Epilation is a very easy method of hair removal and is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional razor shaving and waxing.
But here’s the truth, epilators can really hurt, and can take a bit of getting used to.
If you’ve never used one before, you’ll want to make sure to learn the process and give yourself some time to adapt to your new hair removal routine.
So, here’s our step-by-step guide to get you started epilating, properly. Because failing to plan is planning to fail, as they say.
We don’t want you getting put off epilation by making some silly, totally avoidable mistake.
Step 1: Get the Right Epilator
Get the right epilator before you start, trust me, this is a crucial step.
In our opinion, the Braun Silk Epil 7 is an ideal choice, and one of the best epilators for beginners.
It’s a very high-quality product with the solid brand reputation of Braun, and many positive reviews that will attest to its epilating performance.
Pro tip: Always be sure that your epilator battery is fully charged. The last thing you want to happen is for the battery to run out during epilation – that would suck.
And that’s yet another reason to invest in a reliable epilator, one with a long-lasting battery.
Step 2: Prepare Your Skin for Epilation
Pre-Shave:
Shave your legs (or any part of your body you wish to epilate), then leave the hairs to grow back in over the next 2 – 5 days, this allows all the hairs to grow back around the same length, so the hairs are easier to catch, and epilation is even across the skin.
If your hairs a very long, they might get caught up and tangled in the spinning epilator head. This will result in pain, uneven hair removal, and overall inefficient epilation.
Exfoliate:
Exfoliating your skin just before you epilate can help reduce the risk of getting ingrown hairs, by clearing away dead skin cells, freeing the hairs from the skin, and improving efficiency of hair removal.
NEVER moisturise before epilation, only after. Because this can cause hairs to stick to the skin and hairs might not get lifted or they could slip through the metal tweezers.
Where and When to Epilate:
Epilate in the bath or shower (providing your epilator is waterproof) to soften skin, open pores, and make the experience more comfortable.
Set aside time – 30 – 60 minutes – because epilation is slower than shaving, but it’s like anything else in life, you’ll get faster at it the more times you do it.
At night is the best time to epilate, as this allows the skin time to calm and redness to subside by morning.
First thing in the morning when you have a busy active day ahead is probably the worst time to epilate, the cool night-time air and overnight rest is ideal for your skin after thorough epilation.
Step 3: Start Epilation
Expect this to be somewhat painful, at first, but I’ll show you some tips on how to make epilation less painful.
You may want to take a mild pain killer like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen (always follow the dosage guidelines and never exceed stated dose).
You may be lucky and not experience much pain, but ripping the hairs out from the root, like waxing, is mildly traumatic, and is going to take some getting used to.
However, with regular use, the sensation can become not just easily tolerable, but quite enjoyable.
Start with the slow setting, if you’re a complete beginner.
Start by using the epilator on a less sensitive part of the body, such as the front of the leg, just below the knee – on the bony bit.
Press the epilator head gently on the skin, applying light pressure.
Make sure the epilator is around 90 to the surface of your skin, and begin moving the epilator against the direction of hair growth.
Use a slow motion against the hair grain.
You may need to go over the same part of the body more than once, to remove all the hairs.
Rub your hand against the hair grain, to lift the hairs away from the skin so the epilator has a better chance of grabbing them in the tweezers.
If you feel up to it, increase the epilator speed and run the head over your skin slightly faster.
Take about 10 – 15 seconds from the knee to the top of your thigh, as an example of the type of speed to use.
Step 4: Clean your Epilator and Moisturise Skin
When you’re done, apply a skin-nourishing, soothing moisturiser such “Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser”.
It’s a good idea to lay down next to an open window (if safe, and you have the privacy) and let the cool air blow over your skin.
Finally, give your epilator a clean so that it’s ready for your next session. This will maintain good hygrine and keep motor and tweezer mechanism working optimally.
You’re done!
There, it wasn’t that scary, or hard, was it?
Now you have super smooth and sexy hair-free skin that will last 3 or 4 weeks, depending on how fast your hairs grow back. But the great thing is, results last so much longer than shaving, and it was all done from the comfort of your own home.
Remember, practice makes perfect – you’ll go from an epilation newbie to a complete pro in no time.
See the video below for a complete walk through on using a Braun Silk Epil epilator.