If you want a silky-smooth skin, and you want it to last for a few weeks, the best thing to get is an epilator. Simply put, when it comes to hair removal methods that offer long-lasting results, epilation is superior.
Yes, shaving might be less painful, but it will last for a few days only. And waxing does not offer the same results. But the question many women have is how to use an epilator?
If you are just entering the world of epilation, it might be challenging to get a hand on it at first. The good news is, you can easily learn how to use an epilator.
The best part about epilation is that the method provides silky-smooth finish, without the mess of depilatory creams.
Guide to perfect epilation experience
Step 1 – Choose your epilator
Nowadays, there are a lot of epilators on the market. They can range in price between $30 and $300. We are not saying you should buy the most expensive one.
It all comes down to preference. Do quick research, and see what is the epilator best suited for you.
Generally speaking, higher quality epilators have more tweezers, can work in wet and dry conditions, and can catch hold of shorter hairs.
Check some of our reviews regarding epilators here.
Step 2 – Plan
For those of you who are experienced in epilating, you can skip this step. But if you are new into the world of epilating, it is good to plan ahead.
Set aside a time when having enough time to do it properly and patiently. You do not want to epilate in a hurry. You do not want to feel rushed.
Epilating takes longer than shaving, and after a few tries, you will have a general idea of how much time you need.
A good idea is to do it in the evening, especially after the day is over. And redness will go down overnight.
Step 3 – Prepare your skin
Now it is time to prepare yourself for the epilating experience. You should never epilate without exfoliating. It is a good idea to exfoliate your skin a day or two prior to epilating.
Exfoliating will remove dead skin cells from the surface, and reduce the risk of ingrown hairs. We recommend using hypoallergenic exfoliators.
If you use a non-waterproof or corded epilator, you have to make sure your skin is completely dry. It is a good idea to dry your skin in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Some women want to pat some baby powder which will further dry the hair and make the hairs more visible.
Step 4 – Start working
It is now time to turn on the epilator and start working. Start on an area that is less sensitive, for example, lower leg area. Hold the epilator at a 90 degrees angle, resting against your skin, but not pushing into it.
Try to work at a 90 degrees angle at all times, since any other angle will not allow the tweezers to pick up the hairs.
With the free hand, pull your skin taut to help hairs come out easier and reduce any discomfort. Glide the epilator along your skin, and work against the direction of hair growth.
Remember, in some areas of your body, the direction of hair growth may change. This is especially true in trickier areas like underarms.
Never go quickly. Instead, pass the epilator over your body slowly, as it gives tweezers more time and chance to pick up hairs.
Step 5 – Aftercare
Once you are done with epilating, it is time to apply aftercare treatment. Remember, the process does not end with turning off the epilator. Instead, it ends with you taking care of your skin.
Your skin might be little red and bumpy and inflamed. That is perfectly normal, so you should not panic. The symptoms will go away in a few hours. Every time you epilate, the symptoms will be less and less noticeable.
After epilating, soothe your skin with an aloe vera or any other moisturizer with soothing ingredients.
Epilation vs. Waxing
We mentioned at the beginning that epilation is a much more effective and efficient treatment than waxing. Why?
Well, here are a couple of quick comparisons.
- While both epilation and waxing remove hair at the root level, epilation can last up to 6 weeks, while waxing lasts 4 weeks at most
- Waxing requires hair to grow back to a ¼ of an inch or more, while a good epilator can work on hair as short as 1/8 of an inch
- In terms of price, while a good epilator can cost up to $200, in the long run, it gives you a more affordable option. Getting wax professionally done will cost you a lot more. In any case, you need to buy new waxing strips over and over again. On the other hand, the best epilator can last up to a few years
- Waxing is better in terms of pain level, but some women easily get used to the epilator pain after a few tries
- Speaking of how to use an epilator, once you get the hang of it, you can easily go over an area in just a few minutes. With waxing, you need more time, as you have to warm the wax, and then carefully position strips on your body
Tips for using an epilator
Now that we know how to use an epilator, and why it is better than waxing, we want to give you a couple of tips to extract maximum benefits.
There are some tricks, secrets, and tips, that can make your epilation as easy as it can be.
- Choose a wet/dry model that gives you the flexibility to epilate in the shower. It is less painful and easier to do for beginners
- Go for an epilator with a small light LED on the front, which will show up finer and fairer hairs that you might otherwise miss
- Always epilate in the evening, because you are more relaxed and the pain threshold is higher. And if you get bumps or irritation, it will go away overnight and in the morning you will have silky-smooth hair ready for display
- Shower a few hours before epilating to clean your skin and make hairs easier to grab
- In the sensitive area, make sure to pull your skin taut with your free hand
- Epilate when it is warm, as your pores will be more relaxed and your skin will be less sensitive
- Exfoliate a few days before an epilating session, to make sure you get rid of dead skin cells and other things that might clog your pores and cause ingrown hairs
- Keep track of your menstrual cycle. You are most sensitive to pain during your period, and least sensitive right after it. It is a nice idea to epilate after your period ends
