Epilator vs. Waxing: Benefits, Risks, and What to Expect

Quick comparison chart

What’s the process like? 

Epilation uses a mechanical device called an epilator. The device removes hair by plucking it by the root as you glide it along in the direction of hair growth.

Unlike waxing, epilation can be done wet or dry and doesn’t involve a wax-like substance.

Waxing removes hair manually with heated-up wax that’s applied in the same direction of hair growth.

If you’re using a soft wax, cloth or paper strips get laid on top and removed quickly against the direction of hair growth.

If you’re using a hard wax, the technician will wait for the wax to harden before removing the strip of wax itself against the direction of hair growth.

In which areas does it work best?

Epilators are best for larger areas with tough skin, such as the arms and legs.

Technically, it can be used on more sensitive areas of the body, such as the bikini area, face, and underarms, but it may cause a little more discomfort, depending on your pain tolerance.

Because waxing can be applied more precisely, it can be used effectively anywhere on the body, including the arms, legs, torso, face, and bikini area.

Some prefer waxing the bikini area over other hair removal methods due to its longer-lasting results.

Are there any benefits?

With epilation, you’ll be able to remove the shorter hairs that waxing might not be able to reach, which means smoother skin.

With waxing, the wax adheres to the top layer of the skin, allowing the removal process to provide gentle exfoliation and remove dead skin cells.

With both methods, the results are longer-lasting than some hair removal methods, such as shaving.

There’s also the added benefit of being able to DIY both epilation and waxing. Unlike in-office treatments like laser hair removal, both epilation and waxing can be performed at home with the right tools.

Are there any side effects or risks?

With both methods, it’s important to note that there may be irritation and pain — a lot more pain than with shaving.

You may like to think of epilation the same way you think of tweezing – it can leave the skin feeling tender to the touch. Other side effects include:

• redness
• irritation
• bumps
• ingrown hairs

However, epilation poses fewer risks than waxing. Depending on the skill level of the person waxing, side effects can include:

• redness
• irritation
• rashes
• bumps
• sun sensitivity
• allergic reaction
• infection
• scarring
• burns
• ingrown hairs

Is there anyone who shouldn’t do this?

Waxing might not be the best option if you’re taking the following medications:

• certain antibiotics
• hormone replacement therapy
• hormonal birth control
• Accutane
• Retin-A or other retinol-based creams

In the case that you’re taking the medications above, or you’re currently going through cancer treatments like radiation or chemotherapy, you might want to opt for epilation.

If you’re still too sensitive for either hair removal method, you might want to try shaving.

How painful is it?

Let’s be honest, neither of these methods is the most comfortable way to remove hair. Both can be fairly painful, depending on your pain tolerance and the frequency of use.

However, for those who haven’t tried either method before, be aware that because your hair is being removed at the root, there will likely be more pain than if you just shaved.

How often can you do it?

Because both methods provide long-lasting results, you probably won’t want to (or need to) perform them that often.

With epilation, the results will last around 3 to 4 weeks. And the longer you do it, some believe the slower you might notice your hair grows back.

Unlike waxing, your hair can be fairly short in order to epilate successfully, around 1/8-inch long.

With waxing, the results will last around 3 to 4 weeks as well. However, if your hair grows back slowly, it could last longer. Again, some believe that with consistency, you might notice your hair grows back slower and less dense.

Before you can wax again, you’ll want to grow your hair out to be between 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch long.

How much does it cost? 

An epilator will cost you anywhere from $20 to $100, depending on the quality of the machine.

Unlike razors, epilators aren’t disposable, so you can continue to use your machine time after time. Just keep up with cleaning it and storing it properly to ensure it lasts.

Typically, your machine will come with a warranty and multiple heads to change between.

For waxing, the cost really depends on whether you’re getting your hair removed by a professional or doing a little DIY treatment.

If you’re going to a technician, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $70. If you’re getting a smaller area waxed, like your upper lip or underarms, it’ll probably cost much less.

If you’re DIYing your wax treatment at home, it’ll probably cost you around $20 to $30 per single-use kit.

What should you do before epilating or waxing? 

Before either removal, gently exfoliate the area. Do this a few days before your waxing appointment and any time leading up to your epilation. retinols before waxing.

If you’re using an epilator, you’ll want to shave 3 to 4 days prior or let your hair grow out to 1/8 inch.

If you’re waxing, grow your hair to a length of 1/4 inch. You might have to trim it down slightly if it’s longer than ½ inch. The day before, avoid exfoliating, tanning, or swimming, as these activities can dry out your skin.

Neither process is super comfortable, so you might want to take an over-the-counter pain medication about 30 minutes beforehand. It also helps to avoid consuming alcohol or caffeine the day of your treatment.

With epilation, you may also want to wait until nighttime, as there’s a chance your skin will be red afterwards.

How can you ensure your DIY or appointment goes smoothly?

So, you’ve prepped the area and you’re ready to remove some hair. Here’s what you can expect with each removal method.

For epilation, here’s what to expect:

1. First, you’ll need to decide whether you’re using your epilator on wet or dry skin. If you’re using it on wet skin, you’ll want to dampen the skin with warm water for at least 10 minutes, either in the shower or a bath. If you’re using your epilator on dry skin, take a shower to remove oils and weaken the hair strands. Then dry off with a towel, brushing against the direction of hair growth to stand the hairs up.
2. Next, plug in your epilator and turn it on the lowest setting. You can increase the power as you go on, depending on your pain tolerance.
3. Then, use one hand to pull your skin tight.
4. Gently glide the epilator loosely against the skin at a 90-degree angle, slowly sweeping it along the direction of hair growth.

For waxing, here’s what to expect:

1. If you’re going to a professional, the technician will have you fill out a form to understand your needs. Then, they’ll take you to a private waxing room where they’ll ask you to remove your clothing and hop up on the table (don’t worry, they’ve seen it all before).
2. To begin, the technician will cleanse your skin and apply a pre-wax treatment to help prevent irritation.
3. They’ll then apply a thin layer of warmed wax with an applicator tool, brushing it on in the same direction as your hair growth.
4. If it’s a soft wax, they’ll use paper or cloth strips to remove the wax. If it’s a hard wax, they’ll wait for the wax to harden before removing the entire wax strip. With both methods, the wax gets removed against the direction of hair growth.
5. Once the entire area is waxed, your technician will apply a post-treatment lotion or oil to prevent ingrown hairs.

What should you do after epilating or waxing? 

After using an epilator, make sure to remove any lingering hairs to prevent infection. Moisturize the area to minimize irritation. Then, before putting your device away, clean it with alcohol.

After waxing, keep the area moisturized to prevent irritation or any itching. You can return to exfoliation 24 hours after your appointment.

Before the 24 hours, your skin might still be too sensitive or prone to ingrown hairs so be careful not to pick, exfoliate, or otherwise aggravate the skin.

What can you do to minimize ingrown hairs and other bumps?

Ingrown hairs and bumps are fairly common with both epilation and waxing.

While it’s impossible to guarantee a bump-free removal, there are several steps you can take to minimize your chances.

Most importantly: exfoliate. For epilation, you can exfoliate at any point before you use the epilator. For waxing, exfoliate a few days before your appointment. This way, you’ll be able to remove dead skin cells without irritating your skin.

If ingrown hairs happen, don’t worry and definitely don’t pick at them. Apply an ingrown hair treatment or oil to the affected area to soothe and promote healing. If your ingrown hairs don’t go away, it might be time to see a doctor to have them removed safely.

Which produces more consistent results, and how long do they last?

On average, both methods produce fairly similar and consistent results.

If your waxing technician isn’t as experienced, or if it’s your first time doing it yourself, you might see more inconsistent results.

Given that the results are fairly similar, you can also expect results to last around the same length of time: 3 to 4 weeks. However, epilation may be able to remove more of the finer, smaller hairs that waxing leaves behind.

The bottom line

Both epilation and waxing are effective hair removal methods for achieving long-lasting results. To find the method that’s best for you, it may take some experimentation.

If you’re more sensitive or prone to pain, epilation might not be the best for you. On the other hand, if you’re willing to stand some pain for fewer side effects, epilation might be better than waxing for you.

Remember that what works best for your friends or family might not necessarily work best for you. Just be safe with your hair removal, and the rest is up to you!

Jen is a wellness contributor at Healthline. She writes and edits for various lifestyle and beauty publications, with bylines at Refinery29, Byrdie, MyDomaine, and bareMinerals. When not typing away, you can find Jen practicing yoga, diffusing essential oils, watching Food Network, or guzzling a cup of coffee. You can follow her NYC adventures on Twitter and Instagram.