Of all the health and beauty appointments women make throughout the year, waxing is up there with the dentist. For some women it's a mere inconvenience - for others it can be a bi-monthly, trauma-filled 30 minutes. With this in mind, Bazaar has created a guide to making your waxing experience as painless as possible, whether you're treating your arms, legs or bikini line.
Exfoliate and moisturise
Get into the routine of exfoliating your whole body. This removes the layer of dry, dead skin, which will not only make waxing less painful, but it also helps to prevent ingrown hairs. Don't forget to moisturise daily too, otherwise you will encourage the build up of dry skin.
If you're prone to ingrown hairs or want to slow down the regrowth, look to Decleor's Aroma Epil Expert Post-Wax Double Action Cream, £12.75.
Keep it regular
It might not be the most glamorous appointment you attend, but it's a simple fact that the more often you have a wax the easier and less painful it is. Your hair grows in cycles, so block booking your wax for every four-to-six weeks will ensure you stay hair-free for longer.
Time it wisely
Hair needs to be between one-eighth and one-fourth of an inch long to ensure the wax can grip it and leave you with a smooth finish. Too short and it won't take hold, too long and it'll take longer (and hurt more).
Just before and after your period your skin, particularly around the bikini area, can be much more sensitive. It's worth booking your wax for the middle of your cycle to ensure your pain threshold is at its highest.
Hot vs strip
Hot wax stiffens on the skin and is peeled off, whereas strip wax is removed with a piece of cloth. The former has a reputation for being less painful as it clings to the hair rather than your skin. Strip wax is better for removing finer hair though, so to ensure a long-lasting, smooth finish it's worth asking for a combination of the two.
If all else fails…
If the discomfort is still too much to bear, a topical anaesthetic cream, available over the counter from pharmacists, is known to relieve some of the pain. These types of ointments are used when those with a fear of needles need to have blood tests. Apply to the area about half an hour beforehand to numb the skin, however this is not known to work for everyone.
Bazaar recommends:
Aveda Institute, body waxing from £22, Avedainstitute.co.uk
Strip Wax Bar, body waxing from £17, Stripwaxbar.com
RYS Hair & Beauty, body waxing from £15, Ryshairandbeauty.com or 020 7100 0724.
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