An epilator is different from shaving. It’s more like waxing, because the hair is uprooted – not just cut off. This gives you more time to maintain stubble-free skin. But it differs from waxing in that it doesn’t remove skin cells the way waxing does.
With the market flooded with so many epilators, deciding which one to buy can be tricky. Here are some questions to ask yourself before making a purchase
How many tweezers does it come with?
Epilators use rotating tweezers to pull out hairs by the roots. The more tweezers you have, the faster the epilator will work. You can find epilators with as few as 20 tweezers or as many as 72 tweezers.
While tweezer epilators are popular, there are other types, such as those that use springs and those that use rotating discs.
What attachments does it come with?
Depending on the model you choose, you will see many different attachment possibilities. Some epilators come with a number of attachments such as an exfoliating brush, massage brush, cleansing brush, trimmer and razor head.
Having trimming and shaving options can make your epilator more versatile. However, if you are not the type of person who will use many attachments, then it is best not to buy a model without them as you may pay extra for them. It doesn’t make sense to pay for something you don’t think you will use.
How many speeds does it have?
Having more than one speed is important because epilators can be very painful. You’re uprooting hair – it’s never painless. But the speed of completion can change the amount of pain you feel.
If you can tolerate the pain, then it’s good to have a higher speed option because it makes the job faster. Women with sensitive skin or women who remove hair in sensitive areas may need a lower speed so that they can tolerate it better. That’s why it’s important to have a two-speed or even three-speed model.
How is it powered?
This is important because it determines where you can use the epilator and for how long. As far as power is concerned, epilators come in three general types: corded, rechargeable or battery powered.
If you don’t want another device cluttering up your counter, you may want to skip the rechargeable devices. But remember, it’s good to have it because it offers you some portability, as long as you have enough responsibility to keep it fully charged at all times. One downside to rechargeable devices is that the charge may run out before you are done waxing. Look for a device that offers at least 40 to 50 minutes of performance per charge so that you don’t have to wait for it to recharge to get the job done.
Corded devices are great because you can do all the work at once because you won’t run out of power. But they limit your mobility and you won’t be able to use them in the shower.
Battery-powered devices can be expensive to run unless you use rechargeable batteries.
Can I use them in water?
Some people prefer to use epilators in the shower. For them, it feels more relaxing than using it on dry hair and skin because the hot water helps open the pores, which reduces discomfort. It’s entirely a matter of preference, but if you’re not familiar with using an epilator, you don’t yet know which method you prefer.
For this reason, it may be a good idea to purchase a wet and dry epilator, rather than just one that can only be used on dry hair and skin. At least this way you have the option to do it either way and you can decide from there which method you prefer.
Do you want to use it on your face?
If you want to remove peach fuzz from your face, you can use any epilator to do so. But you will have varying degrees of success. Since facial hair is usually shorter and finer than the hair you typically remove elsewhere, you need an epilator that can catch very short hairs.
Some epilators can remove up to four times shorter hairs than those removed with waxing. In addition, some epilators are not as suitable for removing facial hair as others. Those with attachments specifically designed to remove facial hair will have better luck. These attachments are better suited for hard-to-reach areas and smaller curved areas of the face.
