Epilation and depilation are two of the most commonly confused terms when it comes to removing unwanted hair. And though the words are similar, the difference between them is huge. During depilation, only the part of the hair above the skin is removed, while epilators remove hair with roots and follicles themselves. One of the most commonly used depilatory devices is a regular razor. It is one of the types of depilatories because it only removes the upper part of the hair. However, even the tweezers that pull the hair off with the root are considered depilatories. Why? Because it grows again in the same place, it does not remove the follicle where the hair starts to form. Different depilatory creams also work on a similar principle.

It's all about depilation

There are two types of depilation - non-chemical and chemical. Chemical depilatories are usually in the form of a cream or lotion. These creams contain a variety of chemicals that break down the protein in the hair and allow it to be easily removed from the roots. Chemical depilatory creams have long been the subject of controversy - some experts claim that chemical creams can cause extreme skin irritation (or even burns if the skin is more sensitive or prone to allergies). Non-chemical depilators include razors, tweezers, and other devices that do not contain chemicals that are harmful to health. And while chemical depilatories remove unwanted hair for a longer period of time, they also cause far more unwanted side effects.

More about epilators

Unlike depilatories, all epilators are devices that do not contain substances that are harmful to health. It is true that there is a great variety of them on the market and they differ in the way they work and in accessories that greatly facilitate the process of removing unwanted hair. Some epilators can be used even underwater! And while hair removal is almost twice as dry in an epilator, various tests have shown that epilating in the shower significantly reduces pain and significantly less irritation on the skin. True, major epilator manufacturers have already released models that are suitable for both land and underwater applications, but these models are slightly more expensive than conventional dry epilators.

A new generation of epilators

In recent years, a new generation of epilators has been gaining in popularity for the long-term removal of hair during periodic procedures. And while this is a bigger investment than conventional electric epilators, it is worth considering and considering purchasing a photo epilator or taking advantage of laser hair removal in a beauty salon.

Photoepilators - what is it and how to choose it?

Photoepilators are epilators based on the principle of intense pulsed light (IPS). These devices generate strong flashes of light, which eventually destroy the hair follicle and prevent it from growing. True, the exclusive principle of operation is not suitable for everyone Intense pulsed light hair removal method will not be suitable for extremely dark skin and extremely light body hair. And while in the past, photoepilation treatments have only been done in beauty salons, online stores can find home-made photoepilators.

There are several criteria to consider when choosing a photo epilator. The lifetime of a photo epilator is determined by the maximum number of flashes - the larger it is, the longer the device will operate. A lower number of flashes means that the photoepilator lamp will need to be replaced over time. Another crucial aspect is the size of the applicator. The applicator is in direct contact with the skin, and the flashes of light affect precisely the area of ​​skin that is attached to it. Therefore, the larger the surface of the applicator, the better - which means that the procedure will take less time. Appliances with applicators smaller than 3-4 square centimeters are not recommended. A very important criterion when choosing is the intensity of the flash - it is not recommended to choose devices with a pulse rate greater than 5 J / cm2 - otherwise the skin is easily burned. When selecting a device based on the above criteria, it is recommended that you read the reviews as well - other people's feedback will definitely help you make the best decision. 

Laser epilators are not yet for home use

Unfortunately, laser epilators have not yet reached the store shelves and their benefits can only be enjoyed in beauty salons. Laser epilation differs from photoepilation in that it uses light-induced radiation, which means that the skin does much less damage than using a photoepilator. Like the latter, laser hair removal technique removes the hair from the follicle and, at regular intervals, prevents the growth of new hair. True, laser hair removal is only suitable for those or those with dark body hair - otherwise the laser does not "see" the hair.

What to consider when choosing an electric or photoepilator?

One of the most important aspects is recovery. Conventional electric epilators remove hair that is overgrown at that time. Photoepilators also remove hair that is extremely short or in the early stages of growth. With normal electric epilators, skin or hair color is completely irrelevant, while photoepilator won't work on very dark skin or very light hair. Also, photoepilators, although more expensive, have a much better effect. So it is important to evaluate your financial capabilities as well.