by Garrick Dee | Last Updated:
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For most women, the default option for hair removal would be shaving. It the grand scheme of things, shaving makes a lot of sense.
In this article, we’ll be looking at an alternative method – epilating and see how it differs from shaving.
Of all the hair removal methods, shaving is perhaps the most cost-effective, shallow learning curve and the least painful.
One big issue with shaving would be the frequency. Depending on how fast your hair grows, you’ll need to shave once or twice a week (sometimes more).
In this article, we’ll be comparing two popular and cheapest options – epilators and shavers.
It is a detailed guide where we’ll be looking at the pros, cons, and which method would suit you best.
Hair removal methods
There are two methods of hair removal – Epilation and depilation. The first method involves removing hair below the surface or from its roots. These methods include epilating, waxing, threading, and sugaring.
Depilation is the process of removing hair from the surface. Shaving is an excellent example of depilation as it cuts hair follicles, leaving the root intact.
One significant advantage of Epilation would be the long-lasting results. Epilating, for example, can last for weeks on end.
I hope this article will give you an informed decision on which method will work best for you. If you have any experience with either, please drop a comment below.
The deal with epilating
A lot of women say that epilating will bring a level of pain to the table. But don’t mistake this for a torture device that will bring you to tears, although some women say that it’s’s pure torture. Again this would depend on your tolerance for pain.
It would be prudent to expect a level of pain because this device plucks hair instead of cutting it on the surface.
Prep and technique
Another factor that determines the success or failure of epilating would be what you do before and after the process.
Prepping for shaving and epilating are similar. These include cleaning the area to remove any surface dirt and dead skin cells.
The techniquefor epilating is much different than shaving. You’ll have to hold the epilator at a 90-degree angle from the skin to give the tweezers maximum contact on the surface.
Don’t put too much weight on it and go slow. Doing so will allow the tweezers to pluck hair efficiently so you’ll do fewer passes.
Put too much weight, and you’ll risk the epilator pinching the skin.
Using the right settings
Most good quality epilators like Braun and Philips come with a 2-speed setup. The lower setting would be ideal for thinner hair growth. And the higher setting would be for thicker growth.
Long term solution
You’ll notice that the pain will be worth it because the results will last longer, up to weeks on end.
When done right, you’ll be epilating between 2 and 4 times a month. But you may need to epilate every other day during the initial phase to remove hair and to master proper technique.
Advantages
1. Longer lasting results
Using an epilator will hands-down keep hair away for a more extended period.
How much longer?
That would vary depending on how fast your hair grows. Results may differ from a week to a month.
2. Smoother results
An epilator will pull hair from the root, so results will be much smoother versus a blade that just cuts hair at the surface.
Take note that if you’re using an epilator for the first time, there will be an adjustment period.
Your skin may have rough patches and redness, but that’ll be just a first-time event (usually).
As your skin gets used to the plucking, it won’t be as painful as the first time.
3. Thinner hair growth
Hair usually grows back thinner using an epilator versus a razor because, again, it is pulled from the roots.
And since hair is less noticeable, your legs and armpits will look better.
You’ll have more confidence wearing that two-piece swimsuit for summer or that cute tank top you’d always want to show off.
4. No more dark shadows
One significant disadvantage of shaving is it does not altogether remove hair. Surface hair follicles will remain.
On armpits, it’ll have a shadow effect that can be embarrassing.
5. No more stubble
Even though it’s’s more painful, epilators pull hair out from the root. This means no more prickly stubble that can be both uncomfortable and unsightly.
A lot of women would prefer to epilate their underarms because this area is susceptible. The difference in terms of smoothness is night and day.
When hair grows, it comes out softer and won’t have that same prickly post-shave sensation—ditto with epilating the pubic area.
6. Great for sensitive skin
If using a dragging a multi-blade irritates your skin, then epilating is an excellent alternative to try.
7. More cost-effective
Using an epilator will definitely be more cost-effective. Whereas you’ll have to continually buy cartridge refills, an epilator will last for years, depending on the quality. Make sure that you purchase something of good quality.
8. No more razor burn
Since you’re not raking your skin with 5 pieces of sharp metal, there will be no more razor burn.
Disadvantages
1. Expect pain
First-time users should expect a level of pain using an epilator. Whether or not the experience will be bearable will depend on your tolerance for pain.
If you have a high pain threshold, the higher the chance, you’ll use this device long term.
2. May cause ingrown hair
There is a risk of the tweezers not completely pulling the hair from the root. This would depend on the quality of the epilator you’re using and the technique. So it is essential to buy a good epilator and learn how to properly use it.
One way to counteract this would be to regularly exfoliate and apply moisturizer after epilating. Also, avoid overuse as this can irritate and dry up the skin.
3. Expect redness and bumpiness (at least initially)
During the first few sessions, expect some redness and bumpiness. Expect this to subside as your skin gets used to it. One of the big reasons why experts recommend epilating at night is to allow time for the redness to subside.
4. Epilators can be challenging to clean
This will be subjective, depending on the brand you use. Make sure to choose an epilator with removable tweezers that you can wash. A cleaning brush will also come in handy to remove stubborn hair follicles left on tweezers.
5. Noisy
Lower end epilators can be really annoyingly loud. If you have kids, this device might scare them.
6. Takes longer than shaving
Aside from the pain, another downside to epilating would be the time it takes to complete the process. It will take longer than shaving. To give you an example, epilating both legs can take up to an hour. But as you master the proper technique, that timeframe can go down to 45 minutes or less.
What’s the deal in shaving?
Of the two hair removal methods, shaving is hands down easier. It has a shallower learning curve and faster to do. But the hair will grow back faster, usually in a day or two. So you’ll have to shave more frequently.
For some women, this can be an issue because of the frequency. If you have hairy legs, arms, or pits, it can be a chore to drag a razor over and over.
This can lead to razor burn and irritation, especially in sensitive areas like the armpit and pubic area.
Another issue with shaving is how the hair grows back. Since blades slick and cut surface hair, it will leave a prickly feeling that can be uncomfortable.
This won’t be much of an issue on legs, but in sensitive areas like the armpit and groin, it can get uncomfortable.
It is important to remember that what you do before and after shaving also plays an important role. These include taking a hot shower, exfoliating, etc. before shaving and applying witch hazel and moisturizing cream afterward.
Advantages
1. Quick and easy to do
Shaving is one of the fastest ways of removing hair on any part of the body. It won’t take more than 10 minutes to shave one leg. Compare it to an epilator that’ll take around 30 minutes. It’s’s night and day.
2. Not as painful
Using a razor wouldn’t be as painful as using an epilator to pluck the hair. Manufacturers like Schick and Gillette have done an excellent job at their blades that it is almost idiot-proof.
3. Great to use on underarms and legs
Two of the best areas to use razors would be flat surfaces like the armpit and legs. Razors will do quick work of these two areas. If you find yourself lacking time to epilate, shaving can be a stop-gap solution.
Disadvantages
1. Hair grows back faster (sometimes thicker)
Perhaps the biggest downside of shaving would be the rate that hair grows back. According to some women, it becomes thicker. Since the razor only cuts hair above the skin, expect to shave again after a day or so.
2. Can be an eyesore
Another downside of shaving is it leaves behind stubble. You’ll see small dots on your skin.
It can be an eyesore on the armpit area and, to a much lesser degree, the legs. Not a big issue if you have light-colored hair, but for brunettes, it can be one.
3. Risk of cuts, bumps, irritation and razor burn
One of the most significant risks of dragging 3 to 5 sharp blades on the skin is the occasional nick and cut. If you’re not careful shaving, this is an inevitability that is preventable with the right prep and technique.
It can also be a source of irritation and razor burn, especially in highly sensitive areas like the groin and armpit.
4. Cost of refills will add up
Cartridge refills of women’s razors aren’t cheap. Combine that to the high turnover (you’ll need to replace it every 2 or 3 uses max), and you’ll potentially spend hundreds to thousands of dollars in a 5 to 10 year period.
Real-world tests
No, let’s look at several examples in the real world of women comparing the results of shaving and epilating.
Case study 1: The Epilating vs. Shaving Experiment Fail
In this article, External Voyager did an experiment where she used a razor on one leg and an epilator on another.
She shares that initially, she thought that shaving was better because it looked better after a day. However, on the second day onwards, the shaved leg did not look worst.
Shaving it every other day meant little irritation. The clincher was her husband’s “”yowl of pain”” when he accidentally rubbed his leg on her shaved leg. There it was, epilating won.
Case study 2: I Quitted Shaving and Moved on to Epilation
Danisa shares her experience using an epilator versus a razor over 8 years. One of the reasons that drew her to shaving was the absence of pain. Sure there were occasional cuts but fortunately no scars.
But she didn’t like how she had to shave once every 2 days or so. It isn’t time-consuming, but since you’re doing it more often, time spent will add up.
Epilating, on the other hand, while painful at the beginning isn’t as time-consuming because you don’t need to do it as often.
Shaving looks excellent initially, but over the long haul, the benefits of epilating stand out. You will not see black dots on your underarms. The skin also feels smoother for longer. In the end, the advantages of an epilator far outweigh bad features.
Epilator vs. Shaving: The Verdict
I hope this article helps you know the fundamental differences between shaving and epilating.
The bottom line is shaving brings a lot of convenience to the table because it’s easier to do and faster.
However, expect to spend more over the long haul.
There’s also a risk of irritation and razor burn. The results also won’t be as long-lasting as it would be using an epilator.
Using an epilator is all about using the right technique and pain tolerance. The results will be well worth it because you’ll have smoother, better-looking skin, and it’ll last for weeks on end.
If you have any more tips to share, please drop them in the comment sections below.
