Category: Personal Care Blog

I blog about personal care including hair removal, skin care, nail care, and hair care.

  • Can You Use an Epilator on Pubic Hair?

    Can You Use an Epilator on Pubic Hair?

    I’ve always been a little obsessive about finding the easiest and most efficient ways of doing things. So if there is a way to speed up the horrid beauty ritual of pubic hair removal, I want in on it. And that is one reason I ended up researching if and how pubic hair can be removed with an epilator.

    So can you use an epilator on pubic hair? Although this area is typically more sensitive than other body parts, epilators can safely and effectively remove shorter pubic hair from the bikini area. Hairs longer than about 3 mm should be trimmed or removed in another way first before epilating when the hairs start to grow back.

    So you CAN epilate your pubic hair. But should you? Is this method really a good idea for your lady bits or should you stick with waxing or shaving? There are several things to consider before venturing into epilation for the bikni area.

    Benefits of Epilating Pubic Hair

    There are 6 main benefits that I love about using an epilator for pubic hair removal:

    Super Smoothness

    Epilation leaves the skin silky smooth and soft without pokey hairs that pop back almost immediately. After time, hairs also grow back a bit thinner too.

    Results that Last for Weeks

    Since epilation pulls hairs out by the roots, they take a while to grow back. You can expect to be hair-free for 3-4 weeks before you’ll need to epilate again.

    Do-it-Yourself

    I can get salon quality results at home with an epilator. Since I don’t like strangers looking at or touching my crotch, this is a huge benefit. I’ll save that type of humiliation for the doctor’s office, thanks.

    Almost as Cheap as Dirt

    A top of the line epilator without a lot of bells and whistles can be bought for under $100 and it can last 5 or more years. That translates to a cost of less than $2 a month! So maybe cheaper than dirt, depending on where you get your dirt.

    Shorter Grow-Out Time

    You only need hair that is about 2 millimeters long to epilate with most epilators so there is no need to wait many days for hair to grow back. And some epilators remove hair as shorts as .05 millimeters.

    Sensitive-Skin Friendly

    Epilators don’t really affect the skin like waxing, razors, or hair removal creams, so irritation, cuts, bumps, burns, and allergic reactions can be avoided.

    Epilate at home and you too can avoid strangers looking at your va-jay-jay at the salon.

    Side Effects of Using an Epilator on Pubic Hair

    There are no perfect hair removal methods for pubic hair, so no matter which one you choose, there are risks of side effects. Here’s what you may experience with epilation:

    Pain

    This is pretty much a given with epilation. It pulls hairs out at the follicle which hurts like a mofo. But like tweezing and waxing, your body gets used to it as time goes on.

    Ingrown Hairs

    When you shave, the razor exfoliates your skin for you, so ingrown hairs are rare with saving. For most other hair removal methods, ingrown hairs can be an issue. The best way to avoid this is to exfoliate as much as possible.

    Inflammation

    Epilating is pretty gentle to your skin, but not so nice to your hair follicles. They can become inflamed which can cause swelling and redness.

    Bleeding

    Some people have more delicate hair follicles that can bleed when hairs are pulled out. This is usually really minimal and only happens the first time you epilate. After that, your follicles heal and become more resilient.

    Skin Damage

    This can happen if your skin is too loose and gets caught in the epilator. You can prevent it by using your epilator slowly and carefully and keeping your skin taut.

    Tips for Epilating Pubic Hair

    When epilating your pubic hair, you can follow the “how to” instructions in your manual. But there are tons of extra tips and tricks specific to pubic hair that you may want to know:

    Start with….Not Epilating 

    For pubic hair, one of the most important things to do is make sure your hair is not too long. Long, coarse pubic hair is going to be unbearable to epilate. The area is just too sensitive for all that.

    So if you want to epilate your pubic hair, I recommend shaving, waxing, trimming, or using some other hair removal method to get rid of the hair first. Then once it has grown back to .05 to 3 millimeters (depending on the requirements of your specific epilator) you can go to town with your epilator. And after that, you can continue to epilate each time the hair reaches .05-3 millimeters long.

    Keep It Right, Keep It Tight

    The second most important tip for epilating the pubic area is that you must pull the skin taut. Skin in this area is not the tightest and the epilator will just stretch the skin up with the hairs instead of pulling the hairs out quickly and uniformly. And this just makes it that much more painful.

    So use one hand to hold down the skin, pulling it away from the area you are epilating so that you are only epilating over skin that is really taut.

    Take It Easy

    Go slow, hold the epilator at a 90 degree angle, and epilate against the direction of your hair growth. This will help catch all the hairs and pull them out by the root instead of just cutting them off at the surface.

    Exfoliate Before and After

    The pubic area is prone to ingrown hairs, especially if your pubic hair is coarse. The best way to prevent this is to exfoliate before you epilate, the day after, and then at least every other day.

    Take Steps to Manage the Pain

    Some women recommend drinking wine or taking a shot of alcohol before epilating the bikini area. Another option is to take an over the counter pain medication. Just don’t take alcohol with pain killers because that can cause stomach bleeding and is a no no.

    Other pain management options include taking a hot bath beforehand, icing after, using numbing cream, or using an epilator with a massaging head.

    The first couple times I did it I needed to be drunk. Like not a glass of wine buzzed. Legitimately drunk. It became a slightly unique pregaming ritual of mine for when I had party plans. There’s no shame in breaking out the vodka. Eventually the pain goes down as the hair is thinner and weaker. Same theory as waxing.

    -Reddit User

    Use the Right Epilator

    Smaller epilators with lots of tweezers are ideal for the pubic hair. The smaller size allows you to navigate the area easier and more tweezers means faster results. And this is definitely an area you want to be done with as quickly as possible. Another feature to consider is an led light so that you can see better and avoid pinching any skin.

    Take Breaks but Don’t Quit

    It’s a pretty intense experience the first time, so take as many breaks as you need. But make sure you finish and repeat at least a few times before giving up. Each time will be easier and most people find that it is totally worth it in the long run.

    I just repeat in my head how much money I save by epilating and not going to get waxed. One time I epilated my lady parts fully. I consider it in my top 5 life achievements.

    -Reddit User

    Related Questions

    What is the best epilator for pubic hair?

    My pick for best epilator for pubic hair is the Panasonic ES-ED50-N Multi-Functional Wet/Dry Shaver and Epilator (click to check it out on Amazon). This epilator is also a shaver with a bikini comb, so you also use it to trim your pubic area before epilating. The gentle epilator head is the perfect size for navigating the pubic area and has added protection that prevents skin from getting caught in the tweezers. And it has an led light as well.

    Have more questions about epilation? Check out the Epilator FAQ and Beginner’s Guide!

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  • Nair Burn on Vag: Everything You Need to Know!

    Nair Burn on Vag: Everything You Need to Know!

    Hair removal creams like Nair seemed cool as hell when I first discovered them. Because, let’s face it, shaving those nether regions is awkward and time consuming. And, well, I liked wearing short shorts.

    But then I got burned. Literally. And I’m not the brightest person ever, so I tried these creams multiple times hoping something magically would change and experienced multiple burns. Between my experiences and tons of research, I’ve found the best ways to handle chemical burns from hair removal creams on the genitals or any other body part.

    So what do I recommend you do when you get a Nair burn on your vag? Quickly rinse the Nair completely off and flush the area in the shower for 15 minutes. If a shower isn’t available, soak in a lukewarm bath for 15 minutes. Gently pat dry the area with a soft towel. Apply hydro-cortisone ointment or a diaper rash cream (Desitin or Sudocrem are the best) to reduce irritation and pain. Then keep the burn moist with petroleum jelly.

    These basic first aid steps will stop more damage from occurring and reduce the pain a little bit. However, if you’re like me, you will be in for a rough day or two with pretty severe pain. Luckily, there are many other steps you can take at this point to reduce the pain and help the burn heal quickly.

    12 Remedies for Nair Chemical Burn Relief

    1. If you feel an increase in burning after your initial first aid, flush the area with water for several more minutes.

    2. To control pain and reduce inflammation, use over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen

    3. Don’t use burn creams intended for non-chemical burns. These can make the pain worse.

    4. Prevent friction and pressure on the area as much as possible. Do not have sex. It’s not worth it.

    5. Take lukewarm baths throughout the day to control pain if necessary.

    6. If you are experiencing pain when peeing, a recommended hack is to pee in the bathtub. Hold your fingers over the burned area so the pee doesn’t touch it as it leaves your body. Then drain the water and take a shower.

    7. Wear loose-fitting underwear and clothing. Skirts can be a good clothing choice until the burn heals.

    8. Applying ice to burns is usually discouraged, but some women recommend applying ice for vag burns from Nair to held manage pain that gets unbearable. Another option is getting a maxi pad wet, freezing it, and then applying it to your burn. You should only use ice for about 15-20 minutes at a time to prevent damaging the skin.

    9. Try a sitz bath. This is an alternative to bathing that helps relieve pain in the vag area.

    10. Wet some tea bags and apply to the affected area. Black or green tea are good choices for this.

    11. Continue applying a moisturizing ointment or cream, such as petroleum jelly, to the area so the burn stays moist. Chemical burns heal best this way.

    12. Clean the area and reapply moisturizer frequently to avoid infections.

    When to See a Doctor

    Most Nair chemical burns are first degree burns so they can usually be treated at home without any problems. However, if your burn is more severe with blisters or more than a few inches wide, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

    If you see signs of an infection, you should also talk to your doctor. These signs include:

    • Worsening redness or changes in skin color.
    • More swelling.
    • Blistering.
    • The burn becomes thicker.
    • Pus or green-colored drainage.
    • Fever.

    Should You Use Nair on Your Vag Again?

    If you followed the directions and used Nair properly, but still ended up with a burn on your vag, you should not use Nair again. This is an indication that your skin is too sensitive to the chemicals in it or you have an allergy to it.

    If you didn’t follow the directions, did you use too much cream, rub it in, or let it sit for longer than 6 minutes? Or did you apply Nair to skin that was slightly sunburned or irritated already?

    If so, this is possibly the reason you ended up with a burn. If you take better precautions, you can probably use Nair without a problem. This is also the case if you put Nair on the wrong body parts.

    Your problem may have been a Nair chemical burn on your vag lips. Nair can be applied to the outside of this area and the surrounding pubic area.

    If Nair ended up on the inside of your vag lips or on other areas covered with mucous membranes instead of skin, that is probably why it burned you. These tissues are too delicate for chemical depilatories.

    Where is the Vag?
    Your vag is actually inside of you. The bikini area includes the mons pubis and the outside of the lab majora.

    One other possibility is that you are just sensitive to Nair specifically, but not all depilatory creams. You may want to try out a different brand next time. I’ve heard some people with sensitivity to Nair have had good luck with Magic Razorless Cream Shave (click to read reviews on Amazon). It is intended for faces so is especially gentle for a depilatory cream.

    How to Prevent Chemical Burns from Nair

    If you want to give Nair another try (or you’re reading this before you’ve tried Nair), there are several steps to take to make sure you get the best results and no chemical burns.

    First, make sure you are using a product specifically made for the bikini area. These are usually gentler and will be less likely to cause burns.

    Next, you need to test it on a tiny spot. Put a dab on a small area, let it sit about 6-10 minutes, then rinse. Wait 24 hours to see if you have any reactions. You should do this every time that you use Nair because you can have a reaction randomly even if you’ve never had one in the past. Immune systems be crazy.

    If your test goes well, you can go ahead with Nairing your vag, but make sure that the hair is at least 2 millimeters for best results. And if the hair is super long, you may want to trim it or just shave or wax first and then start Nairing when it grows out a tiny bit. Really long hair takes more cream and you have to leave it on longer. That will cause more skin irritation.

    Apply a thick and even layer of Nair to your hair until it is covered, being careful to not rub it into the skin. Always avoid any broken or inflamed skin.

    Wash your hands well and watch the clock. After 6 minutes, use a cloth to wipe a tiny patch. If hair wipes off, it’s time to remove the rest with a damp cloth. Just wipe, don’t rub the cream in. Rinse the area really well with lukewarm water and pat dry.

    If your hair is not coming off yet, you can wait up to 10 minutes, but that’s the absolute maximum. If your hair doesn’t wipe off by then, Nair is just not for you.

    You may also be interested in watching this instructional video from Nair:

    Alternatives to Depilatory Creams for Pubic Hair Removal

    If trying Nair or another hair removal cream is a no go for you, don’t fret. Thanks to good ol’ capitalism and our culture that hates body hair, we have lots of solutions! 😉

    If you haven’t tried it yet, I recommend using an epilator.

    What is an epilator? It’s a device you can use at home that pulls multiple hairs out by the root at once. The results are similar to waxing. It can be a little painful, but it doesn’t mess with your skin so is a good option for those of us with sensitive skin.

    Other possibilities include shaving, waxing, sugaring, or just trimming with an electric trimmer. A less popular alternative is giving our norms about body hair the finger and letting your pubic hair grow wild like most people in the world do.

    Related Questions

    How long do burns from hair removal cream last?

    A burn from hair removal cream is a chemical burn. These typically last about 5-6 days. If the burn is deeper than a first degree burn, it will take longer. Infections can also extend the healing time.

    Does Nair last longer than shaving?

    Yes! Nair lasts longer than shaving, but unfortunately, not quite as long as other hair removal methods. Check out my article, How Long Does Nair Last? for more information.

    Want to remember this? Pin this to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it later!

  • What are the Different Types of Epilators?

    What are the Different Types of Epilators?

    At first, choosing an epilator seems like a pretty straightforward process. It just pulls hair out like tweezers, how complicated can it be? But a little further investigation and you’ll find that there are many different types of epilators on the market these days. So many, in fact, that choosing one to buy is overwhelming.

    In this article, I will break down the three main types of epilators for you, plus explain all the other major variations on the market. With this information, you should have a good foundation for deciding on your next epilator purchase.

    The Three Main Types of Epilators

    If we divide epilators based on how they grab hairs, then there are basically three types of epilators: spring, disc, and tweezer.

    Spring Type Epilators

    In 1986, an Israeli company called Epilady released the first epilator. This epilator was the spring type. Spring type epilators have metal coils that rotate and move in a fashion that squeezes the coils together and then apart so they can grab hairs, pull them out, then open up to release the hairs.

    Here’s a spring type Epilady epilator:

    The springs on these are easily worn out and need to be replaced often. They also have a higher chance of pinching the skin and typically take more passes to pull out all hairs.

    Spring epilators have mostly fallen out of popularity as newer designs have been created, although there are some manual spring type epilators still available to buy, like this one:

    Rotating Disc Type Epilators

    The spring type epilator was a commercial success, but the springs’ low durability made them less than ideal. In response to this, Remington used the epilator concept from Epilady, but changed up the design slightly, using an element made up of rubber discs instead of springs.

    These discs were stronger and lasted longer. The discs work in much the same way as springs, though, rotating and coming together to grab hairs and pull them out and then moving apart to release the hairs. But compared to the metal coils, these discs were stronger, lasted longer, and were less painful to use.

    This Lady Remington Smooth & Silky epilator commercial from 1989 shows how this type of epilator worked:

    Soon after, this design began using rotating metal plates, as seen in this Braun Silk-épil model from 1990:

    Tweezer Type Epilators

    After more years of refining the design of epilators, most companies are now selling tweezer type epilators. As the name suggests, they work like tweezers. These epilators have a head with multiple metal plates. The plates rotate continuously to move together like tweezers, pull out hairs, then release.

    This video demonstrates how the tweezer type epilator works:

    Other Types of Epilators

    Spring, disc, and tweezer are the three main types of epilator design. However, there are many other ways to categorize epilators. Let’s explore some of the other types of epilators.

    Corded vs Cordless Epilators

    You can find corded, cordless and dual epilators on the market.

    Corded epilators have an attached cord that must be plugged into the wall when using the epilator. In the past, almost all epilators were the corded type.

    Then there are cordless types that run on batteries. These have less power but are typically smaller and more convenient for traveling.

    Today, most epilators are a combo type similar to cell phones: they have a rechargeable battery and a removable charging cord. You plug the epilator in to charge it and then you can remove it from the cord to use the epilator with more ease. However, if you don’t have time to fully charge it before you need to use it, you can leave it plugged in and charging while you use it.

    Wet and Dry Epilators

    Corded epilators are always dry epilators. That means they can’t be used in water. For many epilator users, this isn’t a big deal.

    However, water makes epilator pain less intense, so many epilators are now designed to be waterproof. These “wet and dry” epilator models are the corded/cordless types so that you can charge the epilators, then remove the cord to use them in the shower or bath.

    Manual Epilators vs Electric Epilators

    All mechanical epilators are electric epilators. They won’t work without a power source. Most epilators fall into this category.

    But there are also manual epilators. These are super simple versions of the spring type epilators.

    They are basically just one long spring with handles on each end. You hold the handles and roll the spring against your skin. As you are rolling, the coils grab hairs and pull them out.

    These are really inexpensive and use no electricity, but they lack durability and just don’t work very well. Most people use them for peach fuzz or small areas of facial hair, like in this video:

    Body Epilators vs Leg Epilators

    You may notice that some epilator descriptions seem to make a distinction between epilators for legs and epilators for the body. This seems odd because the legs are usually considered part of the body, right?

    The main difference is that epilators designed for the legs usually can cover a larger area quickly and put less attention into reducing irritation and pain. Legs generally can take more pain and speed and don’t need to be handled as gently.

    Epilators designated for the body are typically designed for sensitive areas like underarms and the bikini area. They have a smaller head to epilate a small area at a time and may have lower speeds.

    Most epilators you will find are for both legs and body. They usually do this by having different caps to put on the heads. They also may have different speeds so you can use lower speeds on more sensitive areas.

    Facial Epilators

    There are very few epilators on the market specifically designed for facial hair only. These models are smaller and lighter, with narrow heads so you can gracefully navigate around the face to remove upper lip, chin, forehead, and eyebrow hair. They use less power, so are often a little slower and quieter, which provides a more gentle experience for the more delicate areas of your face.

    Besides epilators for face only, most of the top epilator models come with attachments so you can use them for the face. This can work fine for a lot of people, but larger epilators and harder to maneuver around the face.

    Women’s Epilators vs Men’s Epilators

    If you couldn’t tell from the feminine designs and the overabundance of purple, pink, and light blue, almost every model of epilator is designed for and marketed to women.

    But there are a few epilators out there marketed specifically to men. There are three features that usually distinguish these from the other epilators on the market:

    Men’s epilators are typically black or another “manly” color. Gotta love gender stereotypes, right?

    They are also usually designed to remove coarser hair as the body hair on most men is a bit thicker and coarser than women’s body hair.

    And men’s epilators usually come with a trimmer attachment.

    However, almost all the best epilators for women these days come with trimmer attachments and can remove coarse hairs, so men don’t necessarily need an epilator “for men,” unless they just can’t handle a “girly” color or design.

    Types of Epilator Brands

    There are dozens of companies that make epilators. However, the most popular and reputable brands currently selling in the United States include Braun, Panasonic, Emoji, Philips, Remington, and of course, Epilady.

    Most of these companies specialize in personal care products like epilators and trimmers.

    Final Takeways

    Epilators have a come a long way since they first hit the market in 1986. Whether you need one to just keep your brows groomed or you want to remove hair all over your body, there is probably a type of epilator that will meet your needs.

    Related Questions

    What’s the best beginner epilator?

    In my opinion, the overall best epilator is the Braun Silk-épil 9. However, if you are a beginner, I recommend the Emjoi Epi Slim (click to check it out on Amazon).

    This epilator is small and works best for the face, underarms, or bikini area. But it has a low price that gives you the chance to test out epilation without spending tons.

    After you’ve been epilating for a while and know it’s something you will be doing long-term, you can simply upgrade to a better epilator and use this as a back up or travel epilator.

    Have more questions about epilation? Check out the Epilator FAQ and Beginner’s Guide!

    Want to remember this? Pin this to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it later!

  • 19 Epilator Pros and Cons to Consider Before You Buy an Epilator

    19 Epilator Pros and Cons to Consider Before You Buy an Epilator

    After all my time using an epilator for my body and facial hair, I’ve had some pretty frustrating experiences like skin redness that I didn’t plan for and a totally obnoxious ingrown hair below my knee that I couldn’t get rid of for months. I’ve also found that the disadvantages are totally worth the benefits of epilation compared to other hair removal methods I’ve tried.

    Deciding to use an epilator is a personal decision that each person will have to make on their own, though. Learning about all the major and not so major pros and cons that I’ve experienced or heard about from other users can help you do your own cost-benefit analysis before you invest in a new epilator.

    So what are these epilator pros and cons?

    Epilator Pros

    Long-Lasting Results

    One of the best benefits of epilation is that it provides long-lasting smoothness. Epilation pulls hairs out by the root, so they take longer to grow back. You only need to epilate once or twice a month to enjoy silky-smooth skin, all day, every day.

    No In-Between Days

    If you wax, you know that you have to grow your hair out a while before waxing will work. Not so with epilation. Epilators are better at grabbing really short hairs that waxing can’t. In fact, some epilators can remove hairs as short as half a millimeter. In contrast, waxing usually requires hairs that are at least 2 millimeters long.

    Can Be Less Painful Than Waxing

    Compared to waxing, some epilators are more gentle and can cause less pain. This is because many epilators these days come with built-in mechanisms like massaging heads that trick your nervous system into feeling less pain. They can also be used in a hot bath or shower, which reduces pain and makes you feel more relaxed.

    Semi-Permanent Hair Removal

    Epilation is definitely a temporary hair removal solution, but there are some permanent benefits if you use them long-term. Roots can only grow back so many times, so hair growth reduces over time.

    In the meantime, hair grows back with finer tips than with shaving, so hairs are softer and less noticeable.

    All Over Body Hair Removal

    Epilators can be used all over the body, including the legs, arms, face, underarms, and bikini area. Most epilators come with multiple caps that you can put on the head so the epilator will work better on certain areas like the face or bikini area.

    Zero-Waste Hair Removal

    Epilators produce no waste, other than the hairs they remove. There’s no shaving creams, no supplies, no disposable parts to buy. They use a minimal amount of electricity as well. Essentially, they are one of the greenest methods of hair removal.

    One of the Cheapest Hair Removal Methods

    Once you buy an epilator, that’s it. There are no additional costs. A good quality epilator can be bought for around $100 and it should last at least one or two years. Many can last much longer than that.

    Compare this to one waxing session, which can cost $30 or more or the price of replacing razors every month and you can quickly see that epilation can save lots of money compared to other hair removal methods.

    Ideal Hair Removal for Extra Sensitive Skin

    If you have sensitive skin or skin that gets irritated easily, an epilator can be a blessing.

    Epilation doesn’t pull on the skin or rub against it like shaving. It doesn’t require chemicals like depilatory creams. It’s like using tweezers, so the skin is minimally affected. You’ll be a little red, but other than the possibility of ingrown hairs, epilation doesn’t have many drawbacks for sensitive skin.

    Since daily hair removal with water can dry out the skin, it’s also a great hair removal method if you have skin that dries out easily.

    Hair Removal for All Hair Types and Skin Colors

    Epilation won’t affect the color or tone of your skin, so no worries in that department.

    There are epilators designed for every hair type as well. Whether you have coarse hair, thin hair, dark hair, light hair, or anything in-between, epilation will remove your hair.

    Fast DIY At Home Hair Removal

    Owning an epilator means that you don’t have to go to the salon anymore for waxing. So no more awkward moments when you are half-naked with a stranger who inflicts pain on you.

    As I’ve heard one epilator user say, pain can be more tolerable when you are the one in control of it (like with an epilator). It’s more stressful when you are at the mercy of someone else (like with waxing.)

    Being able to remove hair at home is also less time-consuming. You don’t have to make time for a commute to your appointment. And you don’t have to work around someone else’s schedule. You can do it anytime you want.

    Convenient Hair Removal for Travel

    Epilation is a great hair removal method for traveling. e largest epilators on the market can fit into a purse or travel bag with ease. There are no messy creams or waxes and you don’t need water. If you have a cordless model, you can epilate pretty much anywhere, even out in the wilderness or an airport bathroom.

    Easy and Simple Way to Remove Hair

    Learning to shave or wax can be a little difficult. You can end up with cuts or just a huge mess of wax all over the place until you get more skilled with those methods.

    There’s no learning curve with epilation. Modern epilators are easy to use. Just one epilation session or two, and you will be a pro.

    Hair Removal for Busy People

    No more waking up early every morning to shave. No more rushing from work to the salon for waxing. No more sitting around with stinky creams on your legs, waiting for them to work.

    Essentially, epilation is a great option for busy, stressed-out people. It is the least time consuming hair removal method. Just turn on some Netflix and chill with your epilator for 30 minutes, twice a month. That can be the extent of your whole hair removal routine. How sweet is that!?

    Epilator Cons

    Epilator Pain

    This is one of the most dreaded aspects of epilators. Epilator pain sucks. It can be really horrible the first few sessions. Some people try epilating and decide they just can’t handle it. But for those who can get through the first few times, it does get better. Eventually, most epilator users don’t experience pain when epilating, just some mild discomfort.

    Ingrown Hair From Epilating

    Some people never get ingrown hairs, no matter what hair removal method they use. For those who are prone to ingrown hairs, epilating can be a huge downside.

    If you want to prevent ingrown hairs after epilation, I recommend exfoliating like crazy before and after you epilate and then at least once a week. This doesn’t work perfectly to stop ingrown hairs for everyone, but for most people, it does the trick.

    However, the good news is that epilation does make hairs finer and softer over the years, so it is possible that long-term epilator users can become less prone to ingrown hairs just from this side effect of epilating.

    Epilator Cost

    The upfront investment for epilation can be an obstacle for some people. It’s definatley more expensive than a bag of disposable razors and shaving cream.

    However, even the best epilators on the market can be bought for around $100 these days. If you are on a tight budget, some epilators are as low as $30.

    Epilator Charging Time and Epilator Batteries

    Cordless epilators are nice to have, but you have to keep on top of charging them before you use them. And some don’t have rechargeable batteries. With these, you have to worry about the additional cost of replacement batteries. If you don’t keep some extra batteries around, you may find yourself half-way through epilating a leg when your battery dies. Not an ideal situation.

    Skin Redness After Epilation

    After you epilate, your skin is going to be red. If you use an epilator, you do have to plan ahead a little due to this inconvenience. Epilating at night is an easy way to solve this, though. It gives your skin time to calm down before you have to be out in public again.

    Epilators and Sensitive Areas

    Although epilation can be done anywhere on the body, some people find it is just too painful to epilate certain areas, like the bikini area. A lot of people end up using an epilator for legs, but then turning to other methods for their underarms, bikini area, and face. This is obviously not an ideal situation but may work for you too.

    So Should You Use an Epilator?

    Choosing a hair removal method is a personal decision. There is no perfect hair removal method that works for everyone.

    There are many advantages and disadvantages of using an epilator for hair removal. Epilators are a cheap, eco-friendly, and time-saving way to have smooth, hairless skin for weeks at a time. However, these epilator benefits come with the cost of pain and possible ingrown hairs.

    Related Questions

    What is the best epilator for beginners?

    My pick for the best epilator overall is the Braun Silk-épil 9. However, for beginners, I typically recommend the Emjoi Epi Slim (click to check it out on Amazon). This is a small affordable epilator that works best for the face, underarms, or bikini area. The low price lets you test out epilation for yourself without spending a lot. Then if epilation works out well for you, you can eventually upgrade to a better epilator and use this as a back up or travel epilator.

    Have more questions about epilation? Check out the Epilator FAQ and Beginner’s Guide!

    Want to remember this? Pin this to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it later!

  • How to Make Epilating Less Painful

    How to Make Epilating Less Painful

    At my day job, I help people with both chronic and acute pain problems. This has required me to learn about the latest research on pain and the best approaches to preventing and treaing pain. And luckily for people who are concerned about epilator pain, this information is helpful for reducing pain when epilating too.

    So how to make epilating less painful? Pulling hair taut, using pain medication and numbing cream, and using ice after are three strategies to help with epilator pain, You can go a step further, though, and use knowledge from pain science to your advantage to trick your nervous system into feeling less pain right away and in the future.

    Let’s take a look at how the nervous system processes pain and the best steps to take to make your first epilation session as painless as possible. Then after those first few sessions, epilation should be a piece of cake for most people.

    Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.

    -Man in Black, The Princess Bride

    Do Epilators Hurt

    Pain Science 101

    Pain science has come a long way in just the last few years. We used to think that pain was exclusively caused by a painful stimulus, such as a hot fire, being sensed by our sensory nerves called nociceptors. These nerves send a message to the brain and then we experience pain.

    With this model of pain, the only way to stop the pain is to stop the stimulus that causes pain (the fire) or block the nerves that send pain signals to the brain with medications or injections.

    But that’s not the story of how pain really works. Ultimately, the brain decides if you feel pain or not, no matter what is going on in your body.

    These nociceptors nerves in the skin send messages really, really slowly compared to many other nerves in the body. Therefore, the brain recruits other sensory stimuli at the same time as well as memories of past experiences to quickly guess what is going on in the body. It is doing this 24/7.

    So your brain is constantly making judgments about whether something is dangerous or not, even before any nociceptor signals reach the brain. If your brain has determined, based on past experience, that everything is safe in a specific moment, then you will feel less pain once that nociceptor signal reaches the brain. It doesn’t matter what the painful stimulus is.

    Basically, the more advanced parts of the brain will take that pain signal information and decide that it isn’t that important, and so it won’t “allow” you to feel intense pain.

    If this sounds way too complicated or complete nonsense, I totally understand.

    Just keep in mind that making your nervous system feel relaxed and safe before, during, and after epilation is the best way to keep pain levels down and cut them even more over time.

    The Gate Control Theory of Pain

    Another concept in pain science is the gate control theory of pain. Essentially, the idea is that the brain can only process one type of sensation at once. While that sensation is processed, a metaphorical gate closes and no other sensory information is sent to the brain.

    To use this information when you are epilating, you need to create novel sensory input on your skin before and during epilation so that the epilation pain is blocked.

    How to Use an Epilator Without Pain

    There are several important steps you can take to make epilation less painful:

    Relax!

    From my little intro to pain science, you learned that making the nervous system feel safe is the best tool for preventing and reducing epilator pain. So how do you do that? Calm down before you start epilating.

    Do some yoga, meditation, breathwork, go for a walk, or just lay on your bed for ten minutes listening to calming music. Whatever works for you to calm down.

    Then set up a calming environment for your epilation session. Light some candles, play relaxing music, turn off your phone’s notifications, and make everything as comfortable as possible.

    Skip the Coffee

    Another way to make sure you are relaxed as possible is to avoid caffeine and other stimulants like ADHD medications for at least six hours before you epilate.

    Remember to Breath

    Not just deep breaths. Slow, deep breaths where you are exhaling more than inhaling. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system (aka “rest and digest” mode) and calms your whole body.

    Close the Gate

    Apply the gate control theory of pain to your epilation session. One way to do this is with water. Hot water hitting your skin from a shower or just soaking in a tub while you epilate can help immensely. Just make sure you have a waterproof epilator!

    Another option is to pinch your skin and epilate the hair on the top. Move your fingers along and keep pinching new areas to epilate.

    Beyond these two options, you can use topical creams that create new sensations in the skin. Anything with camphor, menthol, or peppermint, like Icy Hot or Biofreeze, is great for this.

    Wax or Shave First

    You want to make sure your hair isn’t very long when you first epilate. Wax or shave the area, then give it time to grow to about 1/8 inch long and then epilate.

    Pull Skin Taut

    Pull and stretch your skin as you epilate. This will make sure you don’t accidentally pinch loose skin, will make the process go faster, and will reduce overall pain.

    Wait for the Right Time of the Month

    If your menstrual cycle affects your pain levels, you will have more tolerance for pain a few days after your period ends. If it is right before your period is about to start, it is a really good idea to put off epilation since this is when more women are more vulnerable to pain.

    Drugs

    Lidocaine creams can be a lifesaver when epilating. These creams are available OTC with low concentrations of lidocaine, a pain relieving agent. Just slather on before you epilate.

    If all else fails, there are also OTC pain medications you can use for your first few times like Tylenol. Take one 30 to 45 minutes before you plan to start. It is not recommended that you use these forever, but they can make your first few sessions easier.

    Ice Your Skin

    After epilation, use ice or an ice pack for 10-20 minutes to reduce inflammation and pain.

    Is Pain-Free Epilation Possible?

    Using an epilator hurts. Sometimes really, really badly. Other times, not so much. If you are über sensitive to pain, it’s probably not the best hair removal method for you. Otherwise, using a mix of strategies can help reduce epilator pain. And the convenience of epilation can make that pain worth it.

    And the best news is that epilator pain diminishes over time for most people. When you get ready to epilate, remember the tips in this article. With a little time and practice, you’ll build your tolerance to epilator pain and be on your way to pain-free epilation.

    Related Questions

    Is there a pain-free epilator?

    There are no epilators that are completely pain free. However, if you are looking for the least painful epilator, choose a wet epilator with a massaging head like the Braun Silk-épil 9 (click to check it out on Amazon). A wet epilator lets you use water to help with pain while epilating and the massaging head also reduces pain. 

    Do hair removal creams hurt?

    Hair removal creams are not supposed to hurt, for the most part. If they do, you are probably using them incorrectly or are sensitive to the chemicals in them and should try another hair removal method. Read my article on the side effects of hair removal creams to learn how to reduce your chance of experiencing pain. 

    Have more questions about epilation? Check out the Epilator FAQ and Beginner’s Guide!

    Want to remember this? Pin this to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it later!