Even experienced epilators can fall into habits that compromise their results or damage their devices. Whether you're new to epilation or have been doing it for years, reviewing common mistakes can help you refine your technique and get better outcomes. Here are the ten most frequent errors we see—and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Epilating Hair That's Too Long or Too Short
Hair length is one of the most critical factors in successful epilation, yet it's frequently overlooked.
The Problem: Hair that's too short (under 2mm) won't be gripped effectively by the tweezers, leading to frustrating sessions where you pass over the same area repeatedly without removing hair. Hair that's too long (over 5mm) can become tangled in the tweezers, causing increased pain and potentially breaking rather than being pulled from the root.
The Solution: Aim for hair length between 2-5mm—approximately the length of a grain of rice. If your hair is too long, trim it first using a trimmer attachment or scissors. If you've just shaved, wait 3-5 days for adequate regrowth before epilating.
💡 Quick Length Check
Can you easily see individual hairs when you look at your skin? If they're clearly visible but not long enough to lie flat against your skin, you're in the ideal range for epilation.
Mistake #2: Moving the Epilator Too Quickly
The Problem: Rushing through epilation might seem like it would minimise discomfort by getting it over with quickly. In reality, moving too fast means the tweezers can't grip hair effectively, resulting in missed hairs, broken hair shafts, and the need for multiple passes—which actually increases both time and discomfort.
The Solution: Move the epilator slowly and steadily against the direction of hair growth. Think of it as guiding the device rather than racing it across your skin. The tweezers need time to rotate and grip each hair properly. Slower movements also reduce the tugging sensation since hairs are gripped at the optimal point.
Mistake #3: Pressing Too Hard
The Problem: Many people instinctively press the epilator firmly into their skin, thinking more pressure equals better results. However, excessive pressure actually bunches the skin, making it harder for tweezers to access hair follicles. It can also cause skin to be pinched or caught in the mechanism, leading to pain and potential bruising.
The Solution: Use light, gentle pressure. The epilator should glide over your skin, not dig into it. If you're pressing hard enough to leave temporary indentation marks on your skin, you're pressing too hard. Many premium epilators include pressure sensors that warn you when force is excessive—take these warnings seriously.
Mistake #4: Epilating Against Direction of Hair Growth (Wrong Way)
The Problem: Wait—didn't we just say to move against hair growth? Yes, but there's a common confusion here. You should move the epilator against the direction of growth, but ensure the tweezers' rotation is pulling in that same direction. Some people hold their epilator incorrectly, so the tweezers are actually pushing hair down rather than lifting and pulling it out.
The Solution: Check your epilator's manual to understand how the tweezers rotate. Most epilators have a clear indicator showing the correct direction of movement. The tweezers should "scoop" hair upward and out, against the direction of growth.
⚠️ Body Area Variations
Remember that hair grows in different directions on different body areas. Underarm hair often grows in multiple directions, requiring you to epilate from different angles. Take a moment to observe hair growth direction before starting each area.
Mistake #5: Skipping Skin Preparation
The Problem: Jumping straight into epilation without proper preparation leads to increased pain, more ingrown hairs, and less effective hair removal. Dead skin cells can trap hair and prevent clean extraction, while oils and lotions on skin prevent tweezers from gripping properly.
The Solution: Develop a pre-epilation routine:
- Exfoliate 24-48 hours before epilation
- Ensure skin is clean and free of products
- For dry epilation, make sure skin is completely dry
- For wet epilation, spend at least 5 minutes in warm water first
Mistake #6: Neglecting Aftercare
The Problem: Many people finish epilating and immediately return to their normal routine—applying deodorant, taking hot showers, going out in the sun, or wearing tight clothing. This can lead to irritation, bumps, ingrown hairs, and even infection of open follicles.
The Solution: Follow a proper aftercare routine:
- Apply aloe vera or fragrance-free moisturiser immediately after
- Avoid heat (hot showers, saunas, sun) for 24 hours
- Wait 24 hours before applying deodorant to underarms
- Wear loose, breathable clothing
- Begin gentle exfoliation after 48 hours to prevent ingrown hairs
Mistake #7: Not Holding Skin Taut
The Problem: Loose, relaxed skin is harder for epilators to work on effectively. Hair is gripped less cleanly, skin can be pulled along with the hair (ouch!), and some hairs slip past the tweezers entirely.
The Solution: Always use your free hand to stretch the skin taut in the area you're epilating. This creates a flat surface for the epilator, allows tweezers to grip hair closer to the root, and significantly reduces discomfort. This technique is especially important for areas with naturally looser skin, like upper thighs and underarms.
✨ Technique Tip
Think of it like ironing clothes—you get the best results when the fabric is pulled flat and smooth. The same principle applies to your skin during epilation.
Mistake #8: Never Cleaning the Epilator
The Problem: Hair, dead skin cells, and natural oils accumulate in the epilator head after each use. This debris reduces the effectiveness of the tweezers, creates a breeding ground for bacteria, and can eventually damage the mechanism. Using a dirty epilator is like using a dirty razor—unhygienic and ineffective.
The Solution: Clean your epilator after every single use:
- Use the included cleaning brush to remove hair from between tweezers
- Rinse the head under warm water (wet/dry models only)
- Allow to dry completely before storing
- Disinfect with alcohol weekly
- Replace the epilation head every 12-18 months with regular use
Mistake #9: Giving Up After One Session
The Problem: Many people try epilation once, find it uncomfortable, and conclude that epilation "isn't for them." This is a mistake because the first session is genuinely the most challenging one. You're removing hair that has never been epilated before, from follicles that have never experienced this process.
The Solution: Commit to at least three or four sessions before making a judgment. Here's what happens with consistent use:
- Session 1: Most uncomfortable—all hair is thick and follicles are tight
- Session 2: Noticeably easier—hair is finer, fewer hairs present
- Session 3: Much more tolerable—skin has adapted, hair is sparser
- Session 4+: Many users describe it as barely uncomfortable
The transformation between sessions one and four is remarkable. Don't give up before experiencing it.
Mistake #10: Using the Wrong Epilator for Your Needs
The Problem: Not all epilators are suitable for all purposes. Using a body epilator on your face can cause damage and excessive pain. Using a basic corded model when you'd benefit from wet epilation means missing out on comfort benefits. Choosing a 72-tweezer professional model as your first epilator can be overwhelming.
The Solution: Match your epilator to your specific needs:
- For beginners: Choose a model with fewer tweezers (28-40) and wet/dry capability
- For facial use: Only use epilators with dedicated facial caps or facial-specific devices
- For sensitive skin: Look for massage attachments and wet/dry use
- For efficiency: Higher tweezer counts (60+) speed up sessions once you're experienced
- For travel: Consider cordless models with good battery life
🎯 Bonus Mistake: Comparing to Shaving
Epilation and shaving are fundamentally different hair removal methods with different timelines and expectations. Shaving is quick and painless but lasts 1-3 days. Epilation has a learning curve but provides 3-4 weeks of smoothness. They're not directly comparable—appreciate epilation for its own benefits.
Creating Better Habits
Now that you know the common mistakes, here's a quick checklist for your next session:
- ☐ Hair is the correct length (2-5mm)
- ☐ Skin is exfoliated and clean
- ☐ Epilator is clean and charged
- ☐ Moving slowly against hair growth
- ☐ Using light pressure
- ☐ Holding skin taut
- ☐ Aftercare products ready
- ☐ Loose clothing prepared for afterward
With these adjustments, you should notice immediate improvements in your epilation results and comfort level. Remember, technique improves with practice—each session is an opportunity to refine your approach.