Epilator: How To Use, Benefits, Risks, And Different Hair Types

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HealthlineSubscribeIs an Epilator the Hair Remover You’ve Been Looking For?

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Valencia Higuera — Updated on April 14, 2023

How to use
Benefits
Risks
Facial hair
Thick hair
What to avoid
Takeaway

Epilation can make your skin feel smoother for up to a month, but it can be painful. With practice, though, the discomfort can lessen.

Even though there are a variety of hair removal techniques, you’ll learn through experience that some methods are better than others. Tweezing, plucking, waxing, and shaving can all eliminate unwanted hair, but the results can be less than desired.

If you’re looking for something different, an epilator might be the hair removal method you’ve been searching for. This electrical device is designed to remove hair directly from the roots.

Options include a dry epilator, which can be used without water, and a wet epilator, which provides the convenience of removing hair while in the bath or shower.

Removing hair from the root may sound painful. And yes, some people experience a measure of discomfort with epilation, especially the first time.

Some areas of your body may be more sensitive than others. The more you epilate, however, the less pain you may experience.

Read on to learn how epilators work and the benefits of this method.

How do you use an epilator?

An epilator works similar to waxing, in that it removes hair by the roots. But an epilator doesn’t use wax. Instead, it plucks away hair as you move the device over different parts of your body.

For the best results, exfoliate your skin before using an epilator. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and can prevent ingrown hairs.

Begin by positioning the epilator at a 90-degree angle to your skin. Don’t press the device against your skin. Rather, hold it loosely against your skin. Pull your skin taut and then slowly move the epilator in the direction of hair growth.

If you move the epilator opposite the direction of hair growth, you’ll cut the hair at the skin, but you won’t remove it from the root.

Other tips for using an epilator

Use an epilator at night. Some people experience redness and skin irritation after removing hair. Redness should go away after a couple of hours.
Some epilators have different speed settings. Start on a low setting and then gradually increase the speed to see what you can tolerate.
Be patient. For the best results, you’ll need to move the device slowly across your body, so take your time. If you move too quickly, you could leave hairs behind.
Moisturize your skin after using an epilator to reduce irritation.
Don’t forget to clean your epilator after each use to reduce the risk of a skin infection. Remove any lingering hair, and use alcohol to clean the device.

Benefits of this type of hair removal

Pain is a drawback of epilation. But if you’re able to deal with discomfort, the results may outweigh this negative.

Smoother skin longer

One benefit of using an epilator is that you’ll get smoother skin, and the results may last longer than most other hair removal methods, like shaving, depilatory creams, or tweezing.

Results vary from person to person, but you can expect smooth skin for up to 4 weeks. This is because it takes longer for hair to regrow when it’s removed from the roots.

Removing very short hair

Epilation might also be an option if you want to remove shorter hair. Waxing isn’t always effective on short hair because the wax can press the hair against the skin. As a result, the hair doesn’t lift from the roots when you remove the wax paper.

Less hair over time

Another benefit is that epilation may result in less body hair over time. With this method, hair grows back softer and finer. Hair may even regrow at a slower rate. The longer you epilate, the less hair you’ll notice on certain parts of your body.

Epilators can be used on hair from different areas of your body, including arms, legs, pubic area, and even your face.

Are there any risks?

Using an epilator is a generally safe way to remove unwanted hair. It can be uncomfortable or painful, especially at first.

According to a popular epilation blog DenisaPicks, if you go too fast or move the device against the direction of hair growth, you may break the hair rather than pull it out from the root. These shorter, broken hairs may become ingrown or infected.

How to choose the best epilator for facial hair

While not all epilators are recommended for facial hair, there are epilators made especially for soft or fine facial hairs.

To remove hair from this area, look for devices that state you can safely use them on your face. Also test out the epilator in a small area first to see how your skin reacts.

How to choose the best epilator for thick hair

You can also use an epilator to remove coarser hair such as heavy facial hair and bikini or pubic hair. These epilators have more tweezer heads and stronger motors to help manage thicker hair.

If you use an epilator for pubic hair, test out a small area first to be sure it doesn’t irritate your skin or cause a rash. In this area, you should only use oils or moisturizers that don’t have any fragrances.

What to avoid and look for when buying an epilator

In general, there are three types of epilators:

Electric spring epilators: which use a spring coil that twists to grab hair. Avoid very old models that are less durable than newer models. These may not last as long.
Rotating disc epilators: which use multiple smaller springs that rotate. These attempt to catch stray hairs from multiple directions. Watch out for lower quality versions of these. They have more moving parts, which have the potential to break.
Tweezer-style epilators: which use tiny tweezer-like plates to grab the hair. New epilator models often have this style.

When you’re considering which epilator to buy and which to avoid, these factors may come into play:

the number of tweezers or springs
speed settings
various attachments
built-in lighting
whether they work dry or wet
noise levels
corded versus cordless models

You’ll want to choose an epilator that matches your preferred use. For instance, if you want to use it in the shower, make sure you get one that is water-safe.

Aim to match the features with your needs and look at reviews to find models that aren’t as likely to cause issues. Widely available brands include Philips, Braun, Panasonic, Conair, Epilady, Panasonic, and Remington.

Takeaway

Epilation can leave behind smoother skin, with results lasting up to 4 weeks. But while the results are impressive, this hair removal method isn’t without some pain.

The more you use an epilator and improve your technique, however, the less discomfort you may feel. Epilation might even become your favorite hair removal technique.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Hair removal. (2016).https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/hair-removal.html
Lanzalaco A, et al. (2015). A comparative clinical study of different hair removal procedures and their impact on axillary odor reduction in men.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jocd.12197

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Valencia Higuera — Updated on April 14, 2023

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