So, you’ve heard about the benefits of epilating, but you’re a little bit squeamish when it comes to pain?
Trust me, we’ve all been there.
That’s why I decided to put together this beginner friendly guide on how to reduce epilator pain.
So, read on for my best tips and you’ll be an epilation expert in no time!
1. Exfoliate!
Just like with waxing, exfoliating the skin the day before is a must. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells from the skin and reduces the likelihood of ingrown hairs.
To exfoliate, try a loofah or use a body scrub in the shower.
2. Only epilate on short hair
Epilation works best when the hairs are short, so make sure to trim your hairs down to 1/8 inch or wait for two days of regrowth after shaving. Long hairs tend to lie flat against the skin, whereas short hairs stand up straight, making them easier for the tweezers to grab. The shorter the hair, the less pain you will experience.
3. Take a warm shower first
Not only will taking a nice hot shower leave you feeling relaxed, the heat will open up your pores, making the hair easier to remove. The easier the hair is to remove, the more comfortable your epilation process will be.
4. Use a wet and dry epilator
If you have an epilator that can be used wet, even better! Take it into the bathroom with you and lounge in the tub as you use it. Epilating in the bath or shower might take a little bit longer but I’ve found it to be one of the best ways of reducing pain.
5. Keep the skin taut
When epilating it’s important to keep the skin taut at all times. Use your free hand to stretch out the skin so that the area is nice and tight. This gives the tweezers easy access to the hairs and will protect you from any accidental pinches. This tip is especially important for sensitive areas like the underarms and bikini line, where the skin is not completely flat.
6. Start on the lowest setting
Most epilators come with two-speed settings, a low speed and a high speed. Generally, the higher setting is better for larger areas like the legs and the lower setting is recommended for sensitive areas like the underarms and bikini line. As a beginner, it’s best to start on the lower setting to give your body time to get used to the plucking sensation. Once you get more comfortable, move up to the higher speed.
7. Start with your lower legs
When epilating, always start with your lower legs. This area tends to be less sensitive than other areas and won’t be as painful. After a few minutes your body will get used to the sensation, making it easier to tackle more sensitive areas like around the knee and ankles.
8. Distract yourself
This one is pretty simple: distract yourself! Put on some of your favorite music, or even a movie or tv show you’ve been dying to watch. That way, as you epilate, your focus is drawn away from the pain. Sometimes it feels like our pain is amplified simply because we’re focusing too much on it! Pay attention to something else, and pretty soon, you’ll get used to the process.
9. Consider a painkiller
You might find it beneficial to take an Advil or some kind of painkiller before you begin epilating. This will certainly take the edge off, but I’d advise only doing this the first time or two. It shouldn’t become a habit, of course. Over time, the more you use your epilator, you will grow accustomed to the process. Just like plucking your eyebrows, once epilation becomes routine, you won’t notice the pain as much.
10. It’s OK to take breaks
Take your time, go slow and remember it’s ok to take a break.
There will most likely be a bit of pain involved until you’re used to epilation. Of course, you should remember that a little pain is worth it when the hair won’t grow back for up to 2-4 weeks.
But, if the pain gets too bad, don’t just grin and bear it. Take a break, and try again in 24 hours. After a day or two, you might feel better prepared to handle the pain.
11. Epilate every other day
Epilating regularly is not only less painful, it helps to keep your skin feeling smooth and stubble free. For beginners, Marie from Epilator Central recommends epilating every other day for the first two weeks to help build up your body’s tolerance to pain. This also helps to catch any stray hairs that you’ve missed, as well as removing any new hairs that are growing in a different cycle. After the first two weeks, Marie recommends epilating once a week, depending on your hair growth. As you continue to epilate you’ll find that the hair regrowth will become softer and less dense.
Finally, you’re ready to epilate! Make sure you’ve chosen a good quality epilator and remember to relax. Pretty soon you’ll be an epilation expert in no time!