How do I Choose an Epilator?

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For the last few years, epilators are the beauty tools that have created quite a buzz among people. However, with various types of epilators available in the market, shopping for one can be a difficult job!

Therefore, we have come to your aid! In this article, we are going to tell you about the different types of epilators as well as how to shop for the right epilator for yourself. Now let’s begin without any further delay!

 

What Are Epilators?

What Are Epilators

Epilators are electrical devices that are designed to remove body hair. They work by plucking off the hair from the roots while being run all over the skin.

Moreover, epilators are similar to electrical shavers and comprise a rotating head of tweezers. These tweezers uproot the hair when you run the device across your skin. They can be used on arms, legs, and other sensitive areas of the body, depending on your pain threshold.

Using an epilator will not only make your skin smoother but will also slow down your hair growth. Also, unlike waxing, you can even remove the shorter body hair with an epilator. Moreover, as compared to other hair removal methods, epilators are quite convenient and affordable.

 

Types Of Epilators

Types of Epilator

Now that you have an understanding of epilators, let’s also tell you about their types. Epilators are of 3 main types:

 

1. Electric Spring Epilators

Electric spring epilators are the earliest type of epilators. They consist of metal coils that rotate together to pluck off the hairs from the body. However, these springs tend to wear out easily and thus, need to be replaced frequently, making spring epilators less popular among people. Spring epilators work best to remove facial hair.

 

2. Rotating Disc Epilators

These types of epilators include various smaller revolving springs that can trap hairs from different directions. Moreover, they contain rubber discs on their head which move to uproot the hair from the skin.

 

3. Tweezer-Type Epilators

Tweezer-type epilators are the advanced version of rotating disc epilators. They contain small metallic plates that resemble a tweezer. These tweezers trap the stray hair and pluck them off from the body. They are the most advanced type of epilators and their effectiveness depends on the number of tweezers they contain.

 

 How To Shop For An Epilator

Now that you know how an epilator works as well as its different types, let’s also tell you how to pick the right epilator for yourself. So here’s a list of 7 things that you need to consider while shopping for one:

 

 1. The Number Of Tweezers

While shopping for a tweezer-type epilator, it is crucial to look at the no. of tweezers it contains. Because an epilator’s efficiency improves as the number of tweezers increases. In general, a tweezer epilator can have anything from 3-70 tweezers.

In addition, an epilator with fewer tweezers can cover more a larger area of the skin and thus, takes less time to pluck off the hair. However, if you want to remove your facial hair, then we suggest you opt for an epilator with less no. of tweezers.

 

2. Speed Settings

Another important thing to consider when shopping for an epilator is the speed setting. The speed required to pluck off the hair depends on the skin of different body parts. Such as, the skin of arms and legs is stiff and thus, requires a high speed for epilating. On the other hand, low to moderate speed works best for the sensitive parts of the body.

Nowadays, many epilators come with different speed settings for the convenience of the users. Therefore, if you need an all-in-one epilator, then look for the one that has the feature of different speed settings.

Author’s Note: If your epilator has the option of different speed settings, we recommend you begin with a low-speed setting. Then, slowly increase the speed to determine your pain threshold.

 

3. Wet Or Dry

An epilator can either be a dry epilator or a wet epilator. While you can use a dry epilator only on dry skin, a wet epilator works both on wet as well as dry skin. Moreover, you need to charge your dry epilator before using it because it can’t be plugged in during your hair removal session.

A wet epilator is relatively more expensive than a dry epilator. One of its greatest benefits is that you can use it even during a shower or in a bathtub since removing hair from wet skin is both easier as well as less painful. In addition, wet epilators are ideal for sensitive skin types. They also reduce any redness, irritation, and bumps on your skin.

 

4. Built-in Lighting

Another important thing you need to keep in mind while selecting an epilator is whether it has a built-in lighting feature. While epilating, this light assists you in detecting the small, fine hairs that need to be plucked off from your skin.

 

5. Noise Levels

The noise level is also an important feature that you should consider while shopping for an epilator. Some epilators are very noisy and it can be an annoying experience to use them, especially if you have young children or patients at your home.

 

6. Corded/Cordless

While wet epilators are usually cordless since they are used underwater/on wet skin, dry epilators are both corded or cordless.

The benefit of using a cordless epilator is that you can freely move it across your body.  However, a corded epilator can’t be used freely and isn’t adaptable to different areas of the body. Therefore, it is important to check if the epilator is corded or cordless before purchasing it.

Also, if your epilator is battery-operated, then you need to consider its battery life. Generally, epilators come with a battery life of around 40-60 minutes before they need to be charged again.

 

7. Advanced Features/Attachments

Nowadays, many epilators come with advanced features/attachments for precise and easy hair removal. Some of them include:

 

  • Epilator Cap – An epilator cap helps in reducing the pain while plucking off the hair.
  • Washable Heads – Some epilators come with detachable heads so that it becomes easier to wash them. Washing your epilator is important to reduce the risk of infections.
  • Cleaning Brush – These are little brushes that come with epilators and are used to clean hairs off the epilator’s head after you’ve removed your hair.

Author’s Note: Ensure that clean your epilator after using it to minimize the risk of getting infected.

  • Cover Cap – It is a cap that is used to cover the head of the epilator when not in use. Covering your epilator will not only keep it clean but also prevent the risk of getting any cuts on the skin. If you have small children, we advise you always keep your epilator covered!
  • Charging Stand – If your epilator needs to be charged often, then we recommend you to go for one that comes with a charging stand for your convenience.
  • Broad Epilator Head – An epilator with a broader head can cover even the larger areas of the body and give you a faster and easier hair removal experience.
  • Hypoallergenic Ceramic Discs – If you have a sensitive skin type or are allergic to metal, look for an epilator that has a ceramic disc. This will ensure that you pluck off your hair without getting infected.

 

FAQs

Is epilating more painful than waxing?

Although both waxing and epilating are painful, the pain decreases over time with using an epilator. However, if you have a sensitive skin type, then using an epilator can be a painful experience for you.

 

Can epilator cause ingrown hair?

If you don’t know how to use an epilator properly, it can cause ingrown hair. This happens because instead of being uprooted, the hair breaks down from the surface of the skin.

 

How many times can I use an epilator?

We recommend you epilate once every 14 days if you’re a beginner. The reason behind this is that it increases your pain threshold (since shorter hair gives less pain) and it slows down your hair growth Therefore, in the future, epilating just once a month would suffice.

 

How do I prepare my skin for epilating?

We suggest you exfoliate your skin before using an epilator. This will help to release ingrown hairs and remove any dead skin cells. Also, it is better to epilate after having a shower since epilating damp skin is easier and less painful than epilating dry skin.

 

Conclusion

Today, an epilator is undoubtedly one of the most popular hair removal tools owing to its affordability, effectiveness, and, convenience, etc. It comes in various types and with different features.

By now, we hope you know how to choose the best epilator for yourself. So it’s time to flaunt that buttery smooth, hairless skin!

Also, we would love to hear about your experience with shopping for an epilator! If you have any more queries, please don’t hesitate to mention them in the comments section below. We will get back to you as soon as possible!

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