Waxing Vs Epilators: Which is Best for Hair Removal?
The hair removal technique took hundreds of years to get to the level we are now. Probably, the ancient Egyptians were the ones who started this ritual because of their high aesthetic and hygiene concepts. Although hair removal is used mainly by women, in recent years it has become an essential for many men. Today there are centers specialized in male hair removal.
There are various gadgets to remove unwanted hair, one of them is hot wax. Wax machines, or hot wax pots, are one of the best solutions that exist to be able to wax from home. It is practical, easy to use and economical. With this device you don’t need to visit beauty salons to have soft and smooth skin.
Note
- One of the most important things before buying a wax machine is to look at its capacity. This will always depend on the use (or area of the body that you want to wax) and the frequency with which you use it. Professional heaters have a capacity greater than 300 ml, but you can also find smaller ones for home use.
- The second aspect to consider is the power and the thermostat that the wax machine brings. We recommend looking for a pot that is capable of working with at least one hundred watts of power to be able to heat the wax easily and quickly. The thermostat is used so that you can choose the temperature in which you want to melt the wax.
- Finally, it is essential before buying a wax machine to consider some criteria to achieve a successful and satisfactory purchase. In this article we mention some of the aspects that you should take into account before buying a wax machine, such as size, accessories, power, among others.
Shopping Guide:
Before purchasing a wax machine, you should ask yourself why you need it or what features and accessories it should have so that it fits perfectly for the use you want to give it. In this section we address the most frequently asked questions by users and we explain the different types that there are.
The wax machine is basically an electric pot that is used to heat bars of cold wax until they are completely melted. Its main characteristic that differentiates it from an ordinary pot is that it is capable of maintaining the right temperature so that it does not solidify again and so that it does not burn.
Wax machines are much faster than a conventional pot. They have a filter system that cleans the wax already used, making it much more hygienic and durable. Not surprisingly, many of them have a thermostat to maintain the desired temperature for longer.
Hot wax remains one of the most widely used methods of removing unwanted body hair. Its results are excellent, since the heat helps to open the pores and makes the hair pull out easily. Below we present a table with the advantages and disadvantages of this depilatory method.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Despite the differences between one machine and another, the basic rule is always to heat the wax to the maximum temperature so that it melts in the shortest possible time. Once the wax reaches a temperature between 40 to 50 °C it can be used without further risk. However, this rule does not apply to extremely sensitive skin.
How to use a filter wax warmer?
This process is quite simple. Depending on the machine, this will be the position of the filter. Some heaters have it on the same pot, while other machines bring it as an additional pot. In both cases, the used wax is placed on the filter at a temperature of 125°C, which, in turn, sterilizes it for reuse.
However, there is a wide variety of waxes on the market. Always the product you choose determines the result. A high-quality wax can be reused several times without losing its power or burning. On the other hand, a cheaper wax, when filtered, burns faster and can no longer remove the hair by the roots.
How to clean my wax machine?
Then, take a large cotton ball, soak it in alcohol, and rub the entire outside of the container before it cools. You will see how the wax adheres to the cotton. When the cotton is dirty, change it for another and continue cleaning until you remove all traces of wax and leave your machine as new. You can also use 90°C or burning alcohol to clean the inside of the machine. There are also several specialized products on the market to clean wax machines, you can buy these in specialized stores or also online.
Is it worth buying a wax heater with a thermostat?
It is always recommended not to lose sight of the temperature. Excessively hot wax can be very dangerous and cause not only pain, but also leave marks on the skin. In addition, good use prolongs the life of the wax. If we always exceed the temperature, the wax will burn faster and we will not be able to reuse it many times.
What types of wax machines are there?
Likewise, there are different depilatory wax machines on the market. Next, we present a table with the main differences of each type:
Feature | roll-on heater | Electric bucket heater |
---|---|---|
Form | Small and manageable, almost like an electric epilator. | Pot that plugs in |
Use | It has a roller-shaped head (very practical), but difficult to handle in small areas. | When applied with a spatula, it can reach all areas of the body. |
Price | It is not very cheap. A new cartridge is needed each time. | It is cheaper, because the wax can be reused. |
Difficulty | Excellent option for beginners. The roller doses the exact amount of wax that is needed. The temperature is regulated by the machine. | It takes a little more knowledge and practice. |
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Electric Epilators for Hair Removal
It is true that you will have to make a small investment with the purchase of this electric epilator, but you save time and money in the long run. Electric hair removal offers you results that can last up to 3 weeks. The pain is less than with other methods, since there are tricks and technologies inserted in them to achieve this purpose.
Note
- The electric epilator is a device that, through its rollers, removes body hair. It is one of the many methods used for hair removal. They usually integrate several heads for the different parts of the body.
- Within the sector there are different types of electric shaving epilators, starter, cable, wireless and to be used on both wet and dry skin. Each one has a function and adapts to different needs.
- When buying an electric epilator, you must take into account several purchase criteria such as the design, the number of heads it has, the accessories it includes, noise, autonomy, water resistance or extras.
The best painless electric epilator
Rowenta Silence Soft EP5660 – 2-speed epilator, 24-tweezer anti-pain system
The best pain free epilator is the Rowenta Silence Soft EP5660. It includes two speeds, one higher for large areas such as the legs and another for those more sensitive such as the armpits or English.
Among the advantages it offers, we can highlight that it is a fairly silent epilator compared to other models. By not having a cable, you will not have to worry about its autonomy.
Editorial evaluation: Thanks to its 24-tweezers anti-pain system, it allows minimal discomfort when waxing. In addition, it includes several heads for total hair removal.
Everything you should know about electric epilators for hair removal
Although this form of hair removal is not new, there are still people who have not tried or used an electric epilator. For this reason, we wanted to explain in this section all the information that you will need prior to your purchase.
Why should you buy an electric epilator?
An electric epilator is an electrical device that allows you a new method of hair removal through rollers that gradually tear your hair out. These devices usually have several heads designed for different areas of our body such as the face, armpits, groin or legs. This offers longer lasting results than razors, creams or mousses that only do shaving, not pulling out hair. Almost all models usually integrate two speeds.
If you don’t want to be making appointments to wax your hair, either because of the time you lose or the money you have to spend on each of the sessions, the electric epilator is your solution. This gives you the same lasting result as wax with less pain and at a lower cost. Although at first you have to make an investment in the purchase, in the long run it will be profitable. We see advantages and disadvantages below:
Advantages
Disadvantages
What types of electric epilators are on the market?
Within the wide catalog of electric epilators there are two different types. It is essential to know how to differentiate them, since depending on their type they must be used for one method of hair removal or another. To do this, we are going to use a comparative table in which you can better understand what utility you should give to each one.
shaving epilators | starter epilators | |
---|---|---|
Function | Similar to blades or razors. They remove the hair through a head that contains blades that move from one side to the other, removing the hair | It is a machine that is responsible for pulling the hair from the root. They work with rollers that contain small tweezers that allow them to completely remove hair. |
Result | They do not cause any pain, hair removal is very fast, but they last less | It takes longer, is long lasting, and if it is painful |
Ideal | For people whose hair grows slowly or who do not want to endure any pain | For people who want a more lasting result and gradually remove hair |
Price | low-medium | medium-high |
How do electric epilators work?
The main function of electric epilators is to remove hair from the root. To do this, it has a head with small tweezers that move very quickly to be able to extract the hair quickly, without having to jerk as occurs in waxing, making it less painful. Depending on the type of head you use, it will be destined for one area of the body or another.
It is essential to highlight that for hair removal in this way to be effective, the hair must measure at least a length of 3 mm, since if they are small it will be much more difficult to pull out the hair. When using the electric epilator, you should know that you always have to epilate in the opposite direction to the one in which your body hair grows, to be effective.
Does hair removal with electric epilators hurt?
They include many factors so that the damage is greater or lesser, such as the machine model, the type of skin, the heads, the accessories you use and the care used the days before waxing. Next, we are going to explain the steps you can take to make the pain more pleasant.
- You should moisturize the skin with cream before waxing. This will minimize discomfort.
- You must use the appropriate head for each area of your body, since they are prepared for it.
- You can stretch the skin through the area that you are passing the epilator. This will make it tense and the pain less, since the hair comes out more easily.
- You can apply hot water before waxing so that the pores open up and it is easier to remove hair.
- If you let your hair grow a few millimeters, you will get a more effective result and it will be easy to remove the hair.
- As you carry out the sessions, the discomfort will reduce. The first times you shave will be the most painful, over time your skin will get used to this method of hair removal and with it the pain.
- After waxing, you can moisturize the skin so that it does not become irritated. It is not recommended to be exposed to the sun during the first 24 hours, nor is it advisable to put cologne or deodorant on the shaved area, since it can cause irritation.
Corded electric epilator vs. wireless
Within this sector you can find wired and wireless electric epilators. To do this, we are going to name the advantages and disadvantages of using each of the different models.
The main advantage is that if you use a wireless epilator you can use it anywhere without the need for a plug, you don’t have any type of restriction when it comes to making movements and it allows you to use it both in the bathroom and in the shower. On the contrary, the disadvantage is that since there is no cable, the battery can run out and you must recharge it, having to take the charger with you. Almost all of them are usually waterproof.
The main advantage of corded epilators is that the battery will never run out, so you can not worry, because they do not need charging. On the contrary, the disadvantages are all related to the cable, since it can be uncomfortable and dangerous if you want to shave underwater.
Should electric epilators be cleaned after use?
If you want your electric epilator to last you many years, you must use and care for it correctly. To do this, it is best to clean it after each use, since the hair that you have removed could get trapped in the head, causing the machine to break. It could also happen that in the following uses you do not obtain the desired results. Other than that it’s unhygienic.
The first thing you have to do is turn off or unplug the epilator if it is plugged in, remove the head and clean it with the brush that comes included or with another that you have at home, such as the toothbrush. If it is waterproof, you can put it directly under the tap for cleaning, making this step much more comfortable. If you still have any questions, these electrical devices usually include an instruction manual that explains their use and care.
What are the alternatives to electric epilators?
There are different forms of hair removal today that are distinguished by certain characteristics, which you must take into account. These are: the way it is done, the result they offer you, the time it lasts and the price it costs you. For this reason, we are going to present a comparative table in which there is a brief explanation of each of them.
epilator | To be | Wax | Knife | Hair remover cream | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Function | Through its rollers it removes unwanted hair | Through a beam that is a visible light removes unwanted hair | The cold wax has several strips that you put on and what it does is pull out the hair by the roots or the hot wax that spreads the wax with a spatula and then pulls it out and takes the hair from the roots | Through some blades shave the hair, but not from the root | You apply the cream and let it act for a few minutes. Then through a spatula you shave all the desired hair |
Result | Approximately 3 weeks and your hair is getting weaker and weaker | Approximately 3 weeks, your hair is weaker and after several sessions the amount of hair is reduced | Approximately 2 weeks and the hair is also thinning | Approximately 3-4 days, the hair grows stronger and stronger | Approximately 2-3 and the hair comes out stronger |
Pain | Depending on the person it can be bigger or smaller | small annoyances | major pain | No kind of pain, but you can cut yourself | no pain |
Price | Medium-High | High | Medium | Under | Under |
Purchase criteria
The following purchase criteria have been designed to make it even easier for you to know which are the characteristics that you should take into account when purchasing and which one best suits your needs. This will allow you to understand in a simple way, the benefits that each of them can offer you:
Design
On the market there is a wide catalog of models of electric epilators with similar designs. However, some may seem more comfortable to use than others. To do this, the first thing you have to take into account is that it adapts well to your hand and that it is not very heavy. That is why it is advisable to go to a physical store to try several of them in hand or review the comments of different users if you are going to make the purchase online.
You can find several types of electric epilators that are corded, wireless, that can get wet or that are not waterproof. This is a rather subjective factor, so it will depend on what each person is looking for or wants. Thanks to advances, many of them have anti-slip systems or handles that help you to have a more secure hold.
heads and accessories
One of the most important elements in electric epilators are the basic heads, which are pieces that usually have between twenty and forty elements, depending on the model, and are responsible for catching the hair on your body and pulling it out. Apart from the basic head, they usually include those for cutting or shaving.
These work like shaving with a razor, since they leave the hair flush with the skin, but the root remains inside. The head that has a greater number of tweezers is usually painful, but it gives you quick results. On the other hand, if you have a smaller number of tweezers, it will hurt less, but it will be slower.
Some machines usually include scrubs or massages, accessories that are not necessary for hair removal, but that help reduce pain and prevent redness. Another interesting point is the types of heads, since there are wide ones for large areas of the body and narrow ones for small ones.
Autonomy
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find electrical devices that use a cable connected to the current in order to function. As we have mentioned before, if your electric epilator has these characteristics, you can not worry about its autonomy, since it will work as long as it is connected to a socket with light. The same will not happen in the case of wireless electric epilators that should be taken into account.
A good autonomy will be the one that is around forty minutes in use. Some models allow you to be able to use the electrical device while it is charging, but many do not. Because of this, it is essential that you take into account the charging time and the time of use of that electric epilator that you want to buy.
Noise
Electric epilators can be quite noisy electrical devices, which can be a negative point for those who do not like to hear any sound when epilating. Depending on the model, the decibels are usually between 63 and 70. This also depends on the technologies that each type has integrated or the speed at which you are using the machine.
If, after several uses, the noise increases, it could be for various reasons: pressing the machine too hard against the skin, incorrect voltage, not having properly cleaned the head after a previous use or because the epilator has been damaged.
Waterproof
There are epilators that are waterproof, and others that can simply be used dry. The decision to opt for one type or another will depend on the customs and preferences that you choose. In this section we are going to explain what advantages you can get with a machine of these characteristics.
Among its benefits are the possibility of waxing in a shower or bathtub, making it easier to remove hair, since it will go straight down the drain. You will also have a decrease in pain if you apply hot water to the skin while you are epilating with the machine. It is evident that the device must be wireless and not be connected to the current.
Additional features
One of the extras that an electric epilator can have is an integrated light. This will be very useful for you, if you are new to this hair removal method. The light is located in the front part and it visibly shows you the area of the skin through which you are going to pass. This light will also help you to better visualize the hairs you want to pull out.
Another aspect that must be kept in mind when purchasing it is spare parts, since after constant use the heads tend to break down and this can become a nightmare. That is why many brands on the market offer spare parts at an affordable price, so you do not have to buy a new one. This factor is not essential, but it should be considered in the long term
Facial epilator for hair removal
In Ancient Egypt it was an obligation to keep the entire body hairless. With the intention of looking younger in front of the eyes of others, they underwent various treatments. Fortunately, many centuries have passed since that time.
- Facial epilators are light and practical tools to get rid of hair from the comfort of home.
- There will always be a risk of irritation or ingrown hairs, but with proper care you can considerably reduce this possibility.
- Before deciding on one facial epilator or another, you should consider the appropriate design according to the area to be treated, your pain tolerance and the duration of the results you hope to obtain.
Facial hair removal
We start with the basics. First, you must ask yourself what it is that you want to achieve. You may not even want to see the shadow of the hair or just keep it tamed. In either case, electric facial epilators can help you.
The reality is that many people do not understand why they should have a device only for the face. In case you didn’t know, the skin in these areas is much more sensitive. For this reason, using the same procedure that is used on the rest of the body is not adequate.
These kinds of devices are designed to treat the entire face. From between the eyebrows, to the mustache. In addition, its use is very simple. To wax with one of these machines you just have to:
- Have a clean skin.
- Slide it appropriately, depending on the area to be treated.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a facial epilator?
There are people who do not understand how it is possible to overcome their beloved tweezers or painful wax. For this reason, we invite you to learn about the benefits and also those not so nice aspects that an electric razor must have.