Epilation and waxing have only one thing in common—both are popular hair-removal techniques that remove hair at the root level and are used by millions of women around the world. However, the similarity stops here, as the two methods are completely different from each other in terms of the process as well as the outcome.
How does waxing work?
Waxing is the process of removing body hair by applying thin layers of warm wax onto the skin, in the direction of hair growth. The layer is then stripped off immediately using a strip of paper or cloth.
What is an epilator?
Epilators are small, handheld electronic devices that pluck out body hair conveniently and effectively, sans the mess involved in waxing. While waxing has been around for ages, epilators have caught on in the past couple of decades, owing to their convenience and mess-free operation.
Key differences between epilation and waxing are listed below, to help you make an informed decision when choosing a hair-removal method that suits your lifestyle and budget.
- Waxing, as you know, is messy. Handling the hot wax, maintaining its temperature through the process, handling the spatula and the strips while also ensuring that you’re getting the hair out properly—all of this is best handled by an expert; which means you have to visit the salon every time you need waxing done.
- The epilator vs wax debate comes to a gridlock when it comes to the topic of pain. With the advent of chocolate and Rica wax, waxing is not as painful as it used to be with normal wax. Similarly, while epilation is generally associated with pain, modern-day devices come equipped with attachments for massaging the skin during or after the process. Additionally, epilating on the wet skin using waterproof epilators is believed to be even less painful.
- While some women shriek at the thought of epilation and would prefer waxing anytime, others dread the process of applying warm wax on the skin and thus prefer epilation.
- Epilators are available as corded as well as battery-powered models, and the latter can be conveniently and safely used in bath and on wet skin.
- Evidently, epilation is a faster and more convenient hair-removal method, and unlike waxing; it can be done at any time of the day—wherever you are.
- Epilation is a cleaner method, but you do need to deal with the epilated hair. When you wax, the hair sticks to the waxing strip, which can simply be rolled up and trashed.
- In the long run, epilation may prove to be more cost-effective than waxing. To figure this out, list down the cost of all your waxing sessions over a period of six months to one year, and see how the expense fares against the one-time investment in a quality epilator.
- Epilators are pocket-sized, stylish devices that can easily fit in a woman’s handbag.
- Waxing removes not only unwanted hair, but also dead skin cells, and some skin care experts believe this is to be a big advantage. Yet others believe that epilation is better, as it leaves the skin’s top layer intact.
Which method do you use to get rid of unwanted hairs?
