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Hi all, epilator or shave. I’ve used both before and like the results of the epilator but I am pretty sparse of hair in any case. Which do you prefer? Katie.
Hi, Katie.
I initially shaved my legs and then I tried the wax strips and I find they work for me. A few months ago, I decided to try shaving again but I much prefer the weeks of smoothness the strips afford. The hair that grows back is finer and there's a lot less of it.
I recently got a couple of sleeveless dresses and decided that the hair on my arms and hands had to go. Wish I'd done it sooner! So, out came the wax strips again and, once started, there was no stopping me, I can tell you now, though, using wax strips on my chest and tummy is more than a little painful. And, as Fluff @finallyfiona mentioned, my chest looks like I have shingles! Spots everywhere, oh how we girls suffer for our art 🥲.
Allie x
@katiep hi Katie, l tried shaving and then l tried epilator and l decided it was quicker and easier for me to shave weekly
@katiep I now use epilator 99%, started with shaving, grows back fast and stubble, used epilator part time. I waxed for a year evey 6wk, love the feel and easy but at $100 felt cost not worth it. I now use epilator about every 4wk, leggs, chest, and under arms. Was painful at first so I would do small section after a shower. With the use of the epilator I have less and less hair especial on by chest and legs. best of all no stubble.
Hair removal evolution: shaving>epilator>laser.
I tried Nair once. NEVER AGAIN! Epilating or waxing would be highly preferred if I hadn't gotten laser.
Hair removal sucks.
/LK
Hi all, epilator or shave.
As noted below, you have other choices, too.
Initially, I shaved my legs only, but that only left me with hundreds of ingrown hair around and above both knees. Ooops!
Then I tried creams, starting with the only brand that I remembered - Nair. That was a mistake, so I got Veet, to avoid Nair's smell. Creams work really well, but like shaving, they don't eliminate the problem.
Narrow spectrum laser does, but the up front costs may turn a few CDs off. Because you don't have a thick forest to eliminate, it may be a good choice.
Epilators yank out the hair from its follicles, so eventually, you may actually stop the hair from regenerating. Like sticky tape, there can be a bit of pain involved.
And then there are broader spectrum IPL wands. Not laser, but the light helps to destroy each root and, in time, the hair stops growing. In combination with yanking out hair, using IPL does a very good job, except for some very stubborn roots. Again, starting with very little body hair, IPL would be a very effective and not expensive way of going hairless.
I was pretty hairy (hence my name), but I am amazed how I now look without much hair surviving anywhere.
@katiep I hate shaving. I love feeling smooth but can't stand the feeling of stubble the next day. I had my first full body laser treatment (minus the face) yesterday and look forward to being full time smooth in just a few months. Yes, it's expensive, but for me its something I just needed to do!
@emily2626 Not too many members here have declared that they have had real laser treatments. It would be very informative for the rest of us if you described the process and the end results, etc.
@harriette I'd be happy to Harriette. The first treatment took under 2 hours, That is entire body from the neck down, including Brazilian. There was little to no discomfort. I was told that I would start to see results in about 7 days, and I would be 95 plus % hair free after 3-4 treatments. Treatments will be every 5 weeks, and I will do 7-10 of them. It is permanent
@harriette There’s the downside. It’s expensive. $14k usd for everything. That includes lifetime maintenance as needed. I am fortunate that the cost is not an issue and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. There were less expensive options but I chose the best. I’ve learned that this is not a cheap side of me, and I fully embrace Emily as does my wife. I guess also when I think about the money I’ve spent on good razors, shaving cream, nair, and at home lasers over the last 30 years it seems like a deal!
@emily2626 Thank you for the added price information. I thought that the members should have that reference up front. 😇
@katiep Katie, I started with shaving, then added epilating. I only epilate my legs and arms, shave chest, underarms and back. Like many others, have noticed the hair on my legs and arms is getting less and less. Also wishing I had started doing it years ago.
Davina
@katiep I use a home IPL, and it works great. The hair growth has really slowed down, but I think you need to have darker hair for results.
@gina5 My chest had a thick forest of dark and greying or white hair. It's pretty much all gone.
Where there is any white hair still resisting, they are very, very hard to detect.
@gina5 hmmmmm being very fair haired / blond that will not work for me, shame. Katie
@katiep I find waxing is the most effective way. And the longer you have it done the less it grows
or the more expensive route IPL.
I have had my arm pits and pubic areas done. Completely smooth
I've gone to wax routine. But done by a pro. My GG friend teaches skincare. Facials, waxing and state board licensing. She warned me about skin damage with the do it yourself kits.
The shop I use dose full waxing. Bikini, French Bikini and Brazilian waxing. You don't want to try that at home!
After a few waxings you can then follow up with a epilater. Then you would be hairless for a long while. Smooth City!
Smooth sailing girls!
Fran 🥰
Katie dear,
The two methods I've employed are shaving and the quick-tug tape. I wasn't that impressed with the tape, and anyway, I started going bald you might say, on my lower legs when I was in my 30's. So on my legs the hair is thinning, it isn't all that "bristly" when it's stubble. I get by shaving every 2-3 days.
And besides. I'm cheap. Hate to run the shower those extra 4 minutes, and this little lady is a bit too gentle-minded to turn it off for the time spent shaving.
hugs,
Dani
For me, it's the epilator for my legs. Having waxed them for some years, I've almost no hair left below the knee or on my outer thighs now, which actually all happened surprisingly quickly. I've since found that it's so much quicker and more convenient to epilate them instead. The epilator works very well on my armpits too. I started doing my arms as well this year, but I've found them unexpectedly painful to do and I've had quite a lot of acne down them in the weeks afterwards, so I'm thinking they may be a better candidate for shaving. For anywhere else, wax is king, of one sort or another 🙂
Well Fiona,
I switched from shaving legs to waxing. The initial waiting of about six weeks was the toughest part! I couldn't stand the site of my hairy legs! Yuck 🤮.
I've been waxed for brows, ears, nose and pits. But last goaround it was everything with the exception of my arms.
I even went full Brazilian! I love the smooth feeling and look. My shaver gets a good rest now. My legs don't get nicked,yeah!
The things we go through to satisfy our inner girl. It does make for a quicker getting ready time.
I'm told epilating is less painful after a period of waxing. The thinner and finer hair makes it easier.
Stay smooth girl!
Fran 🥰
@gafran That might indeed be the reason for the pain when epilating my arms then. They'd never been touched until this year! Trouble is, waxing is a 2-handed job to do properly so I doubt I'd get far with them that way, that might have to be a salon job 🙂
I let the salon do all my waxing. My GG friend teaches skincare and waxing is apart of it. The home kits my use waxes not comparable to one's skin type. The professional wax salons have to have accredited hours of training to be licensed for service to the public. 🥰
@finallyfiona Mix in the use of an IPL wand, Fiona, and you will be hairless quick enough.
I prefer waxing and have my legs and brows done every four weeks. Everywhere else gets epilated, but I am going to try home hard waxing. I have shaved for years, and love that just shaved feel, but it only lasts a day.
I haven’t looked into waxing yet. I do like the epilator as there is no danger from nicking flesh. Still shave armpits. My arms are the only items left now.
@katiep If you have loose skin areas, you can get it picked up by the wheels and jam them from turning. This doesn't actually hurt much, but it is annoying and you should quickly turn the power off.
Unjamming the wheels just means manually spinning the wheels backwards.
When I came out to my wife 20 years ago I shaved. I always hated the stubble and prickly feeling I had a few days later. I decided to try an epilator and became a believer. I've been using one for over 15 years now. I use it everywhere except my face, which they tell you not to use it on in the instructions.
Over time the period between uses has increased and currently I'm at about 6-8 weeks. The last time was the end of September. While I can see the hairs on my arms if I look I still don't feel them. My legs still appear to be bare with little growth. I'm not one that has sparse hair or anything like that. The epilator has worked for me better than I expected. At first it was about 2 weeks and then over the years it's gotten longer between uses.
I won't shave my body again. I won't go back to that need to shave every few days and that feeling that I'm a pincushion.
I use a Braun Silk Epil 5 and I love it!
@cherylt the one I use is a Braun albeit it is my wife’s and very happy with the results.
Shaving as there are less 'ouches' and reaction than epilating...
Shower and scrub skin with an exfoliating mitt, Epilate , followed by a wipe down with thayers rose witch hazel to cool things off . Then moisturize .
Shower, shave, exfoliate, moisturise for me.
Hi
initially shaved but got fed up so epilated, after two or three goes I noticed that the hairs were getting thinner, eventually after only a couple more goes they were virtually gone, now glad to say my body from neck down is completely hairless,
Wendy
@wend77 That's my dream to be hairless from the neck down.
I'm getting tired of shaving. My routine is weekly, usually on Friday mornings so I'm smooth for the evening and Saturday.
Cheryl above mentioned that she has had good luck with the Braun Silk Epil 5 so I'm tempted to give that a try. I used to use one about 20 years ago and it was painful, but very effective.
I'm curious how it works in the shower. Anyone try that? If so, how well did it work?
@jessicacd289 As to the shower, mine isn't designed for that. I considered a unit that was, but then I thought about how long it would take to do even one area. My legs take about 20 minutes, my arms about 10 and the rest in between about another 20. That's a lot of showers or a long time under running water. Certainly not a way to conserve. Also I'd be suspect that the charge would last long enough and you certainly can't run an extension cord without some sparks LOL.
I just sit down with a glass of wine and take my time. Then moisturize and relax.
hi well i never did it in the shower, but also have a Braun, and for me its was not that painful, but probably not the same for everyone, but like i say after a few goes, hair free
Wendy
@jessicacd289 no never used it in a shower so no sure, but all I know it worked for me, now completely hairless from neck down, good luck, but do try it
Wendy
Cheryl above mentioned that she has had good luck with the Braun Silk Epil 5 so I'm tempted to give that a try. I used to use one about 20 years ago and it was painful, but very effective.
Really, an epilator is only painful in certain areas. Side ribs, upper chest, neck, some groin areas, for example. However, once you do the first run or two, it takes time for new hair to regrow everywhere. Some follicles will remain dormant, so you then have fewer and fewer hair to manage.
If you mostly used an IPL wand really frequently and used the epilator mainly for cleaning up, you will be hairless fairly quickly, surprisingly quickly in many areas, which also means that you can focus on the more resistant areas more. Both methods attack the roots and they succumb to all of these attacks, so they are complimentary techniques.
I have a Braun Epilator; I just love how well it works on my body hair. I remain smooth and hair free for weeks it used to be a little painful but over the years I have gotten used to it. I hardly notice any discomfort while using it. I do think that the amount of hair that grows back is so much less than when I started using it and I love that.
Epilator anytime, yes it hurts the first few times but then you don't think about it when you epilate. Last 4-5 weeks by me and im getting less and less hair growing back. No stubble.
Legs.... Epilate.... After a while, the hairs don't grow back. I only have to epilate about once a month at best now. When I don't epilate, the hairs are so fine that they can only be seen in backlighting. I can feel the hair, but not see them. It takes the light on the epilator to find them.
Cerys
I've tried shaving and waxing, then I purchased a laser hair remover from Amazon and am pleasantly surprised with the results so far.
