I've been epilating for many years, so I can't comment on pain. My previous epilator, which I reviewed on 4/1/2012, stopped working efficiently, and rather than buy a replacement head, I decided to buy a new system. I was drawn to this one because of the shaving attachment; I don't epilate my thighs and got tired of dragging out my old Braun shaver and plugging it in to use it.
My prime worries:
-- Pinched skin. My beloved Phillips never pinched my skin, not once, but my old Braun pinched me bloody all the time around my knees and underarms. I've used the Panasonic twice and NO pinching at all. The instructions say not to use it on knees, but I did anyway. No problem!
-- Time. I used to have to set aside an hour with my original Braun; the Phillips worked in half that time or even less. The Panasonic takes me around 20 minutes for legs and underarms; I go about 2 inches above my knee. I'm glad the Panasonic doesn't take longer than the Phillips, and I think it's actually a little bit faster.
Unexpected bonuses:
-- Pivoting head. I didn't know that I needed it, but I love it!
-- Underarm attachment. The separate, smaller attachment makes epilating my underarms SO MUCH EASIER. My Phillips was problematic in that area after I got in shape a year ago, lost my arm flab, and developed serious arm muscles. I could NOT epilate my armpits properly without contorting like a pretzel to try to make the area flat, and even then I couldn't get all the hairs. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it was really hard! Who knew that underarms could have such curves?
-- Soap! You can put soap on the wet/dry attachment heads and run it to clean it. Though I was able to rinse the Phillips with water, I couldn't use soap on it. I think it just got grungy over time and that's why it stopped grabbing hairs that were staring it right in the face.
Some slight cons:
-- You CANNOT use the Panasonic while plugged in since it's a wet/dry appliance. The Phillips still worked while plugged in, which was good because the charge always ran out before I was done with both legs and underarms. So far with the Panasonic, a single charge is plenty for me to do underarms and legs. The battery light doesn't even turn on, but I've been charging it after using so that it's ready for next time.
-- It's smaller than my other epilators and has buttons right where my fingers hold it, in front and back. I have to make sure I'm not pressing too hard, otherwise I might decrease the speed (front button) or pop the attachment off (back button).
-- The shaver attachment hurts a little on my thighs! I didn't realize that I'm supposed to pop something up, so that might be why. I'll try again.
What I haven't tried:
-- The gentle/novice protector cover thing.
-- Bikini line. I went through that initial blinding pain once for my bikini line years ago, but then a big pregnant belly kept me from keeping up with it. I have not been brave enough to go through it again, so I don't know how well the Panasonic does in that area.
-- Foot attachment. I'm sure I'll try it once Spring actually shows up.
Other notes:
The instructions suggest doing underarms once a week and legs once every two weeks. Ha! Can anyone really go that long? I do my underarms twice a week because I'm scared that if I go longer, it will hurt to do it again. It was utter madness to do it the first time, years ago, but has not hurt at all since then (really, I feel *nothing* doing my underarms). I must reiterate: if you can get through the unbearable torture of epilating your underarms once, it will be worth it! Just give yourself lots of time and a comfy spot nearby for all the near-fainting spells. My legs would benefit from 2x/week but I am lazy.
I think it's funny that I've been anxious about replacing my epilator each time, and each time I wonder why I waited so long!
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A Successful First-Time Epilation Experience!
I was incredibly pleased with my purchase of this epilator. I had never tried epilation before, so as a first-timer, I wanted an epilator that had the most versatility, didn't break the bank, and would offer a gentle first-time experience.After researching other products and manufacturers, I chose this epilator because it's wireless and could be used in both wet and dry applications. I also liked the multiple attachments.My First Experience: For my first epilation experience, I tried using the gentle head on low speed in the bath. I added liquid body soap to the epilator to create foam. I thought this would be the gentlest way to approach my first-time hair removal, and boy was I mistaken! I learned that this approach was slow and only pulled a few hairs at a time. I learned that I prefer a dry application at high speed without the gentle cap. The entire process was painful (as expected!), but I had the best success using it a little bit each day instead of trying to remove all of the hair at once. A few other reviews mention that this product may grab skin. I did have it pinch me once but it did not hurt or tear skin. Light touches work the best.Areas of Use: The manual specifies that the epilator should not be used on the inner side of the upper arms and areas such as elbows or knees, which are prone to sagging. I have used this product on these areas, and I have also used it (carefully) on my face, and I had no issues with it. I pulled my skin tight where possible, and that helped avoid any issues.Attachments: I was surprised how much I loved all of the attachments. The pedicare attachment is my favorite! I was also very pleased how easy it was to use the shaver with the bikini comb.Cleaning: The epilator is easy to clean. I run the epilator head under water, disinfect using rubbing alcohol, and let it air dry.Charging: The epilator does not run while charging. The charger is ETL safety-tested, although I personally prefer UL-listed products. Charge time is approximately 1 hour.Battery Life: The manual (page 20) notes that the battery life is 3 years if charged once every week. I am hoping it lasts much longer than 3 years.Run Time: The epilator may run for 30 minutes on high speed and 40 minutes on low speed. Since mine is new, I have not had an issue with the epilator running out of batteries during use.Cons:The attachment release button on the back of the epilator is in the exact spot where I tend to hold it, so during use, my grip kept releasing the epilator head, and it would clunk to the floor. I have now gotten used to it, but I wish Panasonic didn’t make the release button so huge that it could be accidentally pushed.I wish Panasonic used more durable plastic for this product. All of the attachments and caps seem very flimsy. I am normally very careful with the product, so I’m not too concerned about it, but without care, the plastic could easily break if dropped.Conclusion:I am very happy with my purchase. Although there are a few improvements that Panasonic can make to this model, this epilator worked well for me, and I have been using it regularly as my new hair removal method. Highly recommend!
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