disorganised for waxing.

I heard they hurt loads but it gets better as the hair gets finer/weaker - true?

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 28/05/2010 13:43

Yes. A lot.

cookielove · 28/05/2010 13:43

I know they hurt the first few times, the pain was to much for me to carry on after that,

MadreInglese · 28/05/2010 13:43

YES

BoysAreLikeDogs · 28/05/2010 13:44

urrrr their mouthparts going ''ang ang ang''

mistressploppy · 28/05/2010 13:44

Bollocks Oh drat, never mind, on with the shaving then

OP posts:
Eglu · 28/05/2010 13:45

Yes, evil. Much worse than waxing imo. At least waxing takes a load of hairs at once, whereas an epilator is like using tweezers.

Chandra · 28/05/2010 13:47

I think that nobody uses epilators after trying them. They are sold to first time users who soon realise they would rather turn into bears than using them again.

Obviously, there may be people with some very thin hair (or very high pain threshold) who may be the exception of the rule.

Eleison · 28/05/2010 14:10

Yes they hurt! But they are worth it. You stay hairless for longer and it is TRUE that the hair grows back more weakly. If you do it fairly frequently, before you look like Sherwood Forest, the pain is less because not all of the hairs will have started to grow above the surface.

It is reallt worth it to avoid sticky wax horror or the whole leg-beard stubbly thing of shaving

jamaisjedors · 28/05/2010 14:12

Yes.

But if you wax first and then start epilating about a week later when there is a bit of regrowth it is manageable.

Do not believe that rubbish spouted by magazines about waxing lasting 6 weeks though!

Thistledew · 28/05/2010 14:17

I have been epilating for years and have quite strong dark hairs, and hating having to shave every day. It used to hurt lots so I would get stoned take painkillers before doing it. Now the hairs are much weaker it barely registers. I do it about once a month, and shave once in between times.

arsesandoldlace · 28/05/2010 14:19

What Chandra said.

I still haven't forgotten the pain of using my epilator for the first time - to rip out half my thatch.

And the ice pack does not help.

Celery · 28/05/2010 20:05

To be honest, I didn't really mind the pain, but just kept getting ingrowing hairs, which were a total bugger to get rid of, so that's what put me off, rather than the pain.

ja9 · 28/05/2010 20:21

Anyone done eyebrows? Seriously considering...

jamaisjedors · 28/05/2010 20:58

Eyebrows! Seriously?

I can barely bear to pluck them - usually wimp out and get the beautician to do it.

BallpointPen · 28/05/2010 21:00

You lot are pussies. They don't hurt. Yes, you can feel it but they work good.

nannyj · 28/05/2010 21:11

Yes they do, don't get one.....ever!

Lubyloo · 28/05/2010 21:15

No they don't hurt- they just take getting used to.

I do legs, underarms, bikini line and facial hair and it is fine.

nancydrewrocks · 29/05/2010 14:21

Hurts less than waxing but that is cancelled out by the fact that it takes much longer however if I have a good mag or mumsnet to distract me I don't find the job too awful.

That being said I only really do my legs. My bikini line and underarms are waxed and when I have a light regrowth I might use the epilator but really need to have had a glass of wine to numbe the pain in those instances!

SacharissaCripslock · 29/05/2010 14:26

I felt faint the first time I used an epilator. The pain, the pain. Bastard thing lives in a cupboard growing dustier by the year.

mrsjuan · 29/05/2010 14:29

I got one a few weeks ago and don't think it hurt [hard as nails] but I am finding that my legs look like a plucked chicken - not sure if I'm doing it right??

SacharissaCripslock · 29/05/2010 14:31

Get you with your sexy legs.

CaptainWinky · 29/05/2010 14:37

I like mine- I use tend skin on it after epilating and don't have a problem with ingrowing hairs/redness. It really doesn't hurt as long as you do it regularly to keep on top of it. I find it weirdly relaxing and do legs, underarms and bikini line. Underarms are difficult but only because they are a bit awkward.

It hurts LOADS less than waxing.

mookle · 29/05/2010 14:43

mistressploppy - I am quite low pain threshold and yes it hurt like a bugger I would say the first 2-3 weeks of using but I was determined as sick of spending a fortune on razors etc. Now 1 year on its honestly the best thing i did, hairs are so fine now even when they grow back you can hardly see them, no scratchy beard legs anymore, and does not hurt a bit. However I have never managed to get past the pain of bikini line usage - just cant do it, nearly passed out from pain!!

StarlightMcKenzie · 29/05/2010 14:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

sweetnitanitro · 29/05/2010 14:57

I love my epilator, I realise I'm in a minority it stings a bit doing my pits but doing my legs doesn't hurt one bit (and I am a big wimp)- I much prefer it to waxing and you don't have to let your hair grow long before you can do it.

I would suggest trying one out a couple of times before you buy one though, the good ones are pretty expensive. If you do buy one, get one with a 'headlight', it's easier to see if you've missed a bit then.

Mrsjuan- they do look a bit plucked-chickeny at first, I always do my legs the night before so that I can wear a skirt without looking scary

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