The electric epilator, also known as an epilator, is a small device that allows you to perform hair removal in a similar way to waxing, pulling the hair from the root. This way, it is possible to obtain longer-lasting hair removal in a short time and without the need to always buy wax.
To remove hair, the electric epilator usually has small discs or springs that work like electric tweezers, pulling the hair from the root, and can be used on almost all parts of the body, such as the face, arms, legs, bikini area, back and belly, for example.
There are several types of electric epilators, which vary in price according to the brand, the type of method they use to remove hair and the accessories they come with, so choosing the best epilator usually varies from person to person. However, epilators that work with discs seem to cause the least discomfort.
Electric epilator options
Some of the most commonly used electric epilators include:
- Philips Satinelle;
- Braun Silk-Epil;
- Panasonic Wet & Dry;
- Philco Comfort.
Some of these epilators have greater power and, therefore, may be better for shaving for men, as the hair tends to be thicker and more difficult to remove. Generally, the more power and clamps the device has, the more expensive it will be.
How to do waxing correctly
To obtain smooth, smooth and long-lasting hair removal with an electric epilator, you must follow a few steps:
1. Shaving 3 days beforehand
Very long hair, in addition to causing more pain when waxing, can make it difficult for some electric epilators to work, reducing their effectiveness. Therefore, a good tip is to pass the razor over the area to be shaved about 3 to 4 days beforehand, so that the hair is shorter when using the epilator. The ideal length for waxing is approximately 3 to 5 mm.
See how to shave without causing ingrown hairs.
2. Exfoliate your skin 1 to 2 days beforehand
Exfoliation is one of the best methods to prevent ingrown hairs, as it helps to remove dead skin cells that accumulate, allowing the hair to pass through the pores.
Therefore, it is recommended to shave the area to be waxed 1 to 2 days before waxing, using a body scrub or a bath sponge, for example. Check out how to make 4 types of homemade body scrub.
After waxing, exfoliation can be done every 2 or 3 days to ensure that the skin remains smooth and free of ingrown hairs.
3. Start with a lower speed
Most electric epilators have at least 2 operating speeds. The ideal is to start with the lowest speed and then gradually increase it, as this allows you to test the limits of discomfort caused by the epilator and also gets your skin used to it, reducing pain over time.
4. Hold the epilator at 90º
For all hair to be removed successfully, the epilator must be held at a 90º angle to the skin. This way, it is possible to ensure that the tweezers are able to grasp the hair well, removing even the smallest hairs, and ensuring smoother skin.
Furthermore, it is not necessary to apply too much pressure against the skin, as in addition to causing more skin irritation, it can also prevent the moving parts of the device from functioning correctly, which ends up impairing its functioning.
5. Shave in the opposite direction of the hair
Unlike shaving, where hair removal must be done in the direction of hair growth to avoid ingrown hairs, an electric epilator must be used in the opposite direction. This ensures that the hair does not stick to the skin, making it more easily grabbed by the epilator. A good option is to make circular movements on the skin, ensuring that you can even remove hair that grows in different directions.
6. Avoid being in a hurry
Using an electric epilator too quickly on your skin can end up breaking the hair, rather than removing it from the root. Furthermore, if you use them quickly, the epilator may not be able to capture all the hairs, meaning you will have to pass the device several times over the same area to obtain the desired hair removal.
7. Apply a soothing cream to your skin
After waxing, and before cleaning the epilator, you should apply a soothing cream to your skin, with aloe vera, for example, to relieve irritation and reduce the discomfort caused by the process. However, you should avoid using moisturizing creams as they can clog pores and increase the risk of ingrown hairs. The moisturizing cream should only be used 12 to 24 hours later.
How to clean the electric epilator
The electric epilator cleaning process may vary depending on the brand and model, however, in most cases you should:
- Remove the electric epilator head;
- Use a small brush on the head and epilator to remove loose hair;
- Wash the epilator head with running water;
- Dry the epilator head with a towel and then leave to air dry;
- Apply a piece of cotton wool with alcohol to the tweezers to eliminate any type of bacteria.
Although this step-by-step procedure can be done with almost all electric epilators, it is best to always read the device’s instruction manual and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
