We all have our favorite techniques for removing unwanted body hair. Some of us like shaving, others tweezing, others waxing, but have you ever tried epilating?
It may sound kind of intimidating, and it may be at first, but it’s such a great method of removal that once you get the hang of it, you may never look back!
An epilator can be used on facial hair, armpit hair, leg hair, etc. All the standard places are up for hair removal, but the tool can also be used on more sensitive places, like on pubic hair and around the bikini area.
Removing hair from these areas using an epilator may be painful at first, but with proper precaution, you can do it like a pro!
So, how do you epilate pubic hair without pain? To painlessly epilate pubic hair, you’ll need a proper understanding of how to use the tool in this area. For those with low pain tolerance, you may want to use a numbing cream to reduce the chances of getting hurt. There are also tips (like not drinking caffeine) that can help reduce pain overall.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the ins and outs of epilating pubic hair so you can do it with a dry eye! Let’s dive in.
What Is An Epilator?
An epilator is an electronic tool used for hair removal. Think of it as a wheel with multiple tiny tweezers. These tweezers grab onto the hairs, plucking them from the root at super-fast speeds. Similar to waxing, it removes the hair from the follicle rather than cutting it down like a razor.
It may sound painful, but the truth is if you have experience dealing with waxing your body and facial hair, an epilator isn’t anything you would bat an eye at! It’s around the same pain level, and with continued use, you’ll grow accustomed to the feeling in the same way you would other hair removal techniques.
There are dry epilators, which can be used on dry skin, as well as wet epilators which can be brought in the shower or bath. They both work the same way and offer the same results, though some believe the latter is less painful of a process.
Here’s a great video by Dhwani Bhatt on YouTube where she breaks down everything you may be curious about surrounding epilators:
Using An Epilator On Pubic Hair Without Pain
The last thing you want to do is go about removing your pubic hair with an epilator completely blind! Here, we’ll break down the steps of epilating your bikini area so you can do it in confidence!
- Make sure your hair is an appropriate length. Like waxing, your hair can’t be too short or too long before you epilate it! Your hair should be ⅛ long. This length can be achieved by shaving your hair 3-4 days before you plan on epilating.
- Make sure the area is clean. This will avoid potential irritation, as well as ensure a smooth epilating process. For the pubic area, use an unscented light cleanser.
- Exfoliate. Exfoliating using a scrub is a great way to ensure a smooth epilating process! It loosens up the strands (avoiding ingrown hairs), and promotes a non-irritating growing-out process.
- Go slow. An epilator definitely isn’t the tool you’d pull out if you’re in a rush! Slow and steady wins the race. Not only will you avoid accidental ouchies, but it’ll be easier for you to be precise with your removal.
- Angle the tool. Hold the tool at a 90° angle to the skin for maximum hair removal and a more painless one too. Going at the skin at a different angle will make it difficult for the tool to remove the hair, resulting in a “yank” rather than a quick pluck.
- Go against the grain. This results in less irritation after the process is over, and allows the epilator easier access to the hair instead of fighting with your natural growth pattern to pluck it out!
- First stroke, ghost. Second stroke, close. You’ll want to go over your pubic area twice with your epilator for the best results. The first time you go over your skin, be very light- gently stroking it above the hairs rather than against them. This will get rid of the bulk of the hair. The second time you run the tool over, apply gentle pressure. This will clean the area up. This method leaves you with the least irritation during and after the process!
Using A Numbing Cream
If pain isn’t something you think you can handle, or if you’d rather err on the side of comfort rather than deal with the hurt, you always have the option of using a numbing cream during the process to hinder your pain receptors!
When using a numbing cream, you can follow the same exact process as we’ve listed above. Except, post-exfoliation, you’ll apply your numbing substance!
We’re particularly big fans of this topical anesthetic from Ebanel (you can find it here). Not only is it enriched with Vitamin E to keep skin healthy, but it lasts for an hour, and doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy or oily- which is ideal for the bikini area since it’s more prone to irritation!
Before you apply your ideal cream, make sure to patch test it to ensure you don’t get a reaction. We recommend doing this at least 24 hours before your hair removal to ensure you don’t have any late responses. If all is clear, go ahead and apply your cream.
Wait 10 minutes for it to absorb into the skin, and for the numbing sensation to start kicking in! Different creams have different peak times, but the average is around 20 minutes. This allows ample time for the product to soak in as well. Rub the substance in the opposite direction of growth for extra pain relief!
You also have the option of taking an oral pain reliever as well. Though it won’t necessarily mask the pain of the removal process as effectively as numbing cream, it can reduce potential redness and swelling post-epilation!
More Tips For A Pain-Free Epilation
Other than the removal process itself, you can also keep some of these tips in mind to keep the pain to a minimum.
These tips don’t just apply to the removal of pubic hair and the hair around the bikini area, but for whenever you decide to whip out your epilator to remove body hair!
- Don’t drink caffeine before your removal! And if you have, wait at least 6-8 hours before taking your epilator to your skin. Caffeine, even small amounts that are found in sodas and teas, can increase your skin sensitivity enough to make an already uncomfortable experience even more painful.
- Don’t do it 3 days before or after menstruating. Unfortunately, being on your period can increase the sensitivity of your skin around the area, causing a more tender pubic area and an increased chance of bleeding.
- Exfoliate in the days prior to the removal. Using an exfoliating loofah or body scrub around the pubic area for a couple of days prior to using an epilator, as well as the day of your hair removal session, will allow you to loosen your hairs up to make for a seamless removal. The softer the hairs are, the less likely you are to feel pain!
- Higher tweeze count, less pain. If you can, try to find an epilator with the highest tweeze count possible. The more tweezers, the less you have to run the epilator over your skin, and the easier time it will have to remove hairs! It’s the same mindset behind using a razor with more blades more a closer shave.
- Squeeze vs. taut – To reduce pain, you may want to squeeze the flesh of the area closer together to inhibit the pain receptors. Of course, if you do this, you must be careful with the speed of your tool. Go even slower, and be more careful. However, if you’re aiming for closer hair removal, pull the skin taut.
- Breathe – If it’s your first time using the tool, you may be nervous. This tension can cause an excess of pain- so go ahead and get zen before you take your epilator to your skin! Breathe, be cautious, and you’ll do just fine- scout’s honor!
Related Questions
Is epilating better than waxing?
Epilating isn’t necessarily better than waxing, nor is waxing better than epilating! It all depends on your preference. Both methods allow a close hair removal, and the hair grows back in at exactly the same speed and coarseness regardless of the method you choose.
Are there side effects to epilating your pubic hair?
If you epilate other areas of your body, you may notice that the pubic area tends to get a bit more irritated than say, your legs, or your armpits.
This is due to the fact that pubic hair is thicker and more textured than other body hair. To avoid this, soften the hair in the area with regular exfoliation, and epilate post-shower or bath to open your follicles up.
Related Articles
Best Numbing Creams For Waxing
How Long Should Pubic Hair Be To Wax?
Can You Put Aloe Vera Gel On Your Vag After Shaving?
