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Hairless girl summer, is that you?
We all have our preferred hair removal methods― from sugaring to wax to depilatory creams― because removing body hair is no easy feat. But sometimes, our go-to hair removal methods don't always produce the most remarkable results or feelings. Have you ever limped from a wax appointment? Exactly. When all else fails, epilators will always come to the rescue.
The name makes it sound much more intimidating than it is. An epilator is an electrical handheld device that removes hair from the root using tweezers on a rotating wheel. Like its fellow hair removal friends, epilators leave the skin as hairless and smooth as possible. Some epilators can keep you hairless longer than creams or wax, as frequent use of the tool can reduce growth and make hair thinner. If you're looking for a mess-free, pain-free, and quick method to securing soft baby skin this summer, scroll down for the ten top-rated epilators on the internet.
1
Best for Beginners
Emjoi Emagine Dual Opposed Epilator
Pros
Two speed settings
Cons
- No built-in light
With 72 tweezers built-in and varying speed modes, this epilator from Emagine is powerful enough to get even the most stubborn little hairs on your body. The dual head is gentle enough to remove hair on your face and sensitive areas like the bikini.
2
Best for Quickness
Tweezerman Smooth Finish Facial Hair Remover
Pros
- Seamlessly removes peach fuzz
Cons
- Can be difficult to get used to
Unwanted appearances from pesky facial hairs are quite embarrassing, especially in between salon visits. Tweezerman's hair remover puts you in full control by allowing you to get as close as possible to the hair and gently pull it out from the root. This hair remover is great for peach fuzz.
3
Best for Pro-Level Results
Smooth Skin Pure FIT Intelligent Ultrafast IPL Laser
3
Best for Pro-Level Results
Smooth Skin Pure FIT Intelligent Ultrafast IPL Laser
Pros
- Slows hair growth
Cons
- Pricey
While not a traditional epilator by definition, the Pure Fit is an IPL hair removal device that attacks hair using light flashes to kill hair follicles. "SmoothSkin Pure Fit is one of my favorite devices for hair removal because regular use can lead to permanent hair loss in 12 weeks. I love that it can be done at home, on your own time, with relatively little to no pain," NYC board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian says. "Another feature that I am particularly impressed by is that Pure Fit has smart technology to identify skin color, and is less likely to have any user error when targeting hair throughout various body sites and varying skin tones."
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4
Best for Sensitive Skin
Philips Beauty Satinelle Essential Corded Epilator
4
Best for Sensitive Skin
Philips Beauty Satinelle Essential Corded Epilator
Pros
- Doesn't irritate skin
Cons
- Needs to be used consistently to see results
This adorable pink beauty was designed with a round shape to fit perfectly in your hands without fear of it slipping and causing an accident. For those with sensitive skin or sensitive areas, this epilator comes equipped with an alternative cap to get hard-to-reach areas pain-free.
5
Best Overall
Silk'n At Home Permanent Hair Removal
5
Best Overall
Silk'n At Home Permanent Hair Removal
Pros
- Five power settings
Cons
- Pricey
The Silk'n epilator is one of the creme de la creme of hair removal tools. Bringing the spa to your front door, five different power settings, Galvanic energy, and unlimited pulses are bottled up in this IPL laser treatment.
6
Best For Busy Bees
Epilady Speed Corded Epilator
Pros
- Two speed levels
Cons
- Needs multiple passes
Using razors can be time-consuming. Cut down on your shaving time by opting for the Epilady Speed Epilator, which features two different speed levels. The full-speed level uses 40 tweezer discs to create 31000 tweezes per minute. You'll be in and out of the shower in no time.
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7
Best For Peach Fuzz
Braun Face Epilator Facespa Pro 911
7
Best For Peach Fuzz
Braun Face Epilator Facespa Pro 911
Pros
- Comes with cleansing brush
Cons
- Needs multiple passes
The most annoying and stubborn hair on our bodies is probably facial hair (or peach fuzz). This Braun system is basically an at-home facial; the MicroVibration tool gently applies your favorite serum to your face using soft vibrations, the cleansing brush safely removes dirt and impurities from the skin, and the epilator gets to the root of those pesky chin hairs.
8
Best For Legs
Remington Smooth & Silky Essential Epilator
8
Best For Legs
Remington Smooth & Silky Essential Epilator
Pros
- Angled tip gets hard-to-reach areas
Cons
- Needs multiple passes
The company we trust with all our hair straightening/curling needs has a reliable body hair remover as well. This tool uses 40 tweezers to remove your hair from the root with its angled tip and two-speed settings.
9
Best For In-Shower Use
Panasonic 3-Blade Cordless Electric Razor
9
Best For In-Shower Use
Panasonic 3-Blade Cordless Electric Razor
Pros
- Works in-shower
Cons
- Needs multiple passes
With this epilator, you don't have to step out of the shower to get the work done. Plus, it has a pop-up trimmer for your bikini area.
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10
Best For Travel
Finishing Touch Flawless Women's Painless Hair Remover
10
Best For Travel
Finishing Touch Flawless Women's Painless Hair Remover
Pros
- Great for peach fuzz
Cons
- Only for facial hair
Your favorite travel companion is this bite-sized rose gold hair remover. Perfect for surprise pop-ups from random facial hairs, the Flawless Hair Remover zaps them away pain-free.
11
Best For Bikini
Philips Beauty BikiniGenie Cordless Bikini Trimmer
11
Best For Bikini
Philips Beauty BikiniGenie Cordless Bikini Trimmer
Pros
- Cordless
Cons
- Needs multiple passes
This trimmer is a dream for the bikini area. It's cordless, comes with two shaving heads to get the best results, and comes with a travel pouch for beach getaways. Win-win-win.
12
FAQs
What purpose do epilators serve?
Despite the intimidating name, epilators are just another fancy word for a hair removal device. "The purpose of epilators is to offer a form of hair removal that consists of the mechanical grasping of hair follicles and pulling them out. It is somewhat similar to waxing, in that the hair is pulled from the root, and hair regrowth is much slower than compared to shaving," NYC board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian explains. Like with most hair removal techniques, using an epilator frequently will bring you closer to permanent hair removal.
How does it work?
"Epilators can be found in many forms, especially over-the-counter for at-home use. Epilators work by running the device over hair-bearing skin slowly, allowing the tip to make contact with the hair follicles, grabbing them and pulling them out," Dr. Nazarian adds. When using an epilator, you should move the device slowly against the skin to get as close to the hair as possible. "The process is certainly a little bit uncomfortable, much like tweezing would be," she warns.
Who can use epilators?
There is an epilator for all skin types and shades. But other hair removal methods, like a laser, are not one-size-fits-all. "In contrast, lasers function by targeting melanin found in the hair follicle, transmitting heat to the melanin-containing cells, and then lead to the destruction of the hair root and permanent hair loss.
How do you know what hair removal method is right for you?
"Ultimately, the method of hair removal you choose is a personal choice that takes many aspects into consideration: time consumption, need for continuity, potential pain, cumulative cost, etc," Dr. Nazarian says. Also, your skin color is also a major factor to consider when deciding which method is right for you. "Depending on your hair and skin color you may also find that some options work better than others. Many with very dark skin, or very light hair, may have more limited options with hair removal methods. Whenever there’s any doubt or uncertainty, feel free to reach out to your board-certified dermatologist to determine what may be the best option, and safest option, for you," she advises.
