yeah, never epilate. Pain levels was mental.
Just MTFU and shave. I do full legs, chest, back, arms down to the elbows and pubic area ( leaving a small area but trim it all with scissors). Once you grasp the idea and do it, then realise that 1000’s of professional male athletes do it ( swimmers, runners, cyclists , gymnasts , footballers etc)you begin to be o.k. with it and keep it going. You end up doing legs tues, friday, chest and arms on wed, sat to keep time in the bath/shower to a minimum.
Its pretty easy, your GF becomes accustomed to it pretty quickly ( altho you’ll find she uses your razor).
If its your first time tho, start with veet for men. Gets 80% of it off pretty quickly and pain free
You also start getting brilliant tans and tan lines, and your legs look amazing during race season and with lycra on