Ow. OW! OwOwOwOwOwOwOwOw!!

It really wasn't that bad, but I will need to rethink epilation.

For those who aren't familiar with epilators, they are a device that Torquemada would have used to get heretics to confess, if only there had been electricity in the 15th century.  They (the epilators, not the Inquisitors) use little tiny tweezers to rip the hair from your person.  It is then neatly strewn about your room and the surface of your body, where the little roots stick to anything, without prejudice.

I tried my Braun epilator on my arms and legs prior to my Colorado trip.  I did this more than once.  It's an experiment, and I'm not done yet.

There Is Pain.  It's not horrible, and this battery-powered device claims to work wet or dry, although I only tried it dry.  I'm guessing wet it wouldn't have enough traction to yank out hairs.

Considering the number of hairs it missed, I'm also guessing a plug-in model might work better.  And, in hindsight, considering the difference between coarse male body hair and finer female body hair, a device made for men might have been a better choice.

I tried to follow the instructions carefully.  This meant keeping skin taut, which is difficult when you're working on an arm or a hand.

Sometimes, I'd go over an area and it would look the same.  The epilator head would have hairs stuck to it, and my arm would have hairs lying on it, but it seemed like it missed a lot.  After I had made several passes, I went over the area with a razor.

An epilator is not for last-minute touch up.  Your skin will not look pleasant for a few hours after the procedure.

I avoided areas that might be more sensitive than others, such as my chest, especially after it grabbed my arm a couple of times.  The device would catch, the motor would hum instead of spin, and I'd be left with a hickey.

After covering an area, I'd think "that didn't hurt a LOT" and then there'd be a kind of regional pain that's hard to describe.  It was, thankfully, short-lived and maybe would have responded well to topical witch hazel, or internal tequila.  I didn't have immediate access to either.

I don't think I had allowed the hair to grow out enough before testing the device.  As I said, I am going to give it another test in a couple of weeks.

Right now, I have a bigger problem.

I have shaved, waxed, and tweezed.  In the past, I have raised moustaches and beards.

NOTHING itched like the post-epilation hairs growing back.  Without even thinking about it, I have scratched my wrist raw.  I am now doing my best to resist the urge, but it's difficult.  I'll be with extended family next week and I rarely worry about my hairless arms attracting attention, but now I have little scabs and redness attracting attention to my arms, which are mostly hairless.

I admit, if I were to go out tomorrow I'd just have to do a once-over to pick up the stray hairs.  My understanding is, hairs grow at different intervals and there were hairs that were yanked and hairs that were below the skin at yanktime, and those hidden hairs are now in full bloom.  They would have to go.  The hairs on my arms and hands are sparse right now.  I need to figure out how to prevent the grabbing and the itching.  I need to wait a couple of weeks until the hairs are all rip length.  I need some time alone so I can use this without the boys wondering what the heck dad's doing now.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go scratch.

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Hair Today

I'm pretty sure I used that subject before....

I'm writing in advance because I expect to not have time to get a post in today.

As I mentioned yesterday, I bought an epilator on Saturday.  Saturday afternoon, my wife was out and my youngest was at a friend's house.  I sent my oldest out to pick him up and that meant about 20 minutes on my own.  I had charged the epilator earlier that day; since my office is in the basement I could hide a plug for an hour and no-one would notice.

When the house was empty, I tried the epilator on my right leg.  It was disappointing, but it was also not a great test.  I had been shaving arms and legs as I shaved each day, knowing I'd be going out soon.  I only stopped a couple of days earlier and I don't think the hairs are at an optimal length.

I wanted to do my arms instead, but knew I'd be wearing short sleeves Sunday, so I didn't.  I thought of doing my chest, but didn't want to risk showing red dots, if that was the result.

Probably because the hair wasn't that dense, it didn't hurt horribly.  It did feel like I should be bleeding after I was done.  I wasn't.  It also didn't leave a lasting impression.  Sunday, my legs looked fine.  The one I tested on didn't look different from the other (except for the lack of hair).

Sunday, my wife is out again.  I'm skipping another clothing swap because tax day is coming and I am not prepared.  At 6, I will take my youngest to Sunday school; his brother will pick him up at 8.

That means I have two hours to try the epilator on my arms (no short sleeves before I go), pack Meg's stuff without prying eyes, and have dinner.

If necessary, I can skip dinner.  My plan is 1 ~ epilate arms and maybe more.  2 ~ pack while it recharges.  3 ~ unplug the darn thing before the boys get home!

I wrote the above Sunday afternoon, which explains why I'm being even worse than usual with tenses.  If I have time after 8, I'll add a review of my episperience.  I think I coined a new word ~ and not a very good one at that. :D

By the way, this is the Braun I wanted to get. and this is the one I bought. I paid $20 more by not ordering. And remember, if you follow either link and order anything, I get a peso or something.

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