epilator pain.... thought I could handle it... thinking I'm a major wussie now!!!!!

mip1500 · 10-29-2009, 02:22 AM

Perhaps I should post under RANT!

omg, so I tried the Braun wet/dry tonight for the first time - got through maybe 2 inches on my calf, 4 inches on one forearm, tried 1 inch on belly. What the heck can I do before I try this again as I've never experienced such pain before!??!?!?!?? meds? alcohol? thinking I need to mix the 2 even though I never do either - just to try to get through this once all over and see if it improves my excessive hair growth! sheesh.

I also don't understand how long hair has to be... I'm used to shaving legs every other day or the stubble drives me crazy - I nair my arms every 3 weeks with stubble only bothering me maybe for 3 days about 4 days after nair (actually I've used something called "Hair No More" as Nair now gives me hives).

I'm seriously thinking I need to find some skin numbing cream. I dread trying again, but I know I have to - to kick this PCOS frustration in it's a$$.

kohina · 10-29-2009, 08:35 PM

Epilating is one of those things that's extremely painful the first time you do it but eventually you become accustomed to it. Even in just one session your body becomes accustomed to it. Like the first couple minutes of epilating my leg might hurt really bad but if I keep going it won't feel nearly as bad a few minutes later. Sometimes it helps to drink a little bit of wine (I personally smoke some weed before doing extra sensitive areas like the bikini line) first but you don't want to get so drunk that you can't concentrate on what you're doing because then you might pull the skin. The results are definitely worth the pain though. The hair grows in so much slower and finer.

Oh and it is definitely more painful to epilate if the hair is long. I generally wait til it's juuust poked through the skin and then epilate. If your hair is already long I would shave everything first and let it start to grow in a bit. Then epilate the sh*t out of it haha.

a16630 · 10-29-2009, 10:44 PM

I bought a Braun Silk Epil Xelle tonight and tried it. It was a little painful at first but your skin does get used to it. It is the best $75 investment I made. The hair is a little thicker on my arms and that really hurt. The hair on my face it thinner and that area was much easier, but still stung at first. If you keep going over the same area over and over and gradually move over to the left or right, it does not seem to hurt as much. Just keep repeating that process. It does get better.

mip1500 · 10-29-2009, 11:19 PM

Thank you!! Trying again tomorrow night on shorter hairs on legs... Will just make arm hair shorter and try from there. Phew! Gracias dear ladies!

amystraz · 10-30-2009, 12:35 AM

I've got the same Braun epliator as posted below. Does it hurt? Of course! Does it hurt less over time? Yep.
It does take some getting used to and I agree that after a few minutes of epliating, the pain does somewhat decrease. It still hurts when doing my inner thighs, but it's worth having no stubble.
Give it a chance. The pain may be worth not having to shave so frequently.

mahjab · 10-31-2009, 03:31 AM

I have a Braun epilator too, but I only use the shaving option. I tried to epilate but can't take the pain.

februarystar · 10-31-2009, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mip1500

What the heck can I do before I try this again as I've never experienced such pain before!??!?!?!?? meds? alcohol?

I used to take two painkillers before getting my leg waxed and it helped. A glass of wine is probably just as good

Quote:

Originally Posted by mip1500

I also don't understand how long hair has to be... I'm used to shaving legs every other day or the stubble drives me crazy

I dont get any stubble with epilating, the hairs that grow back are really soft and sparce. It also doesn't have to be that long - not as long as waxing. And because its much lighter now, I dont notice it when its at 'stubble' length.

I love the results from epilating. I'm never going to do anything else! (Except for laser hair removal when I can afford it!)

mip1500 · 10-31-2009, 11:37 AM

Thanks! Got through fronts of calves (couldn't take the pain of the backs) last night post a couple drinks. Gonna keep at it tonight perhaps with advil. I did like that it was able to remove what I feel is annoying stubble (shaved normally post first shave attempt thurs pm).

lisad · 10-31-2009, 10:58 PM

When I first started epilating (I just do my face) I had been waxing and could deal with the pain, but epilating was too painful. I found a spray called ANESTHETIC NUMBING SPRAY by GIGI AT Sally's Beauty. It has 4% lidocaine in it. It is pricey at 9.99 (less if you have the sally card) but I have gotten used to the process now, and only use it occasionally on the upper lip. It is a small spray bottle(I have only purchased one and it has lasted a year), and you may be able to find another similar product in larger quantity that is cheaper by searching. I needed to cover a small area and couldn't tolerate the pain. I don't drink, so that wasn't an option. I apply the spray and then wait 2 minutes or so to let it get a full effect. As the other ladies have mentioned the pain does lessen in some areas after repeated use, and although I needed it on my entire cheeks and upper lip area to begin with, I only need it on upper lip now because I only do that area once a month or so, whereas the face gets it all the time and I don't experience discomfort anymore. Good luck with your experience!

mip1500 · 11-01-2009, 03:12 PM

SO glad to hear from you and anyone that over time the pain is gone! I'm just still in this spot of scared about whatever area I haven't touched - but again, I'm so determined. and now I'm so much more confident - gonna find some of that numbing spray! thanks!

jaxpb · 11-08-2009, 10:43 PM

I bought one a few months ago and tried it once and wondered why the sell the thing- I have a half sleeve of tattoos and I thought that the epilator was the most painful thing I've ever done to myself. After reading the other posts, I suppose I'll give it another go- after a few glasses of wine.

mip1500 · 11-09-2009, 12:00 AM

Happy to report that calves now really don't sense the pain after a few seconds, but areas I haven't touched yet are back to hell the second I try there... so yeah, must endure pain initially, but then time will help!