If you stand in front of a shop window with epilators and are greedy, wondering whether to buy or not to buy, then stop! An epilator is a must-have item in every woman's arsenal. Can you imagine how many frivolous things you can not commit if you don't get it? So, shell out, and for now we'll tell you how to choose the right epilator.
On the way to perfection, every woman gets unwanted hair on her face, legs, and intimate area. For many years, women fought her with ordinary razors. Today, compact devices are in a hurry to help them - epilators, which allow them to get rid of hair for a much longer period than shaving. The selection of these devices in modern stores is huge. There are budget devices up to 1000 rubles, but there are many professional ones from 40 thousand. How do they differ, how not to make the wrong choice? You will find out about this by reading the material that was collected bit by bit from the reviews of technology, according to user reviews.
How epilators work
The principle of operation of the simplest electromechanical epilator is reduced to the removal of hairs on the female body along with the bulb by mechanical action. It is based on several pairs of metal discs (tweezers). Their number in each model is from 5 to 3 dozen pairs, the rotation speed is also different. Rotating at high speed and touching, they grab the hairs and remove them from the root. A better effect is achieved than after shaving, when the hair begins to grow even faster. But there are also advanced laser and photoepilators. They are more expensive, have a different effect: they have a thermal effect on the hair follicle, killing it with a low-power discharge. Let's figure out how they differ.
Electromechanical - the most affordable and popular epilators. Their head consists of a drum on which disks or tweezers are placed in a staggered manner. As they rotate, they capture and remove hair from the root.
Laser affect the skin with infrared light, which heats the bulb and destroys it. Using the laser requires skill, but the pain, the risk of irritation and allergic reactions is minimal. Professional salon devices are powerful and efficient, so you can't expect a salon-like effect from a home laser epilator. It will take more than one procedure to get rid of hair completely.
Photoepilators They are similar to laser ones, but unlike them, not a laser is used to heat the follicle, but a high-pulse light flux. The principle of operation is based on the absorption of light energy by the hair rods and their heating. As with laser hair removal, several procedures are required for a visible result and its consolidation. The effect after a series of procedures lasts for several months.
Epilator types
There are several types of epilators depending on the device.
Tweezers
These epilators are based on small tweezers that grip the hair. There may be 20 or even 60 of them.Most women consider 16 pairs (32 tweezers) to be the golden mean, providing optimal hair removal in terms of discomfort / time spent on the procedure. The more tweezers, the stronger the pain. On the other hand, with 20 forceps, the epilator removes hair almost painlessly, but works slowly.
Disk
The pioneers in the fight against hair are outdated but still in use. Their working surface is equipped with rotating discs, which capture hairs, removing them from the root. They are much cheaper than tweezers, but inferior in the quality of hair removal. Painful sensations from their use are not encouraging either.
Hybrid
A type of electromechanical epilator with a trimmer attachment that limits the effect on the skin, does not remove the hair follicle.
Laser
More sophisticated professional hair removal devices with high efficiency. It is based on a laser beam that heats up the follicle: it collapses and the hair falls out. These epilators give a long-term effect (up to several months). This period increases after each repeated procedure.
Photoepilators
They also warm the bulb by absorbing light energy into the hair follicles. The photoepilator at regular intervals emits a luminous flux, which heats the bulb, destroying it.
The advantages of the latter two types, compared to electromechanical types, are practically painless procedure. Minus - the price exceeds the cost of disc or tweezers dozens of times.
Selection options
When choosing an epilator, factors are assessed that determine the price and capabilities of the technique.
Tweezers material
Tweezers or epilator discs can be made of metal or ceramic. There is no significant difference in the quality of hair removal. Metal are more reliable, and ceramic, according to women, cause less pain. You have to try and just compare in practice.
Number of tweezers
Amounts from 16 to 60 pieces. The more tweezers, the better, the faster hair removal occurs. The maximum number of them can be chosen by ladies with a high pain threshold and a "thick" wallet - such devices are more expensive, and they bring more suffering during the procedure. Saving is also not worth it. Epilators with the minimum number of forceps will take longer to process. Epilators with 32 tweezers are optimal in terms of price and level of pain during the procedure.
Number of speeds
An important criterion. There can be from 1 to 3. Most modern devices have 2 modes of operation. The first is for fine and short hairs. The second one is for long and / or hard ones.
Power source / type
Epilators can be powered by mains, built-in battery or have a hybrid type of power supply, working both from the mains and from the battery. You need to choose based on the terms of use. If this is a stationary device that you use at home, take it with mains power. A battery-powered mobile is useful for travelers. The best would be a plug-and-play device. These epilators are versatile and can be used anywhere.
Battery type
Modern epilators are equipped with two types of rechargeable batteries - nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion. The advantage of the latter is that there is no "memory effect". They do not lose capacity when charging the device until the battery is completely discharged. They last longer and charge faster.
Operating time and battery charge
An important metric for stand-alone battery-only devices or for mixed-power devices that will often be used autonomously. It is unpleasant if the device suddenly turns off during the procedure, and it takes an hour or more to charge it.
Application area
A safe process of hair removal, minimizing painful sensations is possible when choosing the right attachments for it, which the manufacturer offers. There are special attachments for armpits, bikini areas, etc.
Impact area
The concept is not identical to the scope.Refers to technical characteristics. Measured in square centimeters, it indicates the distance processed in one flash (for laser and photoepilators). The higher this indicator, the less time it will take for the procedure.
Interval between flashes
An important characteristic of laser and photoepilators. Indicates the time interval between flashes. The average laser epilator makes 2 flashes per second.
Skin color sensor
Some epilators are equipped with a skin color sensor to select the optimal safe mode for your skin type. This prevents any negative effects on the epidermis, including the risk of burns.
Cartridge resource
The cartridge of the laser and photo epilator has a limited resource of work - the number of flashes that it can issue. The higher this parameter, the less often you will need to replace the cartridge.
Noise level
An important criterion when buying an epilator. Like any electrical appliance, the epilator makes a sound during operation that is not always pleasant to the ear. This does not affect the quality of the procedure, but it can spoil the nerves pretty much.
Pain relief methods
You can try to level the unpleasant sensations from the procedure using one of the following methods of pain relief offered by modern epilators.
Cooling
For this, an additional nozzle is used, previously frozen in the freezer. By pressing against the skin during the procedure, it dulls the pain.
Blowing
The additional nozzle is pre-frozen. The device has an air blowing system, the flow of which, passing through the nozzle, is cooled.
Vibration mode
Light massage effect due to the built-in massage brush.
Stretching system (precision attachment)
It also needs an additional attachment that fixes and slightly stretches the skin, which makes it easier to pull out the hairs, while not experiencing severe pain.
None of these options can take away the pain. They only dull it to varying degrees. But any of these methods minimizes the risk of irritation and skin rashes after the procedure. Therefore, the advantage of devices with such functions is obvious.
Additional functions
Epilators also have additional functions: they do not significantly affect the quality of the procedure, but they can greatly simplify it and make it comfortable.
Moisture protection
The moisture-proof housing of the device allows you to use it in damp rooms, apply shaving foam, which also gives an analgesic effect, ensures better hair removal without the risk of microtraumas. But the device is still electric: even if the moisture protection function is indicated in its documentation, you should not completely lower it under water. This is fraught with failure, electric shock. Maximum you can rinse the nozzle under running water, unless otherwise indicated in the technical passport.
Floating head
Like a regular shaving razor, the epilator can be equipped with an attachment that allows the head to tilt to follow the contours of the body. This gives a tighter fit of the head with high-quality hair removal in hard-to-reach areas.
Backlight
The prerogative of expensive devices. They have a built-in LED directed to the surface to be treated. It is very convenient when performing the procedure in poorly lit rooms, you can constantly monitor the result.
Double epilation head
A useful thing for ladies whose day is scheduled by the minute. Reduces the procedure time in half with more forceps and with the expansion of the affected area.
Equipment
The epilator comes standard with an instruction manual, a brush for cleaning a non-removable head, a battery and a charger (if the power is autonomous). The extended package may include different attachments, a transport bag, a gel glove, but such epilators are more expensive. Therefore, decide if you are willing to pay for additional features, if you need them. Consider the possible types of attachments included.
Types of attachments
- Working width limiter. A find for lovers of intimate haircuts.Regulates the area of the working area, so you can draw clear boundaries along the hairline.
- Bikini and underarm attachments. The bikini and underarm areas are the most sensitive. Attachments are needed to reduce the negative effects on the skin of these areas. Their protective cover partially covers the tweezers, thus reducing the intensity of the effect on the skin.
- Nozzle for beginners. It is useful for those who are just mastering epilation. Like bikini and underarm attachments, it limits the tweezers. The effectiveness of the procedure decreases, the time increases, but there is no pain shock. Later, gradually, as you get used to the epilation process, you can refuse such a nozzle and carry out the procedure less often.
- Attachment for removing hair from the face. Includes one row of tweezers for shaping eyebrows and removing soft hairs above the upper lip.
- Spot hair removal attachment. A type of attachment for removing hair from the face.
- Trimmer. The razors of this attachment are limited to the mesh and do not remove hair from the root. It is useful for caring for the intimate area of girls with a low pain threshold.
- Peeling attachment. Removes ingrown hairs, keratinized epidermis. The effectiveness is increased when used with special scrubs. Gives a visible result - skin rejuvenation.
In addition, the device can be equipped with anesthetic attachments, which we have already mentioned above.
Rating of the best manufacturers of epilators
Not many manufacturers are engaged in the production of such equipment. Throwing away frankly Chinese "nouns", I will name 4 brands. They produce quality equipment, familiar to every woman. These are Braun, Philips, Panasonic and Rowenta. In addition to them, the best manufacturers of laser and photoepilators: E-Swin, Rio, Remington are a separate unit. Each of them has different models adapted for different purposes - from hair removal from legs to intimate areas or face. I propose to figure out what is the advantage of each manufacturer, why millions of women choose them.
Braun
A German brand that manufactures all types of devices in this group. They are distinguished by reliability, high efficiency, and long service life. His line includes devices for different purposes, for all skin types. A feature of any Braun epilator is an attractive design, ergonomics: the device is comfortable to hold in your hand. I will highlight the following: 9-521 Silk-epil 9, 5-500 Silk-epil SensoSmart, IPL BD 5001. To this group I will add the Braun FG 1100 SilkFinish female trimer - a good example for an intimate haircut or eyebrow shaping.
Philips
The Dutch brand, the leader in the epilator segment for the third decade. Devices of this brand are reliable, wear-resistant, take care of women's skin - assembly materials are hypoallergenic. As the main disadvantages of Philips epilators in comparison with Braun, users note noise during operation, limited functionality (not all of them are autonomous, they have attachments included). But the manufacturer's lineup includes multifunctional devices. For example, models: HP6420 Satinelle, BRE635 Satinelle Advanced, BRE650 Satinelle Prestige. If we talk about photoepilators, then the BRI956 Lumea Prestige model is popular.
Panasonic
A Japanese brand that has been giving us “ideas for life” for 100 years, using best practices and promoting innovative technologies. His samples are distinguished by their bright design and versatility. Panasonic electromechanical epilators have a special head structure, an arrangement of discs, tweezers. Even small hairs are removed from hard-to-reach places. Pain is a thing of the past for most women using this manufacturer's epilators. The models have a complex of functions for pain relief and minimizing the risk of skin damage. The price is higher than that of direct competitors. The best models of 2019 are ES-ED94, ES-EU20, ES-EL2A, Panasonic ES-WH80 Photoepilator.
Rowenta
Reliable epilators of this German brand cope well with hair in all areas thanks to the advanced configuration and anesthesia system. They have a microcontact system and movable nozzles, which also provide a gentle effect on the skin.The company focuses on the production of laser and photoepilators, but it has good electromechanical models in its arsenal. For example, EP8050, EP5660. The disadvantage of the devices of this brand is their weight: it is inconvenient to hold in your hand for a long time.
E-swin
French company, leader in sales of photoepilators. Its devices are notable for their lightness, beautiful design, excellent ergonomics. The hair removal quality is impeccable. This follows from user reviews, the availability of quality certificates for each device. The real long-term result is the advantage of the E-Swin models. The procedure will have to be repeated only once every 2 months. The disadvantages of this manufacturer's equipment for an ordinary user are the price, the complexity of operation. The devices are large, they are professional, you need skills in handling them.
Rio
Unlike the E-Swin, the American brand Rio produces equipment that is accessible to everyone. The quality of epilators does not suffer from this. They meet all international safety standards, have a beautiful design and good ergonomics. The procedure is painless, the result lasts for several weeks. Popular models: YES Laser, Beauty Go Laser. The brand's lineup includes classic electromechanical designs (Rio Eped).
Remington
A German brand offering photoepilators with the ability to fine tune. If used correctly, 1 procedure per month will be enough. Top models: i-LIGHT Prestige IPL6750, IPL6780 i-Light Hair Removal. The manufacturer also has good electromechanical samples. For example, EP7010, EP7030.
The prices of the brands are almost the same. The cost of the device depends on the type (electromechanical, laser or photoepilator), configuration and additional functionality. There are budget (from 2 thousand rubles) and top professional, the price of which exceeds 50 thousand rubles.
Council. Don't chase expensive top-end devices. The average woman needs an epilator from the mainstream segment. The main thing is to understand what you want to get from the device and tell the sales consultant about it in order to choose the equipment for yourself. What you should definitely not do when buying is to save. Devices up to 1,000 rubles are usually short-lived and often beyond repair.
