Do Epilators Hurt? What to Know About the Hair Removal Devices (2024)

Panasonic's Epilator & Shaver System earned the top ranking in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent epilator test for good reason: It has the highest rating in overall satisfaction (100%), is great for beginners, and has the most speed settings and longest cord length of all the tools tested. Plus, the device received the highest scores for effectively removing hair from lower legs, underarms, and bikini line and for not irritating skin after epilation.

It also showcases a triple-speed motor and has five snap-on attachments that conform to your body, plus a built-in LED light to help better detect each hair. "This was very easy to use and included clear instructions," a tester noted. "It was a pain-free way to remove hair, and my skin felt very smooth for days!" The only downside: it can't be used on the face, just from the underarms down.

The two speed levels on Remington's budget-friendly epilator allow you to customize your hair removal experience to be more gentle or powerful depending on your needs. A winner of the GH Beauty Lab's test, this epilator's angled head catches even the shortest hairs and has comfort barrels on the head of the epilator that, according to the brand, "helps reduce skin irritation during the hair removal process."

Testers agreed regarding the efficacy of the hair removal: "I like that it was able to catch most hairs the first time around," one shared. They also raved about the small, compact size. "It was a nice size and weight," another said. "It fit in my hand comfortably." While this epilator works wonders on different body parts, note that it can not be used on the face.

In addition to being a top ranked epilator in the GH Beauty Lab's test, Braun's Silk Expert Pro 5 Epilator is used and loved by GH Beauty Lb pros. In the evaluation, it received perfect scores for tweezing hair in one pass, pulling hair without breaking it, not hurting skin, being easy to clean and leaving skin hair-free for at least one week. GH Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D., noted that this is her favorite pick for the bikini area: "The flexible rounded head of this epilator fits perfectly along the bikini line and around the curvatures down there." She advises beginners to use it with the attachment that has the small oval window first, as this only exposes a fraction of the entire number of tweezers and the hair is not yanked all at once, making it less painful per pass. "Remember to pull the skin taut, and if hair is not long enough, make sure to press gently against the skin when the attachment is on for effective removal in one pass," she adds.

While it's pricey, this all-in-one epilator has proven worth the long-term investment. “This epilator makes quick work of nabbing every last hair — even super short or super fine ones — from legs, underarms, bikini and beyond," GH Institute Deputy Editor Jessica Teich added. "The operation is smooth and snag-free and never pinches, and the light is super useful for uncovering hidden or fine hairs. I love that it comes with so many attachment options, but I primarily stick with the classic head for regular maintenance to keep skin smooth and hair-free. I use it daily!”

Compared to some fellow Braun epilators, the Silk-Epil 9 features a wider epilation head to remove more hair in one stroke, plus seven attachments so you can switch between face, body and sensitive areas. Once charged with the included cord or powered by batteries, you can use it on dry skin or in the shower.

"I followed the advice of others and used it every few days the first two weeks or so," a reviewer commented. "Now when I feel a bit of stubble, I use it and am done in five minutes or less." Aral personally loves and recommends a similar but older version of this model. Definitely an effective and speedy option, a few reviewers noted that while this epilator really works, it can be painful, especially at first.

For beginners and those with sensitive skin, epilation can feel uncomfortable and painful as tweezers pass over skin plucking multiple hairs at the root. While we haven't tested this in the GH Beauty Lab, Lab experts like that Conair GirlBomb's innovative adjustable ice roller attachment aims to minimize this pain and irritation. The ice roller can be used before or after skin is exposed to the epilator so it not only cools epilated skin, but it also distracts from any pain.

You can use the epilator with or without the attachment; just make sure to put it into the freezer at least four hours before use to maximize the effect. "This is my first ever epilator," one Target reviewer shares. "There is a slight learning curve, but once you get the hang of it it's easy and the rolling ice attachment is a nice touch for reducing pain and redness."

In addition to boasting the longest battery life among those tested in the GH Beauty Lab, this Philips epilator received high marks for users not noticing any ingrown hair after use, which is a side effect that may occur after epilation. It also worked extremely well on the upper legs and at being able to grab and pull hairs from the roots without breaking them, according to testers.

"I never used an epilator before so I absolutely loved how it pulled even short hairs right from the root," one said. Others remarked that the areas they used it on stayed hair-free for a while: "I liked that it removed the hair and the hair didn't seem to grow back for quite some time." While this epilator reduces ingrown hairs and really gets to the roots, it did have one complaint among testers: the noise. Proceed with caution if a loud volume bothers you.

To find the best epilators on the market, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab selected products across different price points and ran consumer and laboratory testing on them. A total of 50 women (10 women per product) were recruited to test each product and were instructed to use the device following the manufacturer’s directions at least once and then observed hair regrowth for one week. The testers included regular, occasional and new epilator users.

After the testing period, users completed a detailed questionnaire rating attributes including ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction. In the Lab, experts measured the weight, cord length and the battery life after one charge (where applicable) for each product.

Noise testing was also conducted by partner lab Quiet Mark, who provides three-star ratings based on the recorded sound test levels. The results are based on a three star/point rating system, with one indicating poor (loud), two average and three good (quiet).

According to Dr. Frieling and GH Beauty Lab experts, finding the best epilator comes down to a number of factors:

✔️ Wet and dry use: Most newer epilators can be used in the shower or on dry skin, but be sure to check water-resistance or waterproofness before buying.

✔️ Corded versus battery-powered: Battery-operated epilators tend to lose their power with use and time, while corded epilators pack more power.

✔️ Device size: Dr. Frieling suggests using smaller epilators for hard-to-reach areas, including facial hair — like eyebrows, upper lip and peach fuzz — while a larger device might be best for bigger areas like arms and legs.

✔️ Number of tweezers: Epilator devices can have anywhere from one single tweezer to over 70 tweezers. "Since epilation is already time-consuming, it’s better to go with a higher number of tweezers" for maximum efficacy, Dr. Frieling says. But know that "although more tweezers can make the process less time consuming, it can be more painful per pass since you are plucking more hair at once," Wnek adds.

✔️ Speed settings: If you have coarse hair, look for epilators with a high speed setting function to quickly power through tougher hair.

✔️ Built-in light: GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann recommends "epilators that have a light, which helps when trying to reach areas at the back of lower legs." The illumination helps you see and nab every last hair.

Yes, epilators work and can be worth the investment to remove hair with lasting results, but every hair removal method has its pros and cons. Epilating can keep your skin smoother for longer, and helps hair grow back more slowly and finer than before. "The niche for an epilator is that it can remove short regrowth and is less messy" than other types of hair removal, like depilatory or waxing, Aral explains.

It's true that epilating can be even better than waxing: An epilator pulls hair out from the root, but is more convenient because "unlike waxing, you can epilate the moment you spot a hair, even hairs less than a millimeter long," says Dr. Frieling. It also means you have more time in between hair removal sessions (usually about two to four weeks).

If you are following manufacturer instructions and warnings for your particular product, it is safe to use, GH Beauty Lab pros say. While directions differ from product to product, these are some that most may include:

• Only use the provided power supply to charge your epilator.
• Do not charge epilator close to the sink or tub.
• Do not share epilators with friends or family for hygenic reasons.
• Epilators should never be used near the hair on your head or eyelashes.
• The epilator should be cleaned as per manufacturer's directions after each use. Unplug the device before cleaning.

"I would be lying if I said it didn’t hurt the first time," Wizemann revealed. For this reason, Aral adds, "I recommend epilators to those who are used to waxing, as there is a certain degree of pain involved with the process."

To mitigate the pain, Beauty Lab pros suggest epilating on wet skin if you can. "Although it’s slower than dry epilation, wet epilation is more convenient and less painful," Dr. Frieling says. Aral agrees, saying that wetting the skin can help create friction and give better grip on some hairs.