I Cried During Both – Here’s Which Hair Removal Hurt Less

I Cried During Both – Here’s Which Hair Removal Hurt Less

Let’s get one thing straight: I am not a hero. I don’t have a high pain tolerance, and I definitely didn’t sign up for hair removal expecting it to feel like a spa day. But here we are—after years of waxing, epilating, and the occasional regrettable DIY sugar wax disaster, I’ve learned the hard way which method makes you want to scream into a pillow… and which one just makes you whimper.

So, if you’ve ever sat on the bathroom floor, clutching your epilator like it just betrayed you, or silently cursed your waxing technician while tears welled up, this is for you. No fluff, no fake positivity—just the real, raw truth about which one hurts less (and how to survive both).

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The Contenders: Waxing vs. Epilating

Before we get to the pain rankings, let’s meet our competitors:

1. Waxing – The Swift But Savage One

Waxing is like that friend who rips off your bandage before you’re ready—fast, brutal, and over before you can process the pain. A trained esthetician (or your shaky hands at home) spreads warm wax, presses down a strip, and yank—hair is gone in one swift motion.

The Pain Profile:

• Type of pain: Sharp, stinging, “OH MY GOD WHY” intensity.

• Duration: A few seconds per pull.

• Aftermath: Red, angry skin that makes you question all your life choices.

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2. Epilating – The Slow But Sneaky Torture

An epilator is basically a mechanical troll that plucks out hairs one by one with tiny rotating tweezers. Unlike waxing, it doesn’t hurt all at once—instead, it’s a slow, creeping sensation that builds with every pass.

The Pain Profile:

• Type of pain: Like a swarm of ants nibbling at your legs.

• Duration: Longer (10+ minutes per leg), but less shocking.

• Aftermath: Less redness, but lingering sensitivity (like a sunburn from tiny tweezers).

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The Pain Showdown: Which One Actually Hurts More?

Alright, let’s settle this. I’ve rated both methods on a “Would I Do This Again?” scale (1 = never, 10 = sign me up).

Round 1: First-Time Pain

• Waxing: 8/10 – That first strip feels like betrayal. I’ve literally yelped in a salon.

• Epilating: 6/10 – The first few tugs aren’t terrible, but by minute five, you’re questioning your life.

Winner: Epilating (barely).

Round 2: Long-Term Pain (After Multiple Sessions)

• Waxing: 6/10 – Your skin kinda gets used to it, but coarse hair still stings.

• Epilating: 4/10 – Hair grows back finer, so future sessions hurt way less.

Winner: Epilating (by a mile).

Round 3: Worst Body Parts

• Underarms: Waxing wins (epilating here feels like medieval torture).

• Legs: Epilating wins (waxing large areas = more pain points).

• Bikini Line: Just… don’t. (But if you must, waxing is quicker agony.)

Overall Winner? Epilating hurts less in the long run—but only if you can handle the slow burn.

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How to Make Both Methods Less Miserable

I’m not leaving you hanging. Here’s how to survive (and maybe even master) both:

For Waxing:

✔ Pop an ibuprofen 30 mins before – Takes the edge off.
✔ Exfoliate the day before – Fewer ingrowns = less regret.
✔ Hold your skin taut – Loose skin = more pain.
✔ Breathe out when they pull – Sounds dumb, but it helps.

For Epilating:

✔ Do it after a shower – Open pores = less ouch.
✔ Start on low speed – Let your skin adjust before cranking it up.
✔ Pull skin tight – Less tugging = fewer tears.
✔ Distract yourself – Watch a show, call a friend, do anything to take your mind off it.

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The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Pick Waxing If…

• You want fast results (full legs in 20 mins vs. 40+ with epilating).

• You’d rather rip the bandage off than endure slow torture.

• You’re getting it done professionally (less room for error).

Pick Epilating If…

• You want long-term savings (no salon visits).

• You can handle slow discomfort for less pain over time.

• You hate sticky wax residue everywhere.

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Final Thoughts: (I Cried During Both – Here’s Which Hair Removal Hurt Less)