The
basic purpose of using an epilator or opting for waxing is removal of body
hair. The difference between the two is the method adopted for hair removal. Epilator is similiar to an electric shaver. It has a
rotating head consisting of metal tweezers which pulls out hair from the
follicles as it passes over the skin. Epilators come in varieties which can
either be used on dry skin only or on both wet and dry skin. Both rechargeable
and plug in varieties
of epilators are available in the market. Waxing, on the other hand, is a
process in which soft or hard wax is applied on the skin. The wax sticks to the
hair. In case of soft wax, a cotton wax strip is applied to the skin which is
ripped off to remove the hairs. In case of hard wax, there is no need for a
cotton strip as the hard wax can be ripped off by gripping its edge.
A
comparison between the two methods helps in deciding which one is better for
you.
Efficiency
Waxing
not only removes the body hairs but also eliminates dead skin cells, thereby
making the skin fresh and healthy. However, waxing tends to break some hairs
instead of removing completely. The residual hairs need to be removed by
tweezers.
Epilator
removes the hair right from its follicle. Even though the hair is removed
efficiently, the follicle tends to get damaged which causes the succeeding hair
to be weaker. Hairs can also be difficult to grasp by the epilator on a wet
skin.
Thus,
efficiency of waxing and epilator are same.
Pain
Epilator
can cause pain initially for people used to shaving. This is because shaving
removes hair only from the skin surface while epilator removes hair from the
follicle. However, with time you get used to epilator and the discomfort
becomes lesser and lesser.
Waxing
can also be painful initially but as the skin pores open up with time, the
sensitivity of the skin reduces.
Thus,
pain sensation depends upon individuals. Some may feel more discomfort with
epilator while some may be uncomfortable with waxing.
Long
lasting capability
Epilator
can keep the skin smooth for 2-4 weeks. Waxing, on the other hand, provides a
smooth skin which lasts for around 8 weeks. However, in order to wax again, the
hairs need to grow to 1/4th of an inch or above. In case of an
epilator, there is no need to wait because epilator can remove hairs as small
as 1/8th of an inch. However, the different rate of hair growth at
various areas of the body makes it necessary to use the epilator frequently to
maintain a hairless body.
Thus,
epilator can be used more frequently at any point of time while you need to
wait before you can wax your skin again.
