Discover the Best Hair Removal Method for You: Epilation vs Depilation

Many people get confused about the difference between depilation and epilation since they’re both the removal of unwanted body hair. In this article, we will explain the key differences between them and tell you about the different methods they contain.
Keep reading to learn more about it and make an informed decision that best fits your needs for your hair removal routine.

1. What hair removal methods are there?

Depilation implies removing the hair from the surface of the skin. The hair’s roots (hair follicles) remain undamaged.

The methods of depilation include:

• Shaving, manually or by means of electric razors, is an easy method of hair removal but unwanted hair regrows much faster. Make sure to always moisturize when shaving to prevent cuts and nicks.
• Cutting and trimming hair using a trimmer. If you’re not ready to let go of 100% of the hair, trimming can give you a smoother feel while still keeping part of your hair. It’s also a great option because it has no side effects.
• Chemical depilation using cosmetic products (they break the bonds of the protein chains that give the hair strength; and after that, the hair can be wiped away). When using these always make sure to do a test on a small area of your skin to see if you have some kind of allergy to the product before actually using it on the hair.

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Epilation means removing hair along with the roots. This is done either physically (like with tweezers or wax) or by destroying the hair follicles with a laser or electricity.

The methods of epilation include:

• Waxing is a great way of removing hair from large areas, but you should take into account that it can cause burns and it leaves a residue on the skin.
• Laser epilation uses light pulses to destroy the hair completely and is perfect for people with dark hair on light skin since the darker the hair, the more easily the laser destroys it.
• Sugaring, removing the hair with sugar paste, works in the same way as waxing, but it doesn’t leave any hard-to-remove residue, and the residue it does leave is easily washed away with warm water.
• Plucking. Using tweezers is a great way to remove hair in smaller areas of the body, like the eyebrows or any stray hair that grows randomly.
• The use of mechanical devices called epilators.
• Threading gets rid of hair in a similar way to plucking but using a twisted thread instead of tweezers. Its main advantage over plucking is that it can remove several hairs at once. It’s most common use is in shaping eyebrows.
• Electrolysis removes hair permanently by applying electricity to the root of the hair. Like laser, it requires several sessions and each hair must have the treatment individually. Although it’s one of the most permanent methods, it has several side effects, like the possibility of infection.

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2. Pros and cons

The main advantage of epilation is a longer-lasting result. Epilation procedures always cause discomfort and often lead to serious pain, while depilation is a more gentle option but with shorter-lasting results.

In general, when choosing a method for hair removal, you should consider the following:

1. The type of hair (soft or rigid, thick or thin):
   Depilation methods will get rid of any type of hair, while epilation methods usually require an accumulation of hair to work properly.
2. Your preferences and expectations:
   If you need long-lasting results opt for epilation, for the opposite, depilation.
3. The convenience of the procedure:
   Depilatory methods are usually easier to do at home, while epilation treatments will require a trip to the salon.
4. Your skin type (level of skin sensitivity):
   Sensitive skin will be affected by any type of hair removal, always try it on a small bit of skin/hair before going all in.
5. Your individual pain threshold (it can be high or low):
   Epilation comprises pulling out hair from the root, which will always end up being more painful than depilation methods. If you’re sensitive to pain, opt for the latter.
6. The area of the body intended for hair removal:
   Eyebrows are best shaped using tweezers or threading.
   For the underarms or the bikini line shaving is usually the most convenient and easy but waxing is also an option.
   Chemical depilation with creams works great for large areas of hair, like the chest or back. The same goes for waxing.

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3. How to care for your skin afterward

No matter which one you choose, you should take care of your skin afterward. Here are aftercare tips for some of the most popular methods:

• Shaving:
  1. Always moisturize afterward as shaving dries up your skin.
  2. Apply sunscreen, it will help your freshly shaved, now sensitive skin to protect itself from the sun.
  3. If you’re getting too itchy or red after shaving, you should try to take a break to let your skin recover.
• Waxing:
  1. Just like shaving, you should always moisturize after.
  2. If you feel your skin is very irritated, use a cold compress on the area. Don’t use an ice pack!
  3. Wear loose clothes, as it will prevent friction on the waxed areas, which in itself prevents a lot of irritation.
• Lasering:
  1. Like with waxing, cold compresses can help you reduce any inflammation after a treatment.
  2. If you get prescribed any creams, make sure to apply them as instructed.
  3. Apply sunscreen.
  4. Avoid shaving after the treatment.

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❗It’s always good to consult a professional before making a decision since a specialist can tell you what the appropriate hair removal method is and warn you about possible side effects.

What’s the best one for you and which do you use more? Tell us in the comments 😉

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