Do Epilators Hurt? It depends but here’s how to make it less painful

Spring Epilators

Spring epilators were the first commercially available epilators. They feature rotating coils that open and close trapping the hair between the coils and pulling the hair. These epilators are generally more painful than other types due to the lower speed at which the hair is removed.

Disc Epilators

These epilators feature multiple rotating discs that are angled so that as they rotate, they come together to grasp and lift the hair. They then release the removed hair as they angle away from each other. Disc epilators usually resemble the older style spring epilators, in that they have a wide bar of discs that resemble a coil.

Disc epilators will vary depending mostly on the number of disc pairs. Some epilators only have a few rotating discs for precision hair removal, while others feature a large number of discs for removing hair from larger areas faster and easier.

Tweezer Epilators

Tweezer epilators are similar to disc epilators in that they use multiple discs to remove the hair. However, tweezer epilators feature a three-disc hair removal system. The three discs include on fixed disc surrounded by two angled discs. The fixed disc ensures more fluid and faster hair removal.

Additionally, most tweezer epilators feature bi-directional heads that actually pull the skin slightly just before the discs grab and remove the hair. Like older style disk epilators, the tweezer epilators have a number of three-disc heads.

Where they are drastically different, is that tweezer epilators bi-directional heads are usually offset slightly. This helps to provide for the removal of more hair with each pass. This design also makes removing even superfine or shorter hair easier as well. The majority of epilators available today are tweezer epilators.

Corded/Cordless Epilators

Just like traditional electric razors, epilators can be found in both corded and cordless designs. When choosing whether to buy an epilator, you will want to decide how you are most likely to use it. Being attached to a cord may mean staying closer to an outlet, however, you are probably sacrificing a little bit of power when choosing a cordless version.

Wet/Dry Epilators

Another feature similar to electric razors is that epilators may often be found with wet/dry features. This means you can use your epilators in the bath or shower if you choose. The biggest advantage of choosing a wet/dry epilator is that you can use several methods to soften the hair and loosen the hair from the follicle for easier, less painful hair removal.

Manual Epilators

Believe it or not, there are manual spring epilators still available. These low-tech epilators feature a tightly coiled spring that opens when you bend it, and then when you straighten and twist the spring it grabs and pulls the hair. This is by far the most pain epilator. A manual spring does offer the most precision, but the painful, slow hair removal process also means you will likely want to stop way before you finish.

Hair is too Long

Hair that is long will not be easily grasped by an epilator. Instead, the hair is more likely to be lain over. If the epilator happens to grasp the hair, it may even be trapped between the stationary disc and the skin. This can cause a painful pulling sensation since the hair is not pulled away quickly. Trimming longer hair may help to decrease the pain associated with epilating longer hairs.

Thick Hair

Individuals with exceptionally thick body or facial hair may find that using an epilator can be quite painful, as the thicker hair causes the epilator to work harder and pull longer on the hair to remove it.

Thick hair can be softened and taking the time to exfoliate and warm the skin beneath can help to reduce the pain that epilating thick hair may cause. You can also take extra steps to ensure the skin is properly hydrated and moisturized as well. However, always make sure not to use a moisturizer for 24 prior to using an epilator.

Sensitive Skin

Individuals with sensitive skin or a low tolerance for pain may want to forego the use of an epilator completely. While the technology is always improving, the general premise of an epilator can still cause skin irritation and some pain, even if tolerable to most.

If this describes you, but you are deadest on using an epilator, use all of the tips in this guide to help reduce the amount of pain and skin irritation. You may also follow up your epilating session with a calming moisturizer to help soothe the skin and decrease pain.

Cold or Extra Dry Skin

When your skin is cold or excessively dry it tightens, that also means that the hair follicles will tighten around the hair shaft. This will result in increased pain if you choose to use an epilator when you are experiencing cold or dry skin. You can decrease this by taking a warm shower or apply a warm compress to the area just before epilating. Make sure to dry the skin completely if your epilator does not contain the wet/dry feature.

Trim Longer Hair Before Epilating

Taking the time to trim longer hair will allow the epilator to work more efficiently, thus less pulling and resulting pain. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the length that hair should be in order to achieve the best possible results.

Ibuprofen

Individuals that can, may want to consider taking ibuprofen, or similar inflammation or pain reducer 30 minutes to an hour before using an epilator. This may help to reduce the pain slightly as well as help you to relax. When you are relaxed the muscles loosen allowing the pain receptors in the brain to calm as well. Stress can increase pain.

Wait for Skin to Heal if Irritated

Skin that is damaged or irritated should be allowed to heal completely before using an epilator. Epilating can lead to further irritation, trauma, or even an increased risk of infection. Just wait while your skin heals, you will be happier in the long run.

Warm the Skin

Taking a warm/hot shower or bath just before using an epilator does a lot for reducing pain. The warm/hot water softens the hair and expands the hair follicles, loosening the grip on the hair shaft. This allows for a smoother removal of the hair, thus less painful.

Conversely, using a cool/cold compress after using an epilator can also reduce inflammation and irritation, as well as help to seal the pores, decreasing the risk of infection.

Moisturize 24 Hours Before Using an Epilator

As we mentioned, dry brittle hair and dry skin do not make a great combination for using an epilator without experiencing pain. Using a quality moisturizer on the area that you plan to epilate will help to soften the skin and hair making removal significantly easier which should also reduce the pain as well.

Go Slow

This is perhaps the most important part of reducing pain when using an epilator. People are more familiar with electric razors that are often used in quick passes or circles on the skin to shave the hair. Epilators work completely differently and as such, should be used differently. Going slower with the epilator will also make sure you are not overloading the epilator, allowing it to work more efficiently.

Working in small areas at a time, pull the skin tightly, and pass the epilator slowly across the area. Some epilators can be used in two directions; however, most are not designed to be run in circles. If you have hair that grows in multiple directions, shifting the entire epilator direction while only moving the epilator backward and forwards will eventually catch every hair.

Before Use

Especially the first time, you will have a better experience if you take a hot shower and gently exfoliate the area where you plan to use the epilator. The heat helps to soften the hair and follicles, which leads to cleaner hair removal; dry brittle hair is more likely to break off then be pulled from the hair follicle. Gentle exfoliation helps to remove any dead skin or oil that would limit the epilators ability to efficiently grasp the hair. It will also ensure a cleaner hair removal leading to less cleaning of the epilator afterward.

Hold the Skin

Just like you would hold the skin taut while waxing for easier hair removal, the same is true for epilating. By holding the skin and working in small sections, it allows for quicker and easier hair removal; thus, less pain.

Move in the Opposite Direction of Hair Growth

Hair will lift easier if you are moving against the direction the hair grows naturally. Individuals whose hair grows in multiple directions may have to make passes in multiple directions in order to make sure that all the hair is removed.

Long-Lasting Hair Removal

The biggest advantage of using an epilator for hair removal is that the results last significantly longer than shaving. In some cases, the results may even match that of hard waxing hair removal.

Hair Growth

Over time, with regular use, many individuals notice that the hair that does grow back after using an epilator is thinner and grows slower. Some lucky individuals even reach permanent hair removal over time using an epilator.

Efficient

Once you get the hang of using an epilator is becomes a very quick and efficient way of removing unwanted hair. For many individuals, it becomes a part of their regular grooming routine, and they even report becoming more and more desensitized to the pain they felt originally the more they use their epilator for hair removal.

All Over Hair Removal

Unlike other hair removal methods, an epilator is safe for removing hair anywhere ON the body. This flexibility means you can have the hair free experience you want without having to use multiple devices, waxes, or creams. The only areas that epilators may not be effective are internal hairs, such as nose hairs, although there are special epilators designed just for the nose and the most sensitive areas of men and women.

Potentially Painful

We can’t avoid it any longer, yes for many individuals there is a potential for pain when using an epilator. Though long-time epilator users report that the newer models produce significantly less pain than early epilators. And every type of electric epilator is less painful than a manual epilator; dare you to try it!

Ingrown Hairs

The oddest thing about ingrown hairs is that people generally either fight them no matter which hair removal method they use, or they never have to deal with ingrown hairs. In general, individuals that fight ingrown will probably notice they may increase while using an epilator. However, this can be combated using the exfoliation tips that we talk about throughout this article. Proper exfoliation can potentially completely eliminate current and potential ingrown hairs.

Cost

When you compare epilators side by side with other hair removal methods, they will likely appear more costly. However, we challenge you to compare them on the effectiveness and long term potential as well as cost and you will quickly see that the benefits will likely outweigh the cost.

There are some fairly reasonable epilators, however, they usually have significantly fewer discs, this means a lot more work to remove hair from larger areas. Though individuals just looking to use an epilator on their face may want to consider one of these more compact versions.

Skin Irritation/Redness

Epilators can cause some irritation to the skin as well as some redness. This varies greatly from user to user, and even from epilator to epilator. For individuals that experience extreme irritation, following the tips below may help to reduce irritation.

Alternatively, you may have to try a different epilator or hair removal method altogether. Epilators are not for everyone, so do not be disappointed if you are not able to use one without excess irritation. Your comfort should be a priority!