Epilation is a method of hair removal, which is very similar to tweezing, except instead of pulling out one hair at a time, a machine is used called a rotary epilator, which can pluck out multiple hairs by the root. The machine itself looks very similar to an electric razor, but instead of cutting heads or a foil, it has a set of discs which rotate. The discs are aligned so that they open and close. When they are open a hair can enter, then as they rotate, the discs close on the hair, trapping it, and then they pull the hair out of the hair follicle.
This process can be painful, though with each successive treatment the pain diminishes, and the hairs grow back finer and softer. It is also claimed that eventually they will stop growing back altogether. The time between treatments can vary, anywhere from three to eight weeks. In selecting an epilator, it is important to go for a good quality one, these are more effective, supposedly less painful, and cause less problems in use.
For the best results, it is recommended that you take a hot bath, or shower first. This softens the hairs, and makes them easier to extract. Then making sure that the skin is kept taut, to prevent snagging, the rotating disc are moved over the area to be treated. The entire area may have to be gone over several times to ensure that all hairs have been removed. Epilation works best on areas which are relatively flat. After treatment, it is recommended that the area is treated with a cold compress, or lotion to alleviate pain, and reduce any problems, such as ingrowing hairs.
