Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (2024)

FAQs

Which brand epilator is the best? ›

The Braun Silk-Epil is arguably the most famous epilator on the market and the first in the world with a fully flexible head, which makes for a smooth ride even over those tricky kneecaps and performed best compared to all the others when it came to my bikini line.

For a marathon, a few minutes of easy jogging and simple dynamic warm-up is all that's needed. Shorter races will require a warm-up of 1-3 miles that includes a slow jog and some short bouts of uptempo running to help prepare your body for harder, faster running.

Braun Silk-Epil 9561 Wet & Dry Epilator

This lightweight option, with a built-in light, means you can take the time to meticulously reach all areas of the body — without needing any weight training to prep. We found it did a great job on both wet and dry skin.

We recommend that you use most products on dry skin, as wet hair tends to stick more to the skin. Also, if you are aiming to do an on-the-go session, try using the product on dry skin instead. Be certain that your skin is clean and completely dry before using the appliance.

With any technology products, the more expensive it is the more features and advanced technology it has. Some of the more expensive ones have wider heads and better tweezers for a smoother finish. They also come with extra add-ons like a skin buffer or face epilator too.

Bread/toast, bagel, peanut butter, fruit without skin (banana), pulp-free fruit juice or sports drink for a pre-race breakfast. Rice, pasta, lean meat, starchy vegetables, fruits for “carbo-loading” at least three days before the race. For hydration, drink 500 to 700 ml of fluid about three hours before the race.

It's advisable to rest or engage in light activity for 2-3 days before a race to ensure your body is well-rested and ready. This helps to conserve energy and keep your muscles fresh for marathon day.

For many recreational runners, not running at all the day before the race is the best strategy to let the body rest. More experienced and elite runners may opt for a light run the day before the race. Some runners may have pre-race jitters.

Just like your regular warm-ups, a 15- to 20-minute run the day before a race helps improve blood flow to your legs. 2 This can help stave off fatigue during your run. Similarly, a 20-minute jog or relaxed run the day before your 10K race will help keep your muscles loose and ready to perform during your event.

What should I do 4 hours before a race? ›

If your race is later in the day, try to eat 3 to 4 hours before the event. A light high carbohydrate snack (frozen yogurt, cereal bar, or fruit) can be eaten 1 ½ hours before your race. Again, water is so important, drink 8 ounces of water thirty minutes before the start of your race.

Slow equals sexy.

Going too fast risks breaking the hair which may lead to ingrown hairs.

Some epilators have different speed settings. Start on a low setting and then gradually increase the speed to see what you can tolerate. Be patient. For the best results, you'll need to move the device slowly across your body, so take your time.

"Epilators can be a good option for someone who is not a candidate for laser hair removal or gets irritation with depilatory creams and shaving," explains Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York's MDCS Dermatology.

In general, epilators remove more hair than electric shavers do. Although they can take more time and effort to use than shavers, they can save you time and energy in the long run. Because an epilator removes hairs at the root, you won't have to use it again for several weeks.

With both methods, it's important to note that there might be irritation and pain — a lot more pain than with shaving. We like to think of epilation the same we think of tweezing, so it can leave the skin feeling tender to the touch. Other side effects include: redness.