Epilator ads often promote wet epilation as the best method, but my personal experience with years of epilating has made me less convinced. However, it doesn’t mean that dry epilation is the only ideal method for everyone.
Now, the question arises: should you epilate wet or dry? In general, I recommend dry epilation, as it tends to be the most efficient method. However, there are advantages to wet epilation too. To help you make the right decision, let’s explore the benefits of each method in detail.
Benefits of Wet Epilation
Pain Relief
Wet epilation offers pain relief as one of its main benefits. When you epilate in water, such as during a shower or bath, the warmth of the water helps to relax your body and soothe your skin. This relaxation can diminish the perception of pain, making the epilation process feel more tolerable.
According to the gate control theory of pain, your nervous system is unable to process multiple sensations simultaneously. When your skin is exposed to the sensation of water flowing over it, it can reduce the processing of pain signals while you pull out hairs from the root. This means that wet epilation can effectively distract your senses from the discomfort associated with hair removal.
If you’re looking for an easier way to manage the pain of epilation, opting for wet epilation is a recommended approach.
Easy Cleanup and Convenient Hairs Removal
Epilating can result in hairs flying all over the place, creating a messy aftermath. However, when you choose to epilate in the shower or bath, cleaning up becomes a breeze. All you need to do is rinse away the hairs, sending them down the drain effortlessly.
Hassle-free Epilator Cleaning
If you own a wet epilator, cleaning the device becomes much easier. You can simply clean the epilator with water after use. On the other hand, dry epilators require a more meticulous cleaning process. You have to use a dry brush to remove hair clumps, followed by sanitizing everything with alcohol.
With wet epilation, you can enjoy a hassle-free cleaning experience, making the entire hair removal process more convenient.
Benefits of Dry Epilation
Enhanced Efficiency
Dry epilation offers superior efficiency compared to wet epilation. When you epilate in the shower or bath, the presence of water can weigh down the hairs, making them more difficult to grasp. Additionally, water creates a slippery surface for the hair.
By opting for dry epilation on dry skin and hair, you can experience better grip. This allows your epilator to capture a larger number of hairs in a single pass, reducing frustration and minimizing the time spent using the epilator.
Longer-Lasting Results
Wet hair tends to be weaker and more prone to breakage. During epilation, the goal is to remove hairs from the root to achieve longer-lasting results. However, if the hairs break near the surface due to their weakness, the outcome is similar to shaving, resulting in stubble growth the following day.
Dry epilation significantly reduces the likelihood of hair breakage, ensuring that you avoid stubble and enjoy longer-lasting smoothness.
Improved Visibility
Have you ever emerged from a dimly lit shower after shaving your legs only to discover a significant patch of missing hair? If so, you understand the importance of adequate lighting when removing body hair.
With dry epilation, you have the flexibility to epilate in well-lit areas of your home. This allows you to choose the best-lit spot and ensure that you don’t overlook a single hair during the process.
No Charging Hassles
Life can get busy, and it’s easy to forget to charge our epilators. However, if you have a corded epilator or one that can be used while plugged into a power source, this inconvenience is eliminated. You can simply perform dry epilation while the epilator remains connected.
On the other hand, with wet epilation, the combination of water and a power source poses the risk of electrocution, making it an unviable option.
Increased Entertainment Options
While listening to music in the shower can be enjoyable, dry epilation opens up a wider range of entertainment possibilities. You can create a comfortable setup with a large bath towel and indulge in activities like watching Netflix in your living room.
Engaging in entertainment during the epilation process can help divert your attention from the monotony and pain, increasing your likelihood of sticking with the routine for the long term and achieving the desired results.
Advantages of Wet-Dry Epilators
Cordless Convenience
In the past, we experienced the hassle of being tied down by cords, whether it was with phones or other appliances. With wet-dry epilators, you can enjoy the freedom of cordless operation. You can take your epilator anywhere without worrying about finding a power source.
Exfoliation Benefits
Even if you don’t plan on epilating in the shower, it’s recommended to take a shower and exfoliate your skin before epilation to prevent ingrown hairs. Many high-end wet-dry epilators come with exfoliation brushes or attachments that make it easy to remove dead skin cells before epilation. This adds a touch of luxury to your experience.
Easy Cleaning
Wet-dry epilators are designed to be submerged in water, making them effortless to clean. Instead of meticulously removing hairs from the epilator head and sanitizing it with alcohol, you can simply wash it with soap under warm water.
Pain Management
If you’re new to epilation or prefer a less intense experience, using your epilator in water can help manage the pain. This option is not available with dry epilators, so it’s worth considering when choosing which type to buy.
Improved Lighting
While dry epilation allows you to choose well-lit areas for the procedure, sometimes even the best lighting isn’t sufficient. Many modern wet-dry epilators feature LED lights that illuminate the skin being epilated. This is particularly useful when dealing with fine or light-colored hairs that are difficult to see.
Epilating Tips for Wet Epilation
Prioritize Safety
Before attempting wet epilation, ensure that your epilator is specifically designed for use in water to avoid any electrical hazards. Read the manual thoroughly and follow all safety precautions to prevent the risk of electric shock.
Charge Your Epilator
To ensure uninterrupted use, remember to charge your epilator before you plan to epilate. The charging time may vary, but generally, it’s recommended to charge it for at least an hour for a 30-minute session.
Cleanse Your Skin
Before starting the epilation process, it’s crucial to cleanse your skin thoroughly with a mild soap. This step helps remove bacteria and germs, reducing the risk of infection since epilation makes your skin more susceptible to such issues. If you’re taking a bath, rinsing with a showerhead is advisable before getting out.
Exfoliate Your Skin
Before beginning the epilation process, exfoliate your skin. You can use a body scrub along with exfoliating gloves or any preferred exfoliation method. The goal is to remove dead skin cells and open up your pores.
Keep Your Skin Moist
Moist skin facilitates smooth gliding of the epilator. Ensure that your skin remains moist during the epilation process. If you encounter any issues with glide, you can apply soap, shaving gel, or foam to the skin to improve the gliding experience.
Experiment and Adjust
Different wet-dry epilators perform differently under varying water conditions. Experiment with the amount of water you use and the technique of epilation until you find the optimal method that effectively grabs hairs while minimizing discomfort.
Clean Your Epilator
It’s convenient to clean your epilator head while you’re still in the bath or shower. Follow the instructions provided in the manual for cleaning, and then allow the epilator to dry before storing it.
Dry and Soothe Your Skin
After completing the epilation process, gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Avoid vigorous rubbing, as it can irritate the skin. Apply Aloe Vera gel to soothe and moisturize your skin.
Epilating Tips for Dry Epilation
Epilating Tips for Dry EpilationShower First
Before dry epilation, take a warm shower to ensure clean and exfoliated skin. A warm shower helps open up your pores, making it easier to pull out hairs. Cleanse your skin thoroughly and exfoliate to remove dead skin cells.
Ensure Dry Skin and Hair
After showering, use a clean towel to gently pat your skin and hair dry. Damp skin creates friction, making it harder to epilate. Wait until your skin is completely dry, or use baby powder to reduce moisture. Additionally, wet hairs are more challenging to epilate, so allow them to dry fully before using your epilator.
Manage Pain
Since dry epilation doesn’t provide the pain management benefits of wet epilation, you may need to find alternative ways to manage pain. Consider applying ice to your skin, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, or using a lidocaine spray like Bactine.
Soothe Skin and Moisturize
After epilation, your skin may experience irritation and inflammation. Use an ice pack to reduce inflammation, and apply Aloe Vera gel to soothe and moisturize your skin. If using lotion or other moisturizers, wait until the inflammation subsides a bit to avoid potential breakouts.
Clean Your Epilator
Cleaning your epilator after each use is essential to prevent pimples and infections. Follow the instructions provided in the manual for proper cleaning.
Final Thoughts
Dry epilation is generally the most efficient method, offering advantages such as better hair capture, reduced breakage, time savings, and longer-lasting results. However, it can be more painful. If you find the pain of dry epilation unbearable, wet epilation can be a suitable alternative. It still provides better results than shaving and is more cost-effective than waxing.
Best Wet Dry Epilator Recommendations
When it comes to the best wet dry epilator, I highly recommend the Braun Silk-épil 9 9-521. It’s the epilator I personally use and love. This high-end device offers two speeds and features an LED light for better visibility during the process.
For those seeking a more luxurious wet epilating experience, I suggest considering the Braun Silk-épil 9 9-961V Skin Spa. It’s the same epilator model I use, but it comes with additional attachments, such as exfoliation brushes and a massaging head.
Have More Questions?
If you have additional questions about epilation, I encourage you to explore the Epilator FAQ and Beginner’s Guide for more information.
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