Make the Pain Go Away

First, let’s face the facts, getting a bikini wax hurts. However, they don’t have to hurt so badly. There are several ways you can minimize the pain. If you’re new to waxing, make sure to start out with a professional and we’re going to tell you exactly how to keep the pain at bay.

1. Make Sure Your Hair is the Right Length

If your hair is too short the wax will not be able to properly pull the hair from the follicle. You can always ask your esthetician to trim the hair first. If for some reason you don’t trim first it can make the process more painful. You’ll want to make sure the hair is about ¼ inch long before waxing.

2. Stop Shaving

If it’s your first time going to get a bikini wax, you should stop shaving at least three weeks prior to your wax appointment. If you’re a veteran, you should already know better! Shaving can cause awful pain and itching and it will cause hair to grow back denser. Once you’ve started getting waxed you should go every four weeks, which will make the hair grow back thinner and will make future waxes less painful.

3. Exfoliate Before Your Appointment

Exfoliating the week of your appointment will get rid of the layer of dead skin that’s probably trapping hairs. Removing dead and dry skin allows hair to come to the surface so it can be properly pulled from the root on the first try.

4. Soak in a Warm Bath Before Your Appointment

If you have some free time before your appointment you should soak in a warm bath for about 20 minutes. This will open up your pores and soften your hair, which will make waxing easier.

5. Take an Over-The-Counter Pain Reliever

You should take an over-the-counter painkiller with a glass of water about an hour before your appointment. This way the medicine will already be in full effect by the time you get waxed. In addition to minimizing pain, it also has anti-inflammatory components.

6. Go Right After “That Time of the Month”

Your pain threshold is at its lowest right before your period and you’re especially sensitive about five days before, through the end. Three to four days after your cycle is when your threshold is at its highest, so it’s best to book your appointments during these days.

7. Try a Numbing Cream

A big no no right before getting waxed is trying to use ice to numb the area. This will only tighten and close up your pores, which will make waxing much more difficult. Instead, use a numbing cream about 30 minutes before your appointment to dull the pain.

8. Breathe

You have to breathe! Which might be the hardest thing to do because your natural reaction will be to hold your breath and tense up when your body knows there’s about to be pain. Try to make a conscious effort to take deep breaths, exhaling when the wax strip is being pulled.

9. Avoid the Gym Immediately After

If you hit the gym daily, try to work out before your wax appointment and avoid working out for at least eight hours after your wax. Your skin will be the most sensitive at this time, which will make you prone to irritation and rashes.

10. Avoid Tight Clothing

Wearing tight clothes can actually cause ingrown hair, so give the area a chance to breathe after your wax. Wear cotton underwear and loose pants, skirts, or dresses for a little while after to avoid irritation and ingrown hairs.

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