Epilating is a method of hair removal that extracts hair from the root, similar to waxing, offering longer-lasting results than shaving, typically lasting between three to four weeks. Philips epilators and lady shavers can be used on wet or dry skin to remove hair from areas like the legs, arms, armpits, and bikini line. This article will explore the advantages of epilating before or after a shower, providing tips for optimal results and addressing common concerns.
Proper preparation is crucial for successful epilation. It is important to check the appliance head to ensure it is not dirty, damaged, or worn out. A faulty appliance head will cause the product’s performance to decline, and if damaged, it needs to be replaced immediately.
Exfoliating your skin a day or two before epilating is highly recommended. This process removes dead skin cells around the hair follicles, making hair removal easier and reducing the likelihood of ingrown hairs. Alicia Ramos, a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Smoothe Denver in Denver, Colorado, emphasizes the importance of exfoliating before epilating. You can exfoliate your skin in the shower with a rough cleanser to get all the ends of the hairs away from the skin and remove any excess dead skin cells that might interfere with the process.
Epilators work best when hairs are just a few millimeters long. If hairs are too long, they can get tangled in the epilator; if they're too short, the spinning heads won't be able to grab them effectively. A couple of days before epilating for the first time, shave all the areas you plan on treating.
Many epilators, including some Philips models, are showerproof, offering flexibility in your hair removal routine. Showerproof appliances provide a comfortable result in or out of the shower. Such products are water-resistant, so they can also be used and rinsed with water.
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Dry epilation is recommended for most products because wet hair tends to stick more to the skin. Ensure your skin is clean and completely dry before using the appliance. Dry skin helps the epilator grasp onto the hairs faster and pull them out more efficiently. If you're looking for a convenient or on-the-go session, try using it on dry skin.
For a comfortable feeling and smooth movements, you may use the appliance on wet skin. Make sure your skin is completely wet with water. During wet use, rinse the head regularly to remove hairs and ensure it continues to glide smoothly over your skin. Do consider wet hairs tend to stick more to the skin, performance may be better on dry skin.
Epilating in the shower can be advantageous. A hot shower or bath just beforehand loosens the hair follicles and opens the pores, making it much easier to remove the hairs. If you’re new to epilating, it’s a good idea to epilate in the bath or the shower. If you’re epilating wet, be sure that your epilator is waterproof. In general, cordless epilators are waterproof while ones with cords are not.
To achieve the best results, consider these general tips:
Epilating can be painful, especially the first time. The likelihood is that for those who have never tried epilating, the prospect of individually tweezing out every hair on your body sends shivers down your spine. However, the pain reduces each time as your body gets much more used to it. To minimize discomfort, consider taking paracetamol about half an hour before you epilate. Another option to try to reduce pain from epilation is to try numbing cream. Many people like to epilate at night. Your legs will be red and a little swollen when you're finished. It's best not to epilate the day you have a big event or date, unless you're planning to wear tights or pants. This is optional, but many find that taking an over the counter painkiller helps make epilating less painful. Try using pain killers the first few times you epilate.
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When you're first starting out, use the low setting so you can get used to the feeling of epilating. This is the least sensitive area on your leg, so it's a good place to start so you can get used to the feeling of epilating. Pass it lightly over your skin in a straight line. The spinning heads will grasp your hairs and pull them out. You will definitely feel a pinch as the epilator grabs your hairs and pulls them out. For your legs, this probably means you’ll be moving the epilator upwards the whole time. Start by approaching little bits at a time, and test it out on the least sensitive parts of the skin to begin with.
After epilating, gently pat your skin dry and apply a cooling antiseptic cream to calm and moisturize the skin. You can use a moisturizer for this too, but it is often best to use non-perfumed products to ensure the least irritation. It is perfectly normal to have redness and some little bumps after epilating, but this calms down by the next day.
Epilating doesn’t prevent ingrown hairs, but you are much less likely to get them than you are if you shave. It usually depends on your hair type and how susceptible you are to ingrowns. I am very susceptible to them and I have found that epilating drastically reduced the amount I got compared to shaving. Let your skin rest for 1 to 2 days, then exfoliate your legs in the shower.
One of the main benefits of epilating is that it can make hair thinner over time. For individuals with thick, dark hair, the epilator has made it so much thinner over time, and it grows back far more slowly.
You can use an epilator on various body parts, including the legs, underarms, arms, and face (with a special attachment and caution). The epilator often comes with lots of different attachments that make it easy to use on more sensitive, or smaller parts of the body.
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When it comes to shaving, epilating is often considered superior. The results last longer, and it is far less irritating for the skin.
For waxing, both methods are similar in terms of effectiveness, however epilating has the edge when it comes to ease of use, and the ability to use it whenever you like, rather than waiting for all the hair to grow out before using it. Epilating is also considered better than waxing at getting short hairs.
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