Hair removal is a personal preference. And how you remove that hair is also a matter of preference because there are different methods, including shaving, sugaring, waxing and more. One lesser-known option you could try is via epilator. If you’re unfamiliar, epilators are devices that remove hair from its root using tiny tweezers that are attached to a “wheel” on an ergonomic handle, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Stacy Chimento. And since an epilator eliminates the entire hair follicle at its root, as opposed to cutting a portion of the hair when you shave via a razor, it slows down the hair regrowth process, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick.
You can use an epilator on both your face and body, and it’s a great option for those with sensitive skin and people with persistent ingrown hair issues, according to our experts. If you’re thinking about buying one, I consulted dermatologists about what to consider while shopping and how they compare to other hair removal methods. I gathered their recommendations, as well as highly rated options that are currently on the market.
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How I picked the best epilators
All epilators extract hair from the hair follicle. Some models are designed to target specific areas and are safe to use on either wet or dry skin. These are the factors that our experts recommend we keep in mind when curating this list:
- Grip: Regardless of whether or not you plan on using your epilator in the shower, you should choose a device that’s easy and comfortable to hold.
- Function: You can buy epilators for the face, the body as a whole, or for specific areas like legs and the bikini area. Some come with multiple attachments for different areas, including places that are hard to reach and more sensitive spots.
- Usability: Certain features will have a significant impact on your experience. For example, whether or not your epilator has a cord or is cordless will determine how long you can use it and where you can use it; and not all epilators are safe to use in water or on wet skin.
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The best epilators for hair removal
With my experts’ guidance in mind, I collected a handful of dermatologist-recommended epilators and some highly rated ones to consider.
Best overall
This Philips epilator comes recommended by Chimento because it can reach small hairs from delicate areas of the body. The device has 32 built-in tweezers made from hypoallergenic material that makes it suitable for those with sensitive skin, according to the brand. Plus, you can use it in the shower.
Best for body
Remington’s epilator has comfort barrels on the head to help reduce skin irritation as it quickly removes hairs from their roots, according to Garshick. “After you’ve built confidence with the first speed, you can move to the second-speed setting for a faster hair removal process,” she says. For the most efficient removal, work this device in slow, small circular motions, according to the brand.
Best set
This epilator has a flexible head, so it curves around tougher, hard-to-reach areas, according to Garshick. The set also comes with a shaver head and a body trimmer, plus attachments like massage pads and cleansing brushes to help you prep the hair before you remove it, says Garshick.
Best for sensitive skin
With tweezers made from hypoallergenic material, this epilator is ideal for those with sensitive skin or if you’re trying to minimize irritation. The flexible head, ergonomic handle and built-in LED light all work together to help you safely access hard-to-reach areas, according to Panasonic. The device has a 4.5-star average rating from over 90 reviews on Amazon and comes with a gentle attachment for more delicate spots on the body.
Best compact epilator
You can use this tool on dry skin and remove hairs as short as 0.5 millimeters in length, according to the brand. “It also has an ergonomic handle that makes it easier to tackle hard-to-reach areas,” says Garshick. The brand recommends using it on your legs and underarms. To clean it, you can detach the head and wash it under water.
Most gentle
This device doesn’t use tweezers — instead, it has two hypoallergenic blades to remove hair. The small device comes with an LED light so you can clearly see all facial hair before removing it. Once you’re done, you can easily wash off excess hair since it’s water-resistant, according to the brand. It has a 4.1-star average rating from over 6,600 reviews on Amazon.
Best for thick hair
This pocket-sized epilator has anti-pinch technology that’s helpful for large surfaces and hard-to-reach areas on the body, according to the brand. Reviewers say this epilator, which has a 4.0-star average rating from over 2,500 reviews on Amazon, is efficient, with many recommending the safeguard attachment for sensitive areas, like the bikini line.
How to shop for epilators
When shopping for an epilator, our experts recommend keeping factors like size and function in mind. Below we highlight their recommendations on what to consider:
- Size: Epilators that remove facial hair are usually smaller in size compared to those designed for the body since body epilator needs to cover more space. Regardless of the size of your device, Garshick recommends choosing a model that’s lightweight, easy to hold and won’t slip out of your hand.
- Function: Our experts recommend buying a device that’s specifically designed to target a certain area of your body. For example, if your face is your desired removal section area, look for models that are face-specific so you can accurately target those fine hairs that other devices cannot catch, says Chimento. You should also look for flexible attachments that you can contour to your body to help remove hair from specific target areas, says Garshick.
- Cordless versus corded: Corded options may limit where you are able to use your epilator and will most likely require you to use it on dry skin. Cordless epilators will give you the flexibility to use it in various places, but you will have to closely monitor its battery life.
- Wet versus dry: Some epilators are designed for wet or dry skin and in some cases, you can find devices that work on both. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, so it comes down to personal preference, according to our experts. Wet skin can cause hair to stick to the skin more. However, you may also experience slightly lower levels of discomfort because it can glide easier, according to Chimento. It’s all based on your personal tolerance level.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of epilators?
Since epilators remove the entire hair follicle — as compared to trimming the hair — it slows down the regrowth process. That’s because trimming still leaves the hair follicle intact, which can cause hair to grow back faster, according to Garshick.
Epilators are also generally great to use if you have sensitive skin since they cause little to no irritation — unlike waxing, according to our experts.
Epilators, unlike some other methods of hair removal, including lasers, require certain prerequisites as it pertains to hair type and color. For instance, if you have lighter hair, you might not be eligible to get laser done.
How do you use an epilator?
To help you get the most out of your epilator without irritating your skin, our experts recommend a few skin care tips:
Sanitize your device. To avoid infections or skin conditions like folliculitis, which occurs when the hair follicle is inflamed, be sure to clean your device between uses . Some brands have specific instructions, including wiping it down with an alcohol wipe, while others recommend rinsing it under water and letting it air dry.
Use a gentle, exfoliating body wash to cleanse the skin. Before epilating, you need to prep your skin. Garshick recommends using a gentle exfoliator like the CeraVe SA Body Wash to remove dead skin cells and make the hair more accessible.
Moisturize post procedure. After epilating, apply a gentle, noncomedogenic facial moisturizer and/or body lotion, like Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion, to hydrate the treated area.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. Her areas of expertise include pediatric and adult dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.
- Dr. Stacy Chimento is board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology. Her areas of expertise include pediatric and adult dermatology, hair restoration, chronic skin conditions, aesthetic treatments and more.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter who covered wellness and beauty for NBC Select. For this story, she interviewed two dermatologists and researched highly rated epilators on the market.
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