Epilators are one of a long list of hair removal methods, and one that’s been commonly used by many people for a very long time. However, other than the fact that they do work at removing hair, most people who use them don’t have a lot of kind things to say about the devices. Much of this is due to the method by which epilators work, so let’s explore the mechanics of these hair removal devices.
How Does an Epilator Work?
Epilators are a rather unique hair removal invention, in that they are an entirely mechanical device. Unlike other methods like shaving or waxing that require the application of a product directly on the skin, most epilators are used on dry, clean skin without any additional products needed. There are also some models of epilator that can be used on wet skin for those who prefer to use them in the shower.
The epilator itself is a handheld device that looks somewhat visually similar to an electric razor. Except, instead of cutting or trimming the hair at the surface of the skin, the head of an epilator consists of a series of tiny rotating clamps that grab hold of each individual hair and yank the entire hair out, root and all. In the simplest of terms, an epilator is an automatic tweezing machine. Many people start to use an epilator because they just get sick of shaving and waxing and don’t want to have to deal with the mess associated with them anymore.
On the other side of the spectrum, laser hair removal treatments are not without some limitations. Not everyone is a viable candidate for laser hair removal due to the fact that the procedure requires a significant contrast between the skin tone and hair tone in order to be most effective. Because of these factors, some people may opt for an epilator as a longer-lasting hair removal solution.
There is another long-term hair removal option that epilator users may not be aware of. It’s known as intense pulsed light (IPL) technology, and it could very well be the hair removal method that epilator users have been waiting for.
Before we get to that, let’s take a look at some of the most common issues and complaints that are frequently cited by epilator users, and why they occur.
10 Reasons to Ditch Your Epilator
1 - Pain
You know how it feels to tweeze out a single hair, right? Well, that’s what an epilator does, many times over, in rapid succession. It’s no wonder that the primary issue many users have with the devices is that they just plain hurt, especially when used on areas of skin that can be more sensitive. There are some ways to minimize the pain and discomfort of the process, such as showering beforehand or using a special cream, but they won’t relieve it entirely.
2 - Noisy Motors
Another common complaint that many users have about epilators is the noise of the motors within the device as it operates. Of course, this varies across different models from different manufacturers, with some being louder than others. If you’re not a fan of constant buzzing, it may prove to be an annoyance.
3 - Regrowth & Missed Hairs
One of the limitations of an epilator is that they cannot grab and pull on very fine or small hairs, which means that you won’t get 100% removal in a single treatment. Because of this, many users are surprised at how soon they’ll need to use the device again as those missed hairs continue to grow and become more visible. In addition, some hairs may end up being broken off when pulled instead of removed entirely, resulting in a blunt tip on the end of the hair, and stubble similar to shaving as the hair regrows.
4 - Frequent Treatments
Because of missed hairs and broken hairs growing back as stubble, many users end up treating the areas at a far more frequent rate than they’d expected. Since the goal of any hair removal treatment method is to have smooth, hair-free skin for as long as possible, it’s easy to see why this would be disappointing.
5 - Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs can be unsightly and very uncomfortable, and can occur after using an epilator if the hair becomes broken instead of being removed entirely down to the root. Ingrown hairs are caused by a broken off hair that is growing back underneath the skin, instead of out of the top gap of the follicle. This is most prevalent with coarser or curlier hairs, and can develop in to a painful sore if not treated.
6 – Swelling
For people with more sensitive skin, or when used on areas such as underarms or the bikini zone, the process of epilation can cause swelling. Rapid extraction of multiple hairs in such a short time causes an increase in blood flow to the area, resulting in swelling and redness.
7 – Irritation
In addition to experiencing swelling, many people with sensitive skin also notice irritation after using an epilator. While this will naturally subside as the treated area recovers, it can nevertheless be uncomfortable. If irritation occurs, it’s common for a soothing lotion or cream to be used to help relieve the effects.
8 – Bumps
Another common side effect that you may experience from epilation is temporary bumps on the skin where each hair was extracted from the follicle, similar to the appearance of goosebumps when we get cold. This is simply the result of the force of pulling the hair out of the pore, and should gradually subside over time after the treatment is finished.
9 - Dots & Spots
For some users, it’s not uncommon to see small dots or spots on the skin after using an epilator. Similar to the bumps described above, these dots tend to be at the site of each hair follicle and are a reaction to the force of the hair being pulled. Everyone’s skin will react slightly differently, so they may be of varying sizes, and either white or red in color. Again, this is usually only temporary and should fade over time.
10 - Whiteheads & Pimples
Occasionally, some epilator users may experience the formation of pimples or whiteheads in the treated area. This is most often the result of bacteria entering the follicles after the hairs have been pulled and the pores of the skin are more open than usual. These can typically be treated as any other pimple or whitehead, but they are certainly annoying to deal with.
Of course, not all users of epilators will experience all or even some of these effects, but they are commonly reported. However, if you’ve experienced any side effects of epilator use, you may be interested to learn more about IPL hair removal devices as a more comfortable alternative.
Advantages of Intense Pulsed Light Hair Removal Devices
IPL hair removal devices operate in a similar method to laser hair removal. This is done by using intense beams of focused light to cause the pigment in the hair to heat up and inhibit regrowth by affecting the cells within the follicle itself. While true lasers use a very narrow spectrum of light, making them most effective for people with light skin and dark hair, IPL uses the full spectrum of visible light in its pulses.
By using a much broader range of light, IPL devices are capable of effectively treating a very wide array of skin and hair tones. IPL also has the added benefits of being very gentle on the skin, especially when compared to an epilator, making the treatment process much more pleasant.
IPL hair removal devices are also effective at treating fine, small hairs and hairs that are in the process of regrowth, which may not be able to be grabbed and pulled by an epilator.
If these benefits are appealing to you, we recommend you try the Silk’n Infinity Hair Removal Device. It delivers painless, irritation-free hair removal in the comfort of your own home, and leaves your skin feeling exceptionally soft and smooth.
How The Infinity IPL Hair Removal Device Works
This Infinity hair removal device uses a patented combination of intense pulsed light and galvanic energy, which opens up the pores of the skin, making the light pulses more effective at destroying hair follicles. An added benefit, the galvanic energy promotes the stimulation of blood circulation in the skin, enhancing the ability of the skin to absorb post-treatment lotion, providing softer, more moisturized skin.
The Silk’n Infinity also uses an advanced light emitter bulb that has an exceptionally long lifespan, delivering 400,000 pulses of light. That’s enough for a lifetime of fast and easy hair removal treatments. With the Silk’n Infinity, you’ll get great hair removal results on a wide range of skin tones and hair types, from very fair to very coarse, and everything in between.
Toss Out the Epilator & Give IPL Hair Removal a Try
If you’ve had enough of the pain and discomfort of using an epilator, then the time is right to discover the advantages that intense pulsed light hair removal devices have to offer. We’re confident that once you make the switch, you’ll be delighted with the results and the feel of your smooth, hair-free skin that lasts for weeks.
Browse the line of Silk’n permanent IPL hair removal devices, read through our comprehensive series of hair removal articles in our blog, or learn more about hair removal in general in our Resource Center.
← Previous Post Next Post →
