TL;DR
- Epilators work on men's hair and can keep skin smooth for up to three or four weeks.
- The Braun Silk-épil 3 is the low-cost starter, with over 22,000 ratings.
- Shave three to four days before your first session so hairs are short and even.
- A wet-and-dry model used in a warm shower is usually less painful.
- Exfoliate twice a week so regrowth doesn't turn into ingrown hairs.
An epilator for men gives you waxing results at home, with no wax and no appointments. Here's which models handle coarse male hair, how to make the first session hurt less, and where not to use one.
Does an Epilator Work for Men?
An epilator works on men's body hair the same way it works on anyone's. It pulls hair out at the root, so skin can stay smooth for up to three or four weeks, close to waxing.
- Works on short hair: a few millimeters is enough, so you don't grow it out like you do for wax.
- One-time cost: no refills, cartridges, or salon bills.
- The catch: the first sessions sting, and thick hair takes time on large areas like the legs.
The second and third sessions usually hurt less than the first. By then, hair grows back on different cycles, so there's less of it to pull at once.
Photo by Julen Nielfa Gracia on Unsplash
How an Epilator Works on Male Body Hair
The head of an epilator has a row of tiny metal tweezers on a rotating drum. As you glide it over skin, they close on hairs and pull them out at the root as the drum spins.
More tweezers means fewer passes. The budget Silk-épil 3 has 20, while higher-end models usually have more and a wider head, which helps on thick male leg and chest hair.
Photo by Joachim Schnürle on Unsplash
Shaving cuts hair at the surface, so stubble shows in a day or two. Epilating removes the whole hair, so regrowth comes in as soft new tips instead of blunt stubble.
Best Epilator for Men
We weighed rating and review count on Amazon. The Braun Silk-épil 3 leads by a wide margin, with over 22,000 ratings, and it's a lower-cost way to find out whether epilating suits you.
Pick an Epilator
Tap a cardTap the one that matches how you'll use it.
The Braun Silk-épil 9 adds a pivoting head that follows the shape of knees and ankles. It's worth it once you know you'll epilate long term.
- Tweezer count: more tweezers cover thick male hair in fewer passes.
- Head width: a wide head speeds up legs. A narrow cap helps on underarms and knees.
- Wet and dry: lets you epilate in the shower or bath.
- Cordless: easier to move around your body and into the shower.
How to Use an Epilator for Men: First Session
- Shave or trim three to four days before so hairs are short and even.
- Exfoliate the day before to free hairs lying flat.
- Start on your lower legs. The skin there is less sensitive than the chest or thighs.
- Pull the skin taut with your free hand.
- Hold the head flat and move slowly against the hair growth. Don't press hard.
- Moisturize after with something fragrance-free.
Go at night for your first session so any redness has overnight to fade.
Why the First Session Is Slow
Your first full leg will take longer than you expect, since you're still learning the angle. Later sessions go faster as you get the hang of it.
Does Epilating Hurt More for Men?
Thicker roots take more force to pull, so the first session on male leg or chest hair stings more than it does on fine hair. For most people, the sting eases after the first few sessions.
- Epilate in a warm shower with a wet-and-dry model. Warm water relaxes the skin.
- Keep hair short. Long hair tangles and pulls several at once.
- Go slowly. Fast strokes miss hairs, which means more passes.
- Stick to a schedule. Every week or two keeps each session short.
Photo by natalia menin on Unsplash
Some epilators come with a massage or cooling cap that clips over the head. The extra sensation can make the pull feel less sharp.
Do one shin the first night, then the other the next night. Splitting it up makes the first week easier, and you learn the right angle on a less sensitive spot.
Wet vs Dry Epilator for Men
A dry-only epilator works on clean, dry skin. A wet-and-dry model also works in the shower or bath, where warm water softens the skin and many people find it less painful.
Dry or Wet and Dry?
Pick by where you'll use it.
Dry epilating can grip slightly better, since wet hair can slip. If pain is what's stopping you, the wet model is usually worth the extra cost.
- Rinse the head under running water after every wet session.
- Let it dry with the cap off before storing it.
- Brush out dry sessions with a small cleaning brush so hair doesn't clog the tweezers.
Where Men Can Use an Epilator
| Area | Epilate? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legs and arms | Yes | The easiest place to start |
| Underarms | Yes, carefully | Trim first and pull skin flat |
| Chest and stomach | Yes, once you're used to it | More sensitive, go slowly |
| Back | Hard solo | You can't hold the skin taut |
| Face | Use a face model | Body heads are too large |
| Groin | Not recommended | Thin skin and coarse hair |
For the face, the Braun FaceSpa Pro is a facial epilator that also has a cleansing brush. Our facial hair guide covers shaving, dermaplaning, and cream for the face.
Photo by Rob Wilson on Unsplash
Underarm hair grows in several directions, so pull the skin flat with your other hand and work in short strokes from a few angles. Raise your arm above your head to stretch the skin.
Spots to Avoid With an Epilator
- Moles and raised skin tags.
- Cuts, scrapes, or sunburn.
- Irritated skin, such as active razor bumps or a rash.
Epilator Side Effects: Ingrown Hairs and Bumps
DermNet lists pain, inflamed hair follicles, ingrown hairs, dark marks, and scarring as side effects of epilation. Bumps and ingrowns usually show up as new hairs grow back.
Exfoliate gently twice a week, starting a few days after you epilate. Wear loose clothes over freshly epilated skin for the rest of the day.
Photo by Sarah Dao on Unsplash
Small red dots right after a session are normal and usually fade within a few hours. Bumps that last days, or dark marks that stay, are a sign to space sessions out or try a different method.
Aftercare for the First 24 Hours
- Skip deodorant on freshly epilated underarms until the sting fades.
- Keep the area out of the sun for a day.
- Avoid hot tubs and pools until the redness fades.
Is an Epilator Right for You?
What matters most to you?
If bumps keep coming back, our ingrown hair prevention guide covers the full routine.
Epilator vs Waxing vs Shaving
| Shaving | Waxing | Epilator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth for | 1-3 days | 3-6 weeks | 3-4 weeks |
| Hair length needed | Any | About 1/4 inch | A few millimeters |
| Pain | None | High | High at first |
| Ongoing cost | Blades and cream | Wax or salon visits | None |
Over a year, an epilator usually costs less than waxing, since there's nothing to rebuy. The trade is your time: a full leg session at home takes longer than a salon wax.
An epilator suits guys who want wax-length results without growing hair out between sessions. If you'd rather never feel it, our hair removal cream guide covers the painless option.
Your Epilator Kit
Start with the epilator alone. Add an exfoliating glove and a calming oil once you've done a few sessions and know which spots get bumps.
The Epilating Starter Kit
Tick what you already own. The rest is what's missing.
There's nothing to rebuy with an epilator. Clean it after each use, charge it, and it can last for years.
Planning to epilate your chest? Our chest hair removal guide covers the sensitive spots, and the hair removal guide compares every method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. An epilator pulls hair from the root on any body, so skin can stay smooth for up to three or four weeks. Thick male hair takes more passes, so a model with more tweezers and a wider head helps.
Thicker roots take more force to pull, so the first session stings more than it does on fine hair. It gets easier once regrowth comes in on different cycles, and epilating in a warm shower helps.
Up to three or four weeks for most people, close to waxing, because the hair comes out at the root. Regrowth comes in with soft tapered tips instead of blunt stubble.
If you want wax-length results without salon visits, usually yes. There's nothing to rebuy, so over a year an epilator usually costs less than waxing. The trade is your time and some discomfort.
Reviewed by Alex Hayward · Last reviewed April 12, 2026
Alex Hayward—7+ years of grooming & skincare editorial experience
How we pick products
- We research dozens of products in every category, reading real customer reviews and ingredient lists.
- Where possible, we test products ourselves or consult skincare professionals for first-hand feedback.
- We prioritize products that are widely available, fairly priced, and well-reviewed by other men with similar goals.
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