Overview
Epilators are a higher-tech way to remove hair, thanks to a small device that introduces a small electrical current into the hair while tweezers removes the hair for smoother skin, notes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They are a completely safe way to remove hair and an option for those who want longer-lasting hair removal on larger areas of the body, like the legs and arms. If you’ve recently acquired an epilator, make sure that you know how to use it properly for the best results.
Step 1
Take a bath before you attempt to use your epilator, suggests SimplyHairRemoval.com. A warm bath will help open pores so that the hair slides out more easily and with less pain. If it’s your first time using an epilator and you are unsure of your pain threshold, take two ibuprofen 1/2 hour before you use it.
Step 2
Sit somewhere comfortable, and turn the epilator on. Hold it at a right angle to your skin, with the power button facing toward you, says Philips, a maker of several epilator models. Choose the least sensitive area of your body to try first. Your legs are a good place to start. Avoid using it on sensitive areas, such as the bikini line or underarms, until you know how the epilator will affect you.
Step 3
Press the epilator onto your skin and slowly drag it against the direction of the hair growth. Use one hand to operate the epilator while using the other hand to hold your skin taut so more hair is pushed to the surface for the epilator to target. Take at least one second per 1 inch of skin that you traverse. Give enough time for the electrical current to pass through and the tweezers to pluck the hair out.
Step 4
Complete the entire area so that it is hair-free. Move to another area of the body if you wish. Using a cooling aloe lotion directly after your epilator session can calm irritated skin. Give your skin 24 hours to recover, and then exfoliate with a wash cloth or bath sponge to prevent the occurrence of ingrown hairs, according to SimplyHairRemoval.com.
Step 5
Clean the epilator after each use by removing the head. Most epilators will have a button on either side of the epilator that release the head. Tap the epilator over a garbage can to release the bulk of the hair, and then use a small brush to clean the rest of the hair that may be caught in the epilator. Avoid using cleaners, and replace the head when finished, says Philips.
