Societal norms and individual preferences often dictate different grooming practices for men and women. While beauty standards are subjective, managing unwanted body hair remains a common concern. Women frequently seek hair removal on their legs, while men often address denser, more unruly hair on their upper bodies, coupled with potential thinning hair on the scalp.
The Panasonic ER-GK80 is a new body trimmer designed by Panasonic to provide both maneuverability and safety for effective hair removal on the body, including sensitive areas.
This trimmer is specifically designed for body hair and is not intended for facial hair or scalp hair (for which the Panasonic ER-SB40 is more suitable). The ER-GK80 boasts an ergonomic design, weighing approximately 150 grams, making it easy to handle and maneuver for self-grooming. A key feature is its innovative Japanese blade technology, enabling bidirectional trimming. This is particularly useful for areas like the back, although assistance is still recommended due to reach limitations. The bidirectional capability enhances efficiency, allowing for trimming in both directions. Using a mirror is advisable to ensure thorough and even trimming in areas that are difficult to see.
Many users also require a trimmer for the groin area. For this purpose, the ER-GK80 includes a “Safeguard” attachment, providing a 2mm safety distance to minimize the risk of irritation. While this attachment does not provide a completely smooth shave (requiring a razor and careful technique), it significantly improves grooming in sensitive areas. While not as smooth as trimming the upper body, the Safeguard allows for effective trimming if care and attention are exercised. In addition to the Skinguard, the device includes an adjustable attachment similar to the SB40, enabling manual length settings from 3 to 12 mm in 0.5 mm increments for varied hair lengths.
Turning to the upper body, where many users will concentrate their efforts: a common issue with previous trimmers, such as one from Philips, was skin irritation and pinching. While not critical, it caused discomfort and minor skin abrasions. The ER-GK80 eliminates this issue. Its powerful motor enables quick and precise trimming (down to 0.1 mm without an attachment) with minimal pressure. Performance remains consistent even on areas where the skin is not uniformly taut, such as around the rib cage. This is a notable improvement.
Cleaning and maintaining the ER-GK80 is straightforward: lubricate the blades with oil before and after each use and rinse hair residue under running water with the head either open or closed. The trimmer is also suitable for use in the shower, although performance is optimized on dry hair, as wet hair tends to adhere to the skin, increasing the effort required for effective trimming.
The primary drawback of the Panasonic ER-GK80 lies in its power supply. Panasonic includes a transformer-equipped power cable reminiscent of older technology: it is bulky and does not fit within the carrying case designed for the trimmer and its attachments. Given the prevalence of USB charging standards, the inclusion of such an outdated and inconvenient solution is surprising. This necessitates carrying an additional item, which is easily avoided. Ideally, USB-C, the contemporary charging standard, would be implemented. At a minimum, a standard microUSB connection would be preferable. Charging the ER-GK80 requires approximately one hour, providing just under 50 minutes of usage. This is sufficient for a single full-body trimming session, but offers limited margin.
Overall, the Panasonic ER-GK80 is a highly recommendable grooming tool. Its smooth operation, ease of use, and excellent results are noteworthy, eliminating the pain and minor injuries associated with some alternative products. While the charging solution requires improvement, its benefits for safe and effective body hair trimming outweigh this disadvantage. The Panasonic ER-GK80 is a recommended choice for individuals seeking an efficient and comfortable grooming experience.
