Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

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:

roary · 29/05/2010 15:40

Doesn't hurt me at all. and am hairy.

CiderIUp · 29/05/2010 19:28

I had one that hurt like buggery, and I'm a hardened waxer.

I think it was because it just kind of minces around pulling and tweaking at individual hairs, causing maximum pain. At least waxing is like pulling a plster off, yes it can hurt but the pain is over quickly.

Bobbalina · 29/05/2010 21:40

The new expensive ones are very low pain. Spend £80. And you'll be delighted, spend less or use one made years ago and expect much more.

Mine is much less painful than waxing. Make sure hairs are not too long fir the first go is a good tip

badkitty · 29/05/2010 23:51

Yes - get it lasered - brilliant.

YanknCock · 29/05/2010 23:54

I used my expensive one twice then sold it on ebay. Less pain and hassle to pay someone to wax it for me.

TheNextMrsDepp · 30/05/2010 00:04

Mine came with all sorts of pain-relieving clobber (fancy massaging head attachments, ice pack gloves etc.). Starting off using them all, then one by one they fell by the wayside. Now I just use the "well 'ard" attachment, grrr....
Below the knee I feel no pain; above the knee, ouch; bikini line, are you kidding??!
Anyway, come on you lot, you all gave birth? What's a little hair plucking in comparison?

funkychunkymunky · 30/05/2010 00:12

I've never really found it painful and I'm very hairy...

Having said that, I didn't find childbirth painful either

melondrama · 30/05/2010 01:01

haha i tried once jumped in the air screaming and threw the blasted thing in a cupboard... but after few months perservered and its really worth it. esp if no time for waxing post kids

less painfull, or threshold increases and regrowth much less so over time use less frequently

melondrama · 30/05/2010 01:02

but can't do armpits and bikini is wince inducing

angel2001 · 31/05/2010 21:36

i epilate my legs and they just feel like little pin pricks to me which don't bother me at all. i have my eye brows and under arms waxed which does hurt but well worth it

angel2001 · 31/05/2010 21:37

then i have a morning of pampering cus i have minx put on my nails afterwards so a ice pamper morning every 4 -6 weeks

thelunar66 · 31/05/2010 21:44

legs easy... no pain

underarms... no pain after 3 goes

bikini... still hurts like fuck after many goes.

NoahAndTheWhale · 31/05/2010 21:45

I found the first time on my legs it was painful but not really badly painful. Gets better each time.

tweetymum · 01/06/2010 00:18

I epilate everywhere (including face and underarms) Haven't dared the bikini line yet though.

It only hurts if you have long hair. Your best bet would be to shave first and then epilate after four days. The hair regrowth is very much weaker, and at this point it stops hurting. And the results last much longer than anything else. Plus you can epilate even when the hair is tiny and don't have to wait for regrowth like waxing.

I have saved loads of money with my epilator and adore it. I use Braun's Silk Epil Wet or Dry.

deaddei · 01/06/2010 11:12

I have quite an old one I haven't used in ages but could be tempted by a newer model.
Is Braun a good one?

HousewifeOfOrangeCounty · 01/06/2010 11:19

I bought one recently for £20 - ish, it was on special offer but was the cheapest in the range. I had one years ago, which I eventually gave up on due to pain, but this new one is great. I took painkillers, used the ice glove and the least painful setting and found it painfree so have now upgraded to the quickest setting and don't bother with the glove etc.

I did make sure that I only had a couple of days regrowth having shaved first and I only do below knees.

I have tried the bikini area at it was painfull, but I think if you shaved first and waited for a short regrowth it would be more manageable.

Wonderstuff · 01/06/2010 11:20

I love love love my epilator - was put off for years after trying on full on hairy legs and not being able to cope with the pain, but as others have said the secret is wax first, then use epilator about once a week. I have got a fairly cheap one (after I lost he power cable for my expensive one) and I don't think that the cost of them matters much.

Seriously I am the hairiest person alive and used to dread summer because it is such a mission to get my legs out but this year, no problem, I have finally tamed my legs, had them waxed a couple of months ago and have been maintaining with epilator ever since - skirts without fear is bliss works well on my arms too - would worry about ingrowth on pits - shave them..

glacierchick · 01/06/2010 11:57

Small thread hijack:

I'm interested in getting an epilator (so bored of shaving and no time for waxing appointments)so if you are a fan, I'd like to know, what's your favourite brand/model?

bruffin · 01/06/2010 12:05

I have an old one and new one. The old one is a philips satinelle which did hurt, but you do get used to it and a nurophen 20 minutes before hand helps. Just bought a Braun wet and dry and it hurts a lot less, however I don't think it is as efficient as my old one.

thelunar66 · 01/06/2010 17:30

I have braun silk epil. It's important to make sure you get one with 'headlights' so you can see bits you've missed.

Mine is about 2 years old and works just fine. I see Braun have brought one out this summer that claims to remove hair the length of a grain of sand so I might upgrade when I have enough Boots points.

tweetymum · 01/06/2010 18:29

I have a Braun Silk Epil too, wet and dry. I think the new ones are not as good as the old ones, I had one of their first models and it was much better. The headlights are useful though, and I like the razor/ trimmer attachments. The razor is useless, but the trimmer is good for managing the extra hairy bits.

elsiepiddock · 02/06/2010 01:19

I've got one and I don't think it hurts a bit. Use it on my lower legs and underarms (and feet ). It's fab on underarms as after a while they hardly grow back.

angel2001 · 02/06/2010 09:00

i really like mine think its a braun silk thingy. it green and white. then only thin i don't like it is its not cordless but i do love it. got it in boots sale for bout 30 should have been around 80.7i have to admit after thinking hey this don't hurt ,y legs i tried my bikini line ouch never again stick with shaving there when needed. not tried underarms but i don't mind waxing. gives me a pamper morning waxing, nails and even massage this time (a lovely birthday pressie from a friend) all with a wonderful beautician, ooo can't wait til my back is better then i can get all this done i sooo need this after comin out of hospital for 5 weeks having a mental breakdown, ........working hard to get better

mankyscotslass · 02/06/2010 09:03

I use a Braun Silkepil one too.

Legs are fine to do, and I now do my underarms, which was painful to start with but is ok now. I do have to watch for ingrowing hairs, but I had to do that when waxing anyway.

I love it!

deaddei · 02/06/2010 13:18

I am going to buy one later today.
I have a ridiculously high pain threshold- allegedly.

Flip

1 2 3