I’ll be sincere, after I was tasked with this story – to search out the most effective epilator available on the market – I used to be dreading it. As a furry feminine with a low ache threshold, I had till this level been too scared to attempt them. However having taken the plunge and examined all of them, I’m now a convert. It’s comparatively low cost, doesn’t end in too many ingrown hairs, hurts lower than waxing, and the outcomes final a very long time.
So what precisely is an epilator and the way does it work? Dr Mia Jing Gao, Advisor Dermatologist on the Cadogan Clinic, explains: “An epilator removes hair from the roots and is used as a substitute for waxing or shaving. The commonest sort is the tweezer epilator, which makes use of rotating tweezers on a wheel to drag hairs.”
In contrast to shaving, which trims the hair to pores and skin degree – leading to smoothness that hardly lasts 24 hours – epilating lasts for weeks. “In contrast with shavers, epilation can also be much less prone to trigger cuts and is extra appropriate for delicate areas just like the groin,” Dr Gao provides. Certainly, I’ve by no means managed to shave my bikini line with out prompting an indignant rash, and I didn’t expertise that with any of the epilators I examined.
One other hair removal technique is the IPL laser; an at-home know-how that has come on in leaps and bounds lately. “These handheld units use pulses of sunshine vitality to break the hair follicle,” Dr Gao says. “The results aren’t fast and initially you will want to make use of it weekly, however over time with IPL use, it is best to see a lot much less hair regrowth.”
There aren’t as many epilators or IPLs available on the market as you may suppose. A number of manufacturers dominate the market. I’ve tried all of them and you’ll learn my evaluations additional down, adopted by some recommendation on tips on how to use them. However should you’re in a rush, right here’s a fast take a look at my high 5:
That are the most effective epilators in 2024? At a look
The way to discover the most effective epilator for you
For legs, you’ll need a full-sized mannequin which might cowl a good space shortly. If you happen to’re venturing past the knicker line, although, solely a smaller head will sort out the grooves, so make sure that your gadget comes with this attachment.
Other than this, take into account whether or not you’ll need to use yours within the bathtub or bathe. Many more recent fashions are totally waterproof now (although are typically costlier) so allow you to epilate when moist – doing so in a scorching bathtub, for instance, opens the pores and lessens the ache.
One phrase of warning from Dr Gao on selecting a mannequin: “I all the time advise that you just attempt the gadget out on a small patch of pores and skin first.”
Lastly, remember that every one the epilators I examined got here with very particular energy cables that render the units ineffective should you lose them, so watch out with that. And don’t purchase into any advertising and marketing blurb that guarantees ‘pain-free’ or perhaps a ‘much less painful’ expertise. You’re operating dozens of fast-moving tweezers over your hair: irrespective of how flashy the gadget, you’re going to really feel it.