Even though you can’t achieve smooth skin without some degree of pain, it doesn’t mean that you are condemned to suffer excruciating pain through every waxing session. And if waxing on your legs hurt… don’t be in a hurry to get a Brazilian wax. Read this article first, try the few tips listed below and if they work, then schedule an appointment for the Brazilian wax.
First Things First: For the First-Timer
If you are going to try waxing an area for the first time, there are a few things you should do:
- Throw your razor away and commit to waxing as from now on. Razors will only cause more harm down the line and disrupt the growth pattern of your hair. Also, after a few sessions, hair tends to get a bit thinner, making it easier to remove, and thus less painful. If you keep shaving in between sessions, waxing will always be as painful as the first time!
- Before going to the salon, numb the area that you are going to wax by applying a numbing cream to that area.
- Some people also recommend using rose water toner after the session to help reduce the pain if it persists after the session.
Top 10 Things You Can Do to Make Waxing More Tolerable
1. Three Days Before Your Appointment: Exfoliate
If there are dry, dead skin clinging to your skin and hair, the wax will not be able to ‘grab’ the hair properly meaning that the waxing will be needlessly more painful than it would have been otherwise. So, 3 days before your appointment, grab a body scrub and gently exfoliate the area you are planning to get waxed. Wax the day before the session as well, but skip on exfoliating on the day of the appointment. You don’t want to make your skin too sensitive.
2. Avoid All Stimulant
Whether it’s caffeine, wine or beer, these stimulants can make your skin extra-sensitive and make the experience even more painful. It’s usually better to avoid coffee altogether on the day of. But if you are not a morning person and cannot survive without your morning cup of coffee, schedule your appointment in the afternoon. Giving yourself a couple of hours after drinking coffee before getting your legs waxed can help. Also remember to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated.
3. Invest in Numbing Cream
It’s always a good idea to numb the area that’s about to be waxed. But this is not a sprain – so do NOT use cold compress or ice. These will only make the pain worse as they’ll tighten your pores, making waxing way more difficult. Instead, invest in a good numbing cream and apply it to the target area about 30 minutes before your appointment.
4. Take Your Period into Consideration When Scheduling an Appointment
According to some experts, women’s pain threshold is generally higher immediately after their period ends. So, a good idea would be to go right after your time of the month.
5. Ensure Your Pores Are Open and Relaxed
And the best way to do that is to soak in a warm bath before going to your appointment. In addition to opening up your pores, it will also soften the hair. This will make it easier to remove the hair. You also want to avoid applying any astringent and toner right before the session. These will do the exact opposite of what a warm bath can do: tighten the pores.
The Brazilian Wax
Brazilian wax is simply a fancy way of calling the bikini wax, which as you can tell by the name, involves waxing your bikini line. Most people dread the Brazilian wax, but you are going to be relieved to know that you can try a few things before your session to reduce the pain:
- Buy a numbing cream from a pharmacy and apply it to the bikini area about half an hour before you’re about to wax.
- Purchase over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil or Aspirin and take them a bit before the waxing session starts to minimize the pain.
- If you are doing this at home, ensure that the wax is cool before application. You don’t want to peel off the skin! (especially in that area)
To Conclude: The Waxing Rule
Regardless of where you get your waxing done, whether it’s at a salon or at home, it’s important you avoid wearing tight clothing, avoid fragrances, avoid steam rooms and minimize sun exposure immediately after the treatment. To stay on the safe side, it’d be good if you waited at least a full 24 hours before going back to tight clothing and steam rooms. This is mostly because waxing opens up your pores and exposes you to more bacteria, some of which bacteria thrive in warm, humid environments.
