1. Epilator

A mechanical epilator is a fairly simple electrical device that is very popular due to its affordable price and long service life. Such a device can serve you for decades without losing its relevance - it is not a smartphone that needs to keep up with the times, get new equipment and software updates. The principle of the epilator is to remove unwanted hair from the root - along with the hair follicles. Simply put, it simply pulls out hairs using small discs or tweezers located on the working attachment. There can be from 15 - 20 to 60 - 70 or even more - it all depends on the specific model. The more such tweezers or discs - the larger the area they capture and, accordingly, the faster the epilation procedure.

The epilator tweezers grab and pull out hairs along with their roots.

By removing hair with bulbs, the epilator provides from 5-6 days to 4-5 weeks of smooth skin - here everything depends on individual characteristics. And this is the main advantage of epilators over classic razors, which only cut hairs and require repeating the procedure after a couple of days. In addition, frequent use of the epilator for a long time leads to the fact that the hairs become thinner and weaker, grow more slowly and less often.

The epilator removes hair along with the roots, keeping the skin smooth for up to several weeks.
Important! Using an epilator does not cause the hair follicles to die off completely, they remain active. That is, the epilator only temporarily removes hair, but does not destroy it forever.

Epilators are quite easy to use and do not require any skills. They do not injure the skin and are absolutely safe if used correctly. However, careless handling can still lead to negative consequences such as microcuts and skin irritation. In general, epilators are suitable for almost anyone, but there are certain contraindications:

  • varicose veins - in this case, mechanical impact on the skin can aggravate the problem;
  • damaged skin : inflammation, cuts, wounds, abrasions, burns or rashes;
  • Skin diseases and infections(eg folliculitis, dermatitis, herpes) - using an epilator can cause irritation and spread of infection.

But epilators have a significant drawback, which for many people cancels out all the advantages - it is pain. The device pulls out hairs with their roots, so discomfort during the procedure is inevitable. True, everything depends on the pain threshold - for some, epilation goes well and causes only slight discomfort, but there are also users who cannot tolerate pain at all and choose less painful methods of hair removal. There is also good news:

  • Firstly, with prolonged use of the epilator, the skin will most likely get used to the procedure over time, and the pain will become weaker.
  • Secondly, manufacturers have come up with some ways to reduce discomfort (special attachments, the possibility of wet epilation), which we will talk about further.

In addition, epilation on sensitive skin can cause ingrown hairs in many people, where hair grows into the skin rather than outward. To avoid this, we recommend regularly exfoliating the skin and removing dead skin cells that can block hair growth. Skin scrubs and special washcloths and brushes can help with this. Since dry skin is more prone to ingrown hairs, moisturize it with creams or lotions after epilation. There are also special lotions or creams that contain ingredients to prevent and treat ingrown hairs, such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).

Popular epilators

2. Photoepilator

The photoepilator, in turn, uses IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) technology — intense pulsed light that affects the pigment in the hair (melanin). Flashes of light gradually destroy the hair follicles, as a result of which hair growth slows down and eventually stops altogether. Unlike an epilator, which immediately removes hair, the photoepilator works for the long term, so you should not expect quick results. On average, the first stage of use lasts about six months. During this time, the procedures must be carried out every few weeks or once a month — it all depends on the area being treated and the rate of hair regeneration. After a few months, the hairs become softer and thinner, after which they fall out and do not grow for a long time. After completing the main course, maintenance photoepilation will be required to prevent the appearance of new hair. It is usually carried out every few months or even six months.

The photoepilator gradually destroys hair follicles and prevents new hair growth.
Important! IPL only temporarily destroys follicles, and they can recover over time. For a long-term effect, the procedure must be repeated periodically. However, with regular use, the hairs become thin, invisible and can stop growing for a long period. Therefore, after completing the full course, you can forget about unwanted hair on your body for the next six months.

The preparation stage for the procedure is also important and also takes quite a long time.

  • For 3-4 weeks, it is not recommended to sunbathe, visit a solarium, or stay in direct sunlight for a long time.
  • One month before the first session, it is forbidden to use other hair removal methods except for a regular razor.
  • Immediately before the procedure, it is necessary to thoroughly cleanse the skin, preferably with a scrub, and shave the hair from the areas to be treated with a razor.
  • Upon completion, manufacturers recommend applying a soothing gel or cream and avoiding saunas and solariums for several days.

The photoepilator is suitable for different areas of the body, but there are also contraindications.

Unlike a classic epilator, a photoepilator affects hairs absolutely painlessly, but it is difficult to call it a completely safe device. It cannot be used on skin with wounds, rashes, burns, scars or in the presence of skin diseases, on too sensitive areas such as moles, tattoos, pigment spots, mucous membranes, areas around the eyes, ears or genitals, and also direct flashes into the eyes.

Important! Incorrect use may cause skin irritation and even burns.

In addition, photoepilators are not suitable for all skin and hair types. This process is effective when the hair contains a lot of melanin, otherwise the procedure will be useless or even lead to negative consequences.

Photoepilation is not suitable for:

  • very dark skin - in this case, the light impulses may be too strongly absorbed by the skin and not the hair;
  • very light, grey or light brown hair - they contain little melanin (pigment) and practically do not absorb the light impulse;
  • red hair - its structure and type of melanin (pheomelanin) do not allow for effective photoepilation.

The photoepilator works best on light skin with dark hair.
Photoepilators are not suitable for all hair and skin types.

Photoepilators are several times more expensive than epilators, but keep in mind that their service life is limited. The lamps that are installed inside the devices and produce flashes of light have their own resource - usually from 300-400 thousand to 900 thousand flashes. When the lamp's resource is exhausted, it and, accordingly, the photoepilator itself stop working. Most modern models do not have a lamp replacement, so when its service life ends, the equipment is sent to the trash. But this does not mean that such devices are disposable - on average, the lamp's resource is enough for at least 10-15 years of active use. If you choose a photoepilator for several family members and want to use it as long as possible, we recommend choosing models with a resource of 900 thousand flashes or more - this will be enough for several decades of periodic procedures.

Laser epilators deserve special mention - devices that remove unwanted hair on the body using an intense laser beam. In this case, fewer procedures are needed, but they take much longer, since the device covers a small area of the body. Laser epilators are more effective - they are not able to affect only hairs that have the same (or lighter) color than the skin. Unfortunately, buying a good laser epilator for home use is quite problematic, so for those who want to try its effectiveness on themselves, in most cases the only alternative is a visit to a beauty salon.

Laser hair removal is mostly performed in salons rather than at home.
Popular photoepilators

3. Equipment

Both devices can be used on different parts of the body, but the epilator is a more versatile device due to the variety of attachments that may be included in the kit.

The more accessories an epilator comes with, the more possibilities it has.

Budget and the simplest models have only a working head with tweezers. In general, it is capable of processing almost any area, but in the most sensitive places it can cause severe pain. Therefore, to alleviate discomfort and expand the functionality of the epilator, manufacturers can offer the following attachments and accessories:

  • Epilation attachment with massage - during the procedure, it simultaneously removes hair and massages the skin to relax it and reduce pain.
  • Attachment for delicate areas - often a cover that reduces the size of the working head to a small size. This limits the area of action, and the fewer tweezers are in operation - the less discomfort. This attachment is mainly intended for treating the bikini area, armpits and face.
  • The spot hair removal attachment is a similar cap design that reduces the size of the working area to a minimum. It is necessary for delicate and precise treatment of small areas.
  • An eyebrow epilator is an attachment or a separate device with a limited working area for giving the eyebrows the desired shape.
  • A foil shaver is an attachment that turns the epilator into an electric shaver. As a result, hairs are cut off rather than pulled out by the roots. It is better to use the shaver on the most delicate and sensitive areas where the epilation procedure is too painful.
  • The trimmer attachment - like a razor, it does not pluck, but cuts hairs with special blades, only not at the root, but to the optimal length. Such an attachment is used, for example, to trim hair in the bikini area or to prepare hair before epilation.
  • Skin smoothing attachment - a special pad that holds the skin in tension. It is used when epilating areas on the bends of the arm, under the knees, in folds, etc.
  • Comb - designed to trim and cut hair to a certain length before epilation or as a trimmer. It is most often used in the bikini area, underarms or for those areas of the body where hair needs to be shortened but not completely removed.
  • Peeling attachment – used to exfoliate the skin, helps remove dead skin cells and thus prevent ingrown hairs. These attachments are mainly used for facial peeling.
  • Attachment for rough skin - allows you to perform a pedicure at home. It is a roller or disc with an abrasive surface that removes calluses and corns on the feet and "polishes" rough skin on the heels.
  • Massager - unlike the epilation attachment with massage, it does not remove hair, but relaxes and reduces muscle tension, stimulating blood flow.
  • Cooling Pad - Cools the skin before or after the procedure to reduce pain and prevent skin irritation.

Thus, with an extended set, the epilator can become a multifunctional device that can not only remove hair, but also trim it, cleanse the skin, massage, pluck eyebrows and facial hair, do a pedicure and much more.

The extended package turns the epilator into a multifunctional device for various tasks.

But the kit of photoepilators is much more modest: it may include only attachments that increase or decrease the size of the flash window. For example, attachments with a smaller working area are designed for treating the face, bikini area and other small areas of the body, with a larger area - for legs, arms, back, etc. Accordingly, the photoepilator is a narrowly targeted device and performs only one main function. Additionally, the kit may include a case/bag for storage and transportation, glasses to protect the eyes from bright flashes, as well as a regular razor for hair removal before the procedure.

The photoepilator kit may include attachments for different areas of the body.
Popular epilators with a delicate attachment for the bikini area

4. Useful functions

Both epilators and photoepilators are fairly easy-to-use devices without a bunch of settings. But they may have useful additional functions that increase the effectiveness and safety of the procedure (in the case of photoepilators) and reduce pain (in the case of epilators). So, for epilators, these are:

  • Several speed modes. Usually, two settings are available - low and high intensity of rotation of disks/tweezers. Low speed is intended for the most sensitive areas and thin hairs, which at high speeds can break, and not be torn out together with the bulb. The maximum setting, in turn, is suitable for large areas of the body, as it speeds up the process, and for removing thick and coarse hair. Often, even budget models have several speed modes, but there are also devices without these settings. If you have a low pain threshold and you need an epilator to treat different areas of the body, it is better not to neglect this point.
  • Floating head — the ability of the working head to move in different directions. Thanks to this, the epilator accurately follows the contours of the body and does not leave missed hairs. This does not affect the painful sensations in any way, but it improves the quality of epilation.
  • Wet epilation is the ability to use the device on damp skin. In this case, the "filling" is protected from water, and the epilator will not break after the procedure in the bath or shower. Hot water relaxes the skin and opens the pores, thus making hair removal less painful. This is especially important for beginners and people with sensitive skin. In addition, water reduces the risk of irritation and redness of the skin. Also, the wet epilation function simplifies the care of the equipment itself, because the removed hairs are washed off immediately during the procedure. Often, such models are battery powered and operate wirelessly.

The possibility of wet epilation helps to reduce pain and prevent skin irritation.
Popular epilators for wet epilation


As for photoepilators, their functions are aimed at increasing safety and ease of use.

  • Power settings. Different hair and skin colors require different flash intensities during photoepilation. For example, if you use low power for light hair, it may not have any effect at all. Therefore, the best option is models with 5 or more power settings. Manufacturers often specify in detail in the instructions which mode is suitable for a particular skin type.
  • Skin type sensor. Even the presence of different power settings does not guarantee that you will select the appropriate intensity for your skin tone and hair color. Therefore, a special sensor comes to the rescue, which scans the skin during the procedure, determines its type, adjusts or recommends optimal settings depending on this data. This function, among other things, will be useful for beginners and inexperienced users, as it significantly simplifies the settings.
  • UV filter - reduces ultraviolet radiation during lamp flashes, because its excess is harmful to the skin and can even lead to burns.

The photoepilator power settings allow you to select the appropriate intensity of flashes
depending on skin and hair color.
Popular photoepilators with skin type sensor

5. What to choose?

To sum it up, although epilators and photoepilators have the same task, they perform it differently, so there is no clear answer to the question "Which is better?" To constantly maintain smooth skin, we would recommend using an epilator - it removes hairs along with the bulbs and provides an effect for up to several weeks. If this method is too painful for you, we recommend trying wet epilation and special attachments to reduce discomfort. Otherwise, the only alternative is a regular razor, which you will have to take out every few days or even daily.

For a long-term result, a photoepilator is suitable - it gradually destroys the hair follicle, after which the growth of new hair slows down or stops. It is not cheap, but salon procedures will cost much more. The effect will be noticeable only after a long time, so you will still have to use other means for hair removal. If the budget allows, we recommend not choosing one thing, but having both an epilator and a photoepilator in stock - this combination will allow you to get rid of unwanted hair on your body at home, without spending money on additional consumables and trips to professionals.

A comparison table will help you understand how these devices differ, what their pros and cons are:

Epilator Photoepilator
Operating principle Hair removal with the hair follicle Gradual impact on the hair follicle with subsequent cessation of hair growth
When is the effect noticeable? Straightaway In months
How long does the effect last? From several days to several weeks (individually) After completing the full course, hair growth stops or is suspended for a long time.
Painful sensations Eat No
Duration of the procedure 10 – 15 minutes
(depending on the area being treated)		 10 – 15 minutes
(depending on the area being treated)
How often should the procedure be performed? As hair grows Frequent procedures (as recommended by the manufacturer) for approximately 6 months, then rare sessions to maintain the effect
What areas of the body can it be used on? Arms, legs, face, back, stomach, bikini area, armpits Arms, legs, face, back, stomach, bikini area, armpits
Additional features With special attachments - peeling, hair cutting, eyebrow shaping, foot polishing, massage, etc. None
Service life Unlimited Limited by lamp life (number of flashes)