One of the best things about having so many hair removal options is that you can pick and choose which ones you want to use and when. For example, at home, you may be alright with shaving, yet find it a hassle when you’re on the go.
Similarly, those who normally wax themselves may whip out their epilators when they’re traveling for extended periods.
Epilators are one-time investments you can use forever. In addition to all the other benefits they provide, they’re portable, making them extremely travel-friendly.
However, many people worry and ask the question, “Can we Carry Epilators in Flight?” when they’re unsure about what is allowed on an aircraft.
We understand that air travel rules can be confusing. There are limitations to seemingly harmless things like toiletries as well, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to airplane rules and regulations.
Fortunately, in this guide, we have discussed everything about epilators, from what they are and why they’re beneficial to whether or not they’re allowed on flights.
Keep on reading to find out whether you can take your epilator with you on your next vacation and whether an epilator is the best hair removal tool for your hair removal needs.
Is Epilation Suitable for You?
Whether or not epilation is suitable for you depends on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Hair removal methods are very personal to each individual and depend on their preferences, pain tolerance, and other factors.
Because of this, we have mentioned all the pros and cons of this hair removal method. By reading our breakdown, you can determine whether epilation truly is the right choice for you and your needs.
Advantages of Epilating
Using an epilator has several advantages. There’s a reason it’s becoming increasingly popular. Check out some of the biggest advantages epilating offers below.
Easy to Use
Epilators may seem complicated, but they’re very easy to use. It will take you maybe one or two tries before mastering the process since it’s so simple. Additionally, since it’s easy to do at home, you don’t have to go to the salon and pay someone to do it for you.
Use the following steps for best results:
- Make sure to exfoliate the previous day.
- Connect or charge your device and find a place to epilate.
- Hold your skin taut before making any passes with the epilator.
- Hold the epilator at a 90° angle and run it along your skin in the direction of hair growth. If you do it in the opposite direction, it will break the hair instead of pulling it from the root.
- Once you’re done epilating, clean your epilator and remove all hair in the device before putting it away.
- Moisturize your legs with a fragrance-free moisturizer or with aloe vera gel.
No Waiting for Hair Growth
Hair removal methods like waxing require waiting for the hair to grow at least ¼ inch before you attempt to remove it again. This is because if the hair is too short, the wax won’t adhere to the hair and remove it.
You don’t have to wait for this growth with an epilator since they can remove hair as short as 1/8 of an inch. Some advanced epilators even remove hair as short as 0.5 mm.
Affordable and No Waste
Waxing gives us long-lasting results, but it requires wax, strips, pre-wax oil, and so much more. Shaving requires razor blades and shaving cream.
Epilation is more affordable than other options because it’s a one-time expense on a machine that will last you years.
There are no additional costs like buying replacement razor blades. When you add up the costs that come along with other hair removal methods, the initial amount spent on an epilator almost seems negligible in comparison.
Long-Lasting Results
One of the best things about epilation is its long-lasting nature. Like using wax, using an epilator takes out hair from the root, causing it to grow back more slowly.
While methods like shaving require regular maintenance, this isn’t true for epilation. You can epilate twice a month instead of shaving every couple of days and enjoy the same result, i.e., silky-smooth skin.
Suitable for All Skin Types and Areas
In addition to being affordable and long-lasting, epilation is also suitable for all skin types, including dry skin and sensitive skin. Unlike waxing, it does not exfoliate the top layer of the skin, and repeated passes over the same area do not result in irritation.
Similarly, it doesn’t have the same problem as depilatory creams, which use chemicals that can irritate the skin.
Furthermore, while you can use some hair removal methods like threading only on facial hair and smaller areas, epilation isn’t limited in this way. You can epilate large areas like your arms and legs but can also epilate smaller areas like your upper lip and sideburns.
Since most epilators come with multiple caps, you can even use them on underarm hair in the bikini area.
Sparser and Thinner Hair
When hair regrowth does occur, the hair grows back thinner and sparser. Regular epilation may not completely remove hair permanently, but it does reduce hair growth over time.
Additionally, it’s easier to manage and less noticeable since the hair grows back thinner and softer.
Quick and Convenient
Epilating is quick in a lot of ways. It’s much quicker than waxing, and with a bit of practice, it should also be quicker than shaving.
However, one of the main ways it saves time is because it lets you remove hair yourself at home. Instead of having to book an appointment, get dressed, go to the salon, wait for your aesthetician, and get the treatment done, you can do it in the comfort of your own home without spending any time on unnecessary things.
Additionally, it can be more discreet than having to go to the salon and having strangers look at your bikini area if you’re shy or reserved.
Furthermore, no one can deny the convenience of epilators. There’s no mess like with shaving and waxing. All you need to do is plug it in (or turn it on) and start epilating.
Since there’s only one thing to pack, it’s also great for travelling. If you’re thinking, “Can we carry epilator in flight?” the answer is yes. We discuss this in detail further on in the article.
Disadvantages of Epilating
No hair removal method is all roses, and the same is true for epilating. While it’s convenient, long-lasting, and affordable, some disadvantages come along with it.
We have provided these as well so you can make an informed decision on your preferred method of hair removal.
Pain
The biggest disadvantage associated with epilation is the pain that people feel. However, it’s important to know that your first time or first couple of times epilating are the most painful.
After this, you get used to the sensation and don’t feel it as much. While using an epilator does cause more pain than shaving and using depilatory cream, it amounts to mild discomfort compared with the pain of waxing.
Additionally, a lot of epilators come with built-in massage heads that can reduce the feeling of pain. You can also use some epilators in the water for a less painful result.
Ingrown Hair
If not done properly, epilation can result in ingrown hair. For example, if you don’t hold the device at the right angle or move too quickly, you can end up breaking off hair instead of pulling it out by the root.
This, in turn, can result in ingrown hair, wherein the hair curves and grows under the skin.
Mild Redness
While epilation doesn’t result in irritation, those with sensitive skin may suffer from redness after an epilating session.
This is temporary and does fade eventually, but it’s an unfortunate side effect that means that those with sensitive skin will need to wait for the redness to die down before baring their skin.
Can We Carry Epilator in Flight?
We all want silky-smooth arms and legs on vacation but despite waxing and epilation being long-lasting, they don’t completely eliminate hair growth. Whether it’s two weeks later or a month later, you’ll have to remove unwanted hair again.
Short vacations are easy since you can epilate beforehand and remain hair-free the entire vacation. However, longer vacations are tricky. If you’re going to be at your destination for a while, you’ll need a method of hair removal.
While waxing is messy, shaving can be dangerous and annoying if you accidentally cut yourself. Epilation seems like the best way forward, but can we carry epilator in flight?
The answer is yes.
Since epilators don’t have sharp points as razors do, they can be carried on flights in both your carry-on and checked luggage.
However, just because they’re allowed on board doesn’t mean that this won’t be a hassle. Use the following tips to ensure that you don’t face any problems.
Store It Safely
Because of the lack of sharp points, you don’t have to pack an epilator with too much care.
However, you do have to make sure to pack it so that it doesn’t get damaged on the plane. Make sure it’s secure and doesn’t come into contact with other sharp objects.
Another storage hack is to keep your epilator along with its accessories in one place. It’s tempting to try and use all the packing hacks you see online by stuffing things in your shoes and other small spaces.
However, in truth, while this maximizes space, it makes unpacking and looking for your belongings much harder.
If you pack your epilator, its charger, and the various heads in a single box or pouch, you won’t have to waste precious time looking for the items in different parts of your bag.
Be Careful With Liquids
If you’ve traveled before, you know how hectic it can be to be stopped because of packing liquids incorrectly.
After epilation, if your skin is irritated, you may choose to bring calming products like aloe vera gel, a hydrocortisone cream, or a fragrance-free moisturizer.
No matter which kind of products you opt for, you must ensure that they’re packed carefully.
Transport Security Administration (TSA) has strict rules for liquids, creams, and gels. If you’re traveling with a carry-on bag and choose to store your liquid products in it, they have to be in containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller.
Additionally, all of these containers have to fit inside a single quart-sized bag, which will be removed from your carry-on during the screening process.
If you have containers that carry more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml), they must be inside your checked baggage. This is true even if the amount inside them is less than 100 ml.
Therefore, unless you’re flying with a checked bag, it’s crucial to ensure that your liquid, cream, and gel products are in travel-size containers.
Take Out the Batteries
Batteries are technically allowed to remain inside your epilator on a flight. However, if your battery-operated epilator is in your checked baggage, there’s a possibility it could be turned on accidentally.
The people handling your luggage aren’t very gentle with it and passengers report their electric razors and other items turning on during travel.
To some, this may just be an annoyance to deal with when they land, but for others, it may destroy their device or land them in trouble and cause embarrassment if others notice their luggage vibrating.
To prevent this from happening, simply remove the batteries from the device and pack them separately.
Final Thoughts
It often takes experimentation and trying and failing until you find the perfect hair removal method.
If epilation is that method for you, it can be even more confusing to wonder, “Can we carry epilator in flight?” Once you find something that works, it can be difficult to go back to relying on a hair removal method that has failed you in the past. Whether it’s being burned from waxing or cutting yourself shaving, we’ve all been there.
Hopefully, this deep dive into epilation, its pros and cons, and air travel and carry-on rules helped inform you about all you need to do to prepare before your next flight.