Last updated on October 26th, 2021 at 10:33 pm

Have you ever heard of an epilator? Do you know what it is? Do you know how to use an epilator?

An epilator is a method for hair removal. Similar to wax, an epilator removes hair from the root. Except instead of using wax strips, the device plucks individual hairs as you pass over parts of your body. 

Because you’re removing hairs from the root, your results are going to last longer than shaving. Results can last between 3-4 weeks! But because you’re removing hair right from the root, it’s going to hurt a bit. 

We’re friends, right? I’ll admit, I do like plucking hairs out of my legs occasionally when I find ingrowns. It’s oddly satisfying. So buying an epilator was intriguing to me. I was also starting to think more about summer and wearing my bathing suits, and cringed at the thought of my razor-bump bikini line. 

After I shave my legs, if I so much as think I could be cold, it’s goosebump city and I immediately have prickly legs. 

I did some research, and ended up buying the Braun Silk-epil 9 SensoSmart Epilator. I have this one because it can be used wet or dry, which is a big positive for me. 

Before I get into how to use an epilator, I’m going to tell you, this will hurt. I won’t sugarcoat it and say you won’t feel much, because you will. You might even hate me a little bit after you try it, but after you get through it the first time, it gets better. 

How to use it – 

A couple days before epilating for the first time, shave all the areas you plan on treating. You don’t want the hairs too short, because the epilator won’t catch them. But if your hair is too long it won’t grab as easily, and might hurt even more. 

The day of, prep your skin and exfoliate so there aren’t any ingrown hairs. 

If you want to take an Advil or Tylenol beforehand, or use numbing cream, do this about 20-30 minutes before your treatment. 

I like to epilate in the shower, so my pores are opened up, and the hair will come out easier. I’ve also turned up the hot water while epilating, so maybe I won’t know the difference between the hot water and the epilator. Ha! 

Pull your skin taught as you epilate, to help ensure the epilator can grab every last hair. 

Go against the direction of hair growth – and this changes on your legs so make sure you’re paying attention! 

I thought removing the hair on my thighs wasn’t painful at all until I realized what direction the hair was actually growing in. 

After using, make sure you clean out your epilator thoroughly with water and rubbing alcohol. Get all the hairs out of there! 

Things to know – 

The thicker and darker your hair is, the more it’s probably going to hurt when it comes out. For me, my underarm hair hurts more than my leg hair. 

When cleaning out your epilator, you’ll see how big the roots of some of your hairs are, and it’ll make sense why it stung a little bit. 

Places you can epilate – legs, underarms, arms, face if you’re super careful and using a special attachment, and your bikini line. Don’t go any farther than your bikini line! This isn’t meant to be like a full wax! 

Your skin isn’t going to be silky smooth after epilating, like it would be if you waxed or shaved. I’ve personally never gotten waxed (I’m a big wuss), so I don’t know the feeling of having super smooth legs for a long period of time. I’ve been pretty loyal to shaving, and the smooth feeling never lasts long. 

For me, I’m totally ok with my legs being a little bit picky if it means I don’t have to worry about wearing shorts or a dress without having time to shave. 

The first time is going to hurt, but it does get better. The more often you epilate, the less hairs you’ll have to pull out at any given time. I tend to epilate every couple days and/or when I take showers just to keep up my results. 

What I Love the Most

Personally, my favorite thing about using this epilator has to be my armpits. I have dark hair, and no matter what I did, the area would never really be smooth, or look nice. I know no one looks at my armpits, and 2021 me doesn’t really care like 2000’s me did. 

However, and this is going to sound so weird, but I’ve never been happier with how my underarms look. They’re smooth – there’s no stubble, no armpit 5 o’clock shadow, nothing. I’m thrilled, which means it really is the little things as you get older. 

How to Care for Your Skin 

After you epilate, you’re pulling out hairs from the root, and essentially creating teeny-tiny open pores. So be careful with what you put on after you epilate. 

Don’t use anything with fragrance or anything that isn’t non-comedogenic. I try to avoid things like deodorant the day after a big epilation session on my under arms. 

If you’re more susceptible to infection, try using witch hazel on the epilated areas daily to keep them clean. 

Your skin may have a reaction after epilating, which is normal and will subside. Reactions can range from red bumps, to some bleeding, or a histamine reaction like hives. 

Numbing Cream

Another option to try to reduce pain from epilation is to try numbing cream. You can find them on Amazon for not a lot of money, like Ebanel topical numbing cream. 

Apply a generous amount to the areas you plan on epilating, and wait at least 20 minutes for it to be effective. 

You will still feel some pain, but depending on how well your body reacts to the lidocaine, it should be less pain than you’d feel without it! 

Now that you know how to use an epilator, are you going to give it a try?

Now that you’ve got smooth legs, make sure you put on some shorts and show them off!

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