Epilating: less painfully to long-lasting smooth skin
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Epilating is one of the most effective ways to get rid of annoying hairs for several weeks – because the epilator pulls the hair out together with the root. That is exactly what gives you the long smooth phase, but at first it also causes the notorious pinch. The good news: with the right preparation, technique and aftercare, epilating becomes considerably more comfortable, and the result often lasts three to four weeks. In this guide we show you how to reduce the pain, avoid ingrown hairs and which areas of skin are particularly well suited.
Why does epilating hurt – and why does it get better?
When epilating, many small tweezer discs grip the hair and pull it out of the skin along with the hair root. This pull irritates the fine nerve endings around the hair follicle, which you feel as a brief pinch. That is completely normal.
The key point is: the pain decreases noticeably over time. With regular use, the hairs that grow back become thinner and weaker, and your skin gets used to the procedure. Anyone epilating for the first time finds it more intense than someone who has been doing it for months. So patience literally pays off here.
How epilating becomes less painful
With a few tricks you can noticeably reduce the unpleasant feeling:
- Warm up beforehand: epilate ideally right after a warm bath or a warm shower. The warmth opens the pores, and the hairs come out more easily.
- Tighten the skin: stretch the skin with your free hand while you guide the epilator. Taut skin releases the hair better and the pull feels less harsh.
- Guide it slowly: move the device slowly and evenly against the direction of growth. Pulling too fast catches hairs unfavourably and pinches more.
- Correct angle: hold the epilator at a right angle (90 degrees) to the skin, not at a slant, so the tweezers grip optimally.
- Epilate in the evening: any redness can calm down overnight, and you head into the next day relaxed.
- Use a wet epilator: many devices are waterproof and can be used in the shower – the warm water relaxes the skin additionally.
If you are very sensitive, you can trim the hairs slightly beforehand. A length of a few millimetres is ideal: long enough for the epilator to grip, but short enough that the pull is not too strong.
Adjust the setting and attachment
Many epilators offer several speed settings. As a beginner, start with the lower setting – it works more gently. Special attachments for sensitive zones or massage attachments that make the skin vibrate slightly additionally distract from the pulling.
Which areas of skin are suitable?
Not every part of the body reacts the same. In principle you can epilate almost anywhere, but the sensitivity differs:
- Legs: the classic and most straightforward zone. The skin here is more robust, epilating is easy to tolerate and the result lasts a long time.
- Arms: also well suited and comparatively low in pain sensitivity.
- Underarms: more sensitive, because the skin is thin and hairs grow in different directions. Here it helps to tighten the skin particularly well and to work in several directions.
- Bikini area: very sensitive. Approach it slowly and use an attachment for sensitive areas.
- Face (upper lip, chin): only with special, small facial epilators and great care.
For especially delicate spots, or if epilating there is too uncomfortable for you, a gentler alternative can make sense. You can read how to become smooth without a blade using depilatory cream applied correctly in the linked guide.
How the result lasts longer
To enjoy smooth skin for as long as possible, it comes down to aftercare and a good rhythm:
- Exfoliate regularly: a gentle scrub two to three times a week removes dead skin flakes and prevents regrowing hairs from becoming ingrown.
- Add moisture: well-cared-for, supple skin lets the hairs grow through more easily and looks more even.
- Stay in the right rhythm: epilate again as soon as the first fine hairs become visible. That way you stay continuously smooth, and the hairs become finer over time.
Since the hair is removed at the root, it takes three to four weeks to grow back – considerably longer than with shaving. If you do reach for the blade in between, it is worth taking a look at how to get shaving done right for smooth skin without spots and irritation.
Avoiding irritation and ingrown hairs
After epilating, the skin can be briefly reddened – that is normal and usually subsides within a few hours. Here is how you support it:
- Cool it: a cooling, soothing lotion or aloe vera provides relief right after use.
- Avoid irritants: on the day of use, skip perfume, self-tanner and intense sun on the freshly epilated skin.
- Wear loose clothing: friction from tight fabrics can additionally irritate freshly epilated skin.
Ingrown hairs occur when the regrowing hair does not break through the skin surface. Regular exfoliation is the best remedy here. If a spot remains strongly reddened, swollen or painfully inflamed, you should have it checked by a doctor when in doubt.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does epilating always hurt as much as the first time? No. The first session is usually the most intense. With regular use the hairs become finer, your skin gets used to it, and you feel the pulling much more weakly.
How long does the skin stay smooth after epilating? As a rule about three to four weeks, since the hair is removed together with the root and grows back more slowly than after shaving.
Can I epilate dry or wet skin? Both are possible. The epilator grips best on dry skin, while epilating in the warm shower with a waterproof device is perceived as more comfortable and less painful.
What helps best against ingrown hairs? Regular gentle exfoliation and skin that is well supplied with moisture. That way the skin surface stays clear, and regrowing hairs find their way out more easily.
