STYLE MATTERS: Getting to the root of hair-removal aids
Evelinda: I called Judie recently, very excited about an alternative to razors I want to try: epilators.
Epilators have rotating heads with tiny tweezers that remove hair at the root. Manufacturers claim these newer models hurt less than early incarnations and keep legs hair-free for four to six weeks.
Judie: Wanting to be supportive, I gave it a go. For the next few weeks I tested four new products, religiously reporting back to E on my results. I heard nothing from my intrepid partner. Finally, she fessed up: She'd tested only two products.
Evelinda: The pain almost killed me. I had to use my Lamaze breathing. Removing hair by the roots? What was I thinking?
Judie: I, on the other hand, have skin of steel - but it's soft and hair- free. Now for our results:
Every product is supposed to remove hair on the legs, bikini line, face and underarms. We used the epilators on the first two areas. Stylish Reader, you are on your own for the last two. There is only so much pain we will endure on your behalf.
The clear winner is the Braun Silk Epil EP 4000. Not only does its 40 tweezers remove most hair in a single stroke, it comes with a built-in light that illuminates the smaller hairs, a real advantage. It also does the best job removing knee hair, which is a challenge for epilators because of the boniness of most knees. The fact that it's one of the cheapest doesn't hurt either.
The Panasonic Epiglide has a gimmick - the unit can be used wet or dry and is fully immersible for anyone who wants to epilate underwater. The Epiglide worked better wet than dry. To use, buy liquid soap gel, foam up and the tweezing discs start epilating. Ripping out hair by the roots when wet doesn't hurt as much as dry. The problem is you can't see the hair you are trying to remove because it is covered in soap. Didn't think of that, did you, Panasonic?
The Remington Smooth and Silky Spin Flex shaver has a cord that plugs into the unit at an angle. It makes holding and using the epilator much easier. Other manufacturers should look seriously at this feature. Unfortunately, hair removal was slow and tedious.
The Em Joi is cordless and rechargeable, a plus for travel. The information brochure boasts about its "30 dual opposed tweezers." We could pluck faster blindfolded.
Epilators
Product: Braun Silk Epil EP 4000
Price & where to buy: $49.99 at Ulta, Bed, Bath & Beyond, braun.com
Removal scores
(1 = smooth as a baby's behind; 5 = still hairy as Hagrid): 1
Pain meter
(1 = removing a Band-Aid; 10 = Medieval flaying): 3
Best features: Built-in light; best at removing knee hair; use the "Efficiency Pro Clip" for maximum skin contact; can use a shaving motion rather than a circular one, which is easier
Worst features: Not cordless
Ranking: First
Product: Panasonic Epiglide x'elle body system
Price & where to buy: $69.99 at Ulta, Target, panasonic.com
Removal score: 3
Pain meter: 2 when wet; 5 when dry
Best features: This model gets high marks because of how great it works wet for the bikini line.
Worst features: Took too many strokes to remove hair
Ranking: Second
Product: Remington Smooth and Silky Spin Flex shaver
Price & where to buy: $49.99 at Ulta, Sears, Remington-store.com
Removal score: 4
Pain meter: 5
Best features: Angled cord for easier use
Worst features: Protective plastic cover kept falling off; kept missing hairs
Ranking: Third
Product: Em Joi Opti Max hair remover
Price & where to buy: $79.99 at Ulta, Target, Emjoi.com
Removal score: 5. Stopped using because delicate skin kept getting caught in the rotating heads
Pain meter: 8 for general use; 10 when skin got caught
Best features: Cordless
Worst features: The company sells an optional exfoliation attachment. It would have been nice had that been included.
Ranking: Fourth
Pros
Roots: Epilation removes hair at the root, so the regrowth is slower and the stubble is softer and more sparse. Regrowth happens in more like two to three weeks, not the four to six that manufacturers claim. But that's better than having to shave every day.
Bye-bye to hair forever: Regular epilation leads to permanent reduction in hair regrowth, according to the manufacturers.
Cons
Torture: Hurts like crazy when you first start.
Bumps: Anytime hair is removed by the root, it can cause ingrown hairs.
Rash: As in waxing, tiny red bumpy rashes can form on the legs. These usually disappear within 24 hours.
Time consuming: Epilating two hairy legs takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Of course, so does waxing.
Smooth process
Should you decide on epilating, here are some Style Matters tips:
1. Ingrown hairs: Try Tend Skin (at Sephora, $20) which helps alleviate ingrown hairs and use a loufa sponge regularly in the shower.
2. First-time users: Pop an Advil about 30 minutes before epilating to help dull the pain. (If you are like Evelinda, you might need a morphine drip.)
3. Attention to detail: Wear reading glasses while epilating to get up close and personal with your follicles.
4. Before bed: Try epilating before sleep so the red bumps have time to disappear.