Epilator vs Waxing | Best Hair Advisor (2024)

While smooth skin has a universal appeal, the methods used to achieve that end result can vary significantly. Each method has their own pros and cons, and it can be difficult to decide on what really is “best” for our needs.

In this article we’re going to focus on two popular options: epilation and waxing. We’ll look at everything from how long the results last to how much they hurt. By the end you’ll know everything in this ultimate epilator vs waxing showdown!

What is an Epilator?

Let’s start with the basics. What does an epilator actually do? How does it achieve its end result? The best description of an epilator is an electrical device that possesses anywhere between 20 and 100 tiny pairs of tweezers on a small roller. As the epilator is run smoothly over the skin this roller turns, plucking out dozens of hairs at a time.

Importantly, the hairs come out with their roots attached. This is in stark contrast to shaving, where the root remains. What this means is that epilation results on a far longer hair-free period than you would experience with shaving alone.

What is Waxing?

Waxing is typically far better understood as it is such a common hair removal method.

Warm, softened wax is smoothed onto the area to be treated.

A strip of strong fabric is firmly placed over the area before the wax cools and solidifies. I

t is then quickly ripped off, taking with it the hairs targeted.

Importantly, the waxing strip is normally removed in the opposite direction to hair growth for maximum impact. Like epilation hairs are removed with their root intact, rather than leaving it in the hair follicle.

Is an Epilator or Waxing More Painful?

Let’s be brutally honest from the outset; plucking out multiple hairs at the same time is unlikely to be most people’s idea of fun.

Indeed, the pain experienced by some women has been enough to convince them that both waxing and epilation were a “once in a lifetime” experience, never to be repeated.

Other women, in contrast, find these methods mildly uncomfortable. Indeed, the benefits far outweigh the temporary pain for many of us.

Broadly speaking using an epilator is considered more painful than waxing. While both pull out hairs from the root, the process of having dozens of hairs continually plucked from your skin over an extended period of time makes epilation far more unpleasant for many people than the sudden impact of a waxing strip being torn off.

It should be remembered, however, that our pain thresholds can vary quite significantly. What rarely bothers someone else could cause you great discomfort. Alternatively you might experience one of these techniques and wonder what all the fuss is about. Take any discussions about pain with a pinch of salt until you have personally experienced them.

Winner: Waxing

How Long Do the Effects Last?

Waxing and epilators both remove hairs in a similar manner. Whole hairs are plucked from the follicle – root and all. As a result, the effects of both methods are typically equal. In most cases you should expect 3-4 weeks of smooth skin before further treatment will be required.

This estimate does of course assume that a proper job was done to start with. It can take time to learn how to use an epilator effectively the first time.

It can also take time to develop the self-discipline required, as the discomfort some women experience results in cutting corners during epilation, such as only addressing each skin area once, irrespective of results.

This can lead to some hairs being left in situ, resulting in a decidedly fuzzy or fluffy look some time before a wax.

Winner: Draw

Ease of Application

Epilators are almost exclusively a home hair removal technique. Waxing can be done both at home or in a professional salon. For those who struggle with home hair removal, this can immediately make waxing a more appealing option; it’s a lot easier to sit back and let a professional remove your hair than it is to do it yourself. Consider how much easier it is to receive an injection at the doctors than it would be to do it to yourself.

Putting this element aside for a moment, if you can tolerate the sensation, epilators actually have a lot going for them. Most models can be used either on wet or dry skin.

The area to be epilated requires no specialist treatment before hair removal, unless you suffer from particularly sensitive skin. After-treatment essentially consists of wiping away any hairs remaining on the surface of your skin, giving the epilator a quick clean and likely applying a cooling balm to your skin to minimize irritation.

Waxing, in contrast, can quite honestly be a bit more messy. Skin should be dry for treatment. Unless you opt to use pre-waxed strips then you’ll need to warm up the waxing substance and get out your fabric strips. Post-treatment some wax can remain on the skin, giving it an odd “shiny” feel that normally must be removed with a specialist solution.

While there’s not necessarily a huge difference between the two methods, it could be argued here that epilation is probably the easier method to consider at home. Of course, if you opt for a professional wax at your local beauty salon then this point is largely nullified.

Winner: Epilator

Epilators Vs Waxing for Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs are a sadly common occurrence for many of us. Ingrown hairs can prove to be at best uncomfortable, and at worst downright painful, the most extreme of which can require medical assistance to resolve. Sadly, hair removal of any form can increase the chances of ingrown hairs.

One of the most common causes of ingrown hairs is when hairs break off just below the surface of the skin. As they regrow they can lose their way, resulting in them pressing against the under surface of the skin, perhaps even starting to grow into a coil shape.

Firstly, the good news. Shaving is perhaps the worst perpetrator when it comes to ingrown hairs, as the method very deliberately cuts off hairs at or just below the surface of the skin.

Hair removal techniques that also remove the hair’s root are far less likely to cause such issues. Both waxing and epilation are two great examples of this. Consequently both methods are likely to be better than shaving for saving you from ingrown hairs.

When it comes to trying to compare epilators and waxing things can be a little more difficult. The truth is that since the method of hair removal is largely the same, any differences are generally down to technique.

In waxing, for example, hairs are normally torn off against the direction of growth. This can place undue pressure on the hair strand, and can result in breakage. Using an epilator generally requires far less “skill” to master, and so is less likely to produce these broken hairs.

While some would disagree, the likelihood is that epilation is less likely than waxing to produce ingrown hairs overall, though there will always be the odd exception now and again.

Winner: Epilator

What are the Costs Involved?

All forms of hair removal cost money, but which costs more? While professional waxing can be eye-wateringly expensive, waxing yourself at home can be very cost effective indeed. Both tubs of wax and waxing strips are typically low cost items. Pre-waxed strips are available from most grocery stores or online at companies like Amazon, and for just a few dollars a pop.

Epilators, in contrast, are a rather larger investment. It’s easy enough to pay $50-100 for a well-known brand. That’s quite a commitment for many people.

The important thing here, however, is to consider not just one-off costs but also the ongoing costs of hair removal over the next year or more. That epilator may seem expensive initially, but it can provide potentially years of smooth, hair-free skin. Those low-cost waxing strips, that you’ll need to keep replacing, could actually end up far more expensive over the long run.

This makes it quite difficult to necessarily say which is more expensive, as it’ll depend on how often your hair needs removing, whether you stick with your epilator, which brands you favour and so on.

If you’re on a very tight budget right now then consider waxing at home as it has far lower initial costs. If longer-term costs are more important to you then consider the one-off investment of an epilator, which is likely to pay for itself many times over in the years to come.

Winner: Draw

Conclusion

Epilators have a huge number of benefits, including fewer ingrown hairs, practicality and ease of use. They are, however, far more expensive to buy than waxing strips and many women find the discomfort far too much. This can be a perfect storm; spending a pretty penny on a new hair removal device, only to give up on it after the first treatment.

We’re all different, so what is best for you might not be what is best for someone else. Both methods have their obvious strengths and weaknesses and really only you can decide which technique is likely to suit you best.