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Personal Care

LET’S EPILATE

W hen it comes to hair removal, shaving provides a superficial solution – as well as prickly regrowth stubble. Epilators might resemble an electric shaver, but these personal grooming devices go deeper, utilising a group of rapidly rotating tweezers or discs to grip and pull out even the shortest of hairs at the roots. Ouch! “Beauty is pain” said somebody once, and anyone who’s been waxed by an overzealous beautician will concur. But while there can be some initial discomfort when first using an epilator, it’s far less painful than waxing, and after the first few treatments you’re unlikely to even notice it. And there’s a simple way to minimise it. Epilating works best on dry skin, but the process is a lot more comfortable in a warm bath or shower – many epilators are waterproofed for this very purpose. Warm water softens the hairs and opens the skin’s pores for better results and less discomfort, and exfoliating first will further take the edge off. Some devices also feature massage caps and speed settings for extra gentle epilation, and can convert into electric shavers for more sensitive areas. Regular epilation makes hair thinner, and removing it at the roots results Providing convenient, precise and long-lasting hair removal without the high cost of visiting a salon, a personal epilator will quickly pay for itself.

ENTER THE EPILADY

The world’s first personal epilator – appropriately named the ‘Epilady’ – was manufactured by an Israel-based company and marketed in 1986. This electronic hair removal

device utilised a simple motor that rotated a coil to catch the hairs and pull them out at the roots. Despite a reputation for being

HOW TO USE AN EPILATOR Simply position the device loosely against the chosen area at a 90° angle and slowly move it in the direction of the hair growth – going in the opposite direction won’t remove hair from the root. Pull the skin taut and don’t apply pressure – some models feature an intuitive sensor that will alert you if you’re pressing too hard. If the epilator has several speeds, begin with a low setting. When all done, allow the pores time to close before moisturising that beautifully smooth skin. Epilate every two to three weeks for the best results.

rather painful, the Epilady was hugely popular and revolutionised female grooming. An update arrived in 1996 – the ‘Discrette’ – that featured a disc-operated head, minimising discomfort thanks to the high velocity of the rotating discs.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR From entry level to professional, there’s an epilator for everyone, and prices will vary according to functionality. Some are multi- purpose, while others target specific areas with a range of specialised attachments for massaging, shaving, trimming and exfoliating. Determine which area of the body you’ll use it on the most and look for the features/ attachments to match. If using an epilator to remove facial hair, select a model designed for this purpose with a slower rotation speed. Also consider where it will get the most use – wet or dry? Waterproofed models cost more, but deliver painless treatment in a warm bath/shower.

THE BENEFITS

As well as eliminating the need to visit a salon (and the cost), the aesthetic benefits include smoother skin for up to a month, and softer and finer hair regrowth over time. Epilation is also gentler on sensitive skin than a razor or shaver and more efficient, removing up to 97 per cent of unwanted hair.

in less frequent regrowth. An epilator works best on hair that’s less than 5mm – the shorter it is, the more comfortable the process, so shaving the area to be treated beforehand is a good idea. Whether you’re targeting the arms, legs, underarms, bikini area or face, an epilator will give you a thorough deforestation and a silky- smooth finish that will last.

58 MARCH 2022

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