Hair Removal: Depilation Vs Epilation

When it comes to hair removal, the difference between depilation and epilation is fundamental. Depilation is the removal of hair at the skin’s surface, while epilation is the removal of the hair below the skin.

Examples of Depilation

Shaving – Hair is tugged and cut off at the skin’s surface. This can actually make hair appear to be darker, stronger and more coarse-feeling as it quickly grows back.

Depilatories – Depilatories are composed of harsh chemicals which work to disintegrate the hair at the hairline, weakening hair and allowing it to be rubbed off. The chemicals in depilatories can be very irritating to the skin, leaving redness and soreness where used.

Abrasives – There are several types of abrasives. They are often like a mild sand paper, used to remove fine hair by rubbing it off, leaving the skin irritated.

Threading – Hair is tugged out by a very impressive ancient art of hair removal by a quick manipulation of hands, fingers, mouth and thread. A high percentage of of hair is broken.

Examples of Epilation

Waxing – Wax is available in various forms, i.e., hot wax, cold wax or liquid wax, yet they all share several similarities. All wax products contain chemicals, beeswax and/or resins, and are removed using cloth strips or the wax is allowed to harden (dry) on the skin and removed by gripping the edge of the wax.

Electrolysis – With this method, a fine probe (needle) is inserted into the follicle until it reaches the root. Electricity (galvanised current) is then conducted through the needle to kill the hair root.

Tweezing – Removing hair with tweezers is an ancient rite – and certainly has not improved much over the years. In modern times, women generally limit tweezing to the eyebrows.

Laser – Lasers use a process called photothermolysis. It consists of an invisible laser beam being cast over the area to be treated.