So this weekend I finally saved up enough money and bought a Braun Epil-7 off Amazon. Now that I've had a chance to try it, I've discovered that it does very well on my legs (and really didn't hurt too badly, to be honest) and did well on my arms, but I got a lot of ingrown hairs there. I'll probably stick to shaving my arms since I can do that fairly quickly and the results are satisfactory (and it hurts much less. )

But the big reason why I bought the thing was to get rid of the hair on my chest. I think it'll do a good job there, but the pain is nearly unbearable for me. I've tried using the wipes that came with the epilator, and a couple of topical analgesics, one menthol based and another lidocaine. Neither brought the pain down to a bearable level.

So my question for you ladies, is there anything else I can try?

I hope this isn't seen as trolling...

I've never tried an epilator, but I do want to get one. I have a really high tolerance for pain, I think. Here, watch this video. It's the slam section from a 1996 skateboarding video called Welcome to Hell.



Now the epilator doesn't seem so bad, does it? Also, and here's some practical advice, try doing deep breathing while epilating. Take slow, deep breaths. This helps the body handle pain, and the increased circulation will help your skin recover faster.

The first few times you use an epilator is going to be uncomfortable - you're removing all the hair in one go.   Over time, as the hairs become more sparse, it'll get easier.

A few things you could try:
Take a hot shower first, that will open up follicles and make the hairs easier to remove.
Don't forget to pull the skin taut as you go over an area - that will reduce pinching.
You could go the opposite route of heat, ice an area heavily to reduce sensation, but that will make it more likely that hairs will tear rather than be removed.

Topical anaesthetic on skin takes a long time to work.  Stuff like EMLA requires a contact time of at least 30 minutes before it has effect.  Skin is a remarkably effective barrier.

As for preventing ingrowns - exfoliate and keep using moisturiser.  I used to get a fair few ingrowns,  but the frequency seems to have reduced after being on HRT for a while.

I practice hypnotic pain control techniques. One of these might work for you:

1. Imagine a control room in your brain where there is a knob that controls the amount of pain you feel. Try it a few times by pinching yourself. Imagine yourself turning the knob up, so you feel more pain. Then try turning the knob down so you feel less pain. Get used to being able to control the amount of pain you feel.

2. Or concentrate on some other part of your body, one that is not being epilated,  your foot for example. As you epilate, imagine that the sensation in your foot is being transferred to your chest.

3. Imagine yourself on the other side of the room watching yourself epilate. You're outside your body (though still controlling it) so the pain your body feels is being felt by someone else.

Don't know if these will work. They all work really well for me - so much so that I actually enjoy epilating because I get to practice them.

My thoughts are the epilator works well, but it does take several uses..
I used one for a year and then it stopped working..I only did it on my legs though..
I just didnt order another..
I did just get in the NO!NO!  Gonna try it for a month and if no results, I can send it back..
So far it works...

Works a little on my face...

Quote from: Christy Edwards on October 02, 2013, 10:35:10 AM
My thoughts are the epilator works well, but it does take several uses..
I used one for a year and then it stopped working..I only did it on my legs though..
I just didnt order another..
I did just get in the NO!NO!  Gonna try it for a month and if no results, I can send it back..
So far it works...

Works a little on my face...

What is the nono? I went to their website and I can't find any actual description of what the product is. Is it an epilator? A razor? What does it do to remove hair?

Hey sorry taken soo long to reply.
NONO works like a laser..Burns the hair, no pain.
works well on legs and arms.
Hair does take longer to grow back.
Not worked as well on face yet..