Epilator and waxing are two techniques to remove unwanted hair from the body. Both these techniques can pull out hair directly from the roots. An epilator is the tool we use for epilating.
The key difference between epilator and waxing is the length of body hair. For epilation, the hair should be between 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch long, whereas for waxing, the hair should be between 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch long.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is an Epilator
3. What is Waxing
3. Similarities – Epilator and Waxing
4. Epilator vs Waxing in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Epilator vs Waxing
6. FAQ: Epilator and Waxing
What is an Epilator?
An epilator is an electronic tool that removes unwanted hair from your body. It can pull out body hair directly from the roots. It can be easily used at home and your body may remain free from hair for up to 4 weeks. It can also remove shortest of hairs from the body.
There are two types of epilators as dry and wet epilators. wet. Dry epilators can be used without water, whereas wet epilators are meant to be used when your body hair wet. In fact, using an epilator while showering can help reduce any pain by opening the pores. But make sure the epilator you are using is designed to be used with water, i.e., a wet epilator.
How to Use an Epilator
- Before epilating, exfoliate to remove any dead skin. This will reduce the chances of ingrown hairs and will give you better results.
- Next, hold the epilator at a 90-degree angle and rest it against the area you want to clean. But don’t press it against your skin. Just allow it to slowly glide along the skin in the direction of hair growth.
- Take a break if you do feel any pain, and continue later.
- Finally, apply a soothing moisturizer on the skin.
You might find it painful and uncomfortable the first time you use an epilator. But the more you use it, the more comfortable you will feel as your hair grows thinner.
What is Waxing?
Waxing is another popular technique to remove hair from the body. It can also remove hair from the root. After waxing, it will take about 3 – 4 for new hair to grow. Waxing can be done on many areas of the body, including legs, arms, face, eyebrows, and public areas.
There are several ways to do waxing. Two main methods are hard wax (hot waxing) and soft wax (strip waxing). In hard waxing, the wax is applied in a thick layer on the area you wish to wax. It is then allowed to cool down for it to harden. Finally, the wax is peeled off to remove hair. Soft waxing, on the other hand, involves spreading the wax in a thin layer, applying a paper strip over it, and then ripping it off in the opposite direction of hair growth using quick movement.
Waxing gives you long-lasting, smooth, and silky skin. It also exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin cells. Unlike other hair removal methods like shaving, it does not cause cuts or pigmentation. Moreover, the hair that grows back after waxing is usually soft and fine. But your body hair has to be at least a 1/4 inch long for waxing to be effective.
Similarities Between Epilator and Waxing
- Both techniques can remove hair from the roots.
- Both give you smooth and soft skin.
- They may cause moderate to intense pain levels.
- The results of both epilation and waxing last for approximately 3 to 4 weeks.
Difference Between Epilator and Waxing
Mechanism
- An epilator pulls the hair in the direction of hair growth while an electric current may zap the hair to remove it.
- In waxing, the wax hardens onto the skin and is then pulled off against the direction of hair growth to remove the hair.
Body Areas
- Epilation is best for large areas such as arms and legs.
- Waxing can be used on arms, legs, torso, face, underarms, and the bikini area.
Hair Length
- For epilation, the hair should be between 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch long.
- For waxing, the hair should be between 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch long.
Skin Type
- Epilation is suitable for all skin types.
- Waxing is suitable for most skin types but may not be ideal for sensitive skin.
The following table summarizes the difference between epilator and waxing.
Summary – Epilator vs Waxing
Epilating and waxing are two popular hair removal techniques. However, there is a distinct difference between epilator and waxing. You don’t have to wait for hair to regrow when you’re using an epilator, but when waxing, you have to wait for your hair to grow at least 1/4 inch.
FAQ: Epilator and Waxing
1. Is waxing better than an epilator?
- Waxing is not better than an epilator. In fact, epilators have several advantages over waxing. Epilators can remove the shortest of body hair, so you don’t have to wait for the hair to regrow, like in waxing. In the long run, buying an epilator is cheaper than booking waxing sessions in a salon.
2. Does an epilator hurt more than waxing?
- Both epilating and waxing more painful than shaving. However, the intensity of the pain can depend on the person. Some find epilators more painful than waxing because they can feel each hair being pulled out. Some others find it less painful than waxing.
3. Is epilator good for pubic hair?
- You can use an epilator to remove public hair. The results will last up to 4 weeks. However, this can be a painful process.
4. Does an epilator darken underarms?
- Epilators do not darken underarms, unlike shaving. They do not create dark shadows under the arm because they do not use any chemical substances.
5. Do epilators damage skin?
- Using an epilator to remove unwanted body hair is generally safe for the skin. However, it may cause issues like tenderness, redness, irritation, and ingrown hair.
Reference:
1. “How to Use an Epilator: Tips & Tricks.” Braun.
2. “What is Waxing?” Paulina De Los Reyes.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Epileertoestel dichtbij” By uploaded by Bree~commonswiki (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Waxing Leg” (CC0) via Pxhere
Leave a Reply