To many, the mere mention of waxing conjures pain (I am the 'many' here), or perhaps the old proverb beauty is pain.
In comparison to shaving, waxing is more effective, since it removes hair from the roots. However, waxing can be painful.
With the hair pulled from the deep root, the new hair growth is thin and less, making the second round of waxing a piece of cake with little discomfort.
Additionally, waxing improves the appearance of the skin. It removes dead and dry skin, leaving behind a smooth, soft surface. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles, as well as prevents premature ageing [1][2].
If you want to make waxing less painful, here are some tips to follow. These waxing tips decrease the pain, thus making the procedure tolerable to sit through. So, if you are planning on waxing for the first time, here are some tips to make waxing less painful.
If you are going to the waxing parlour for the first time, be sure to follow these tips.
Tips To Make Waxing Less Painful
1. Take a shower
Using warm water and steam will soften and supple your skin, making it easier to pull out hairs when waxing. The hot water will also open your pores and deeply cleanse your skin, reducing the possibility of rashes.
2. Exfoliate before a session
Exfoliating prior to waxing will help to remove dry skin and also loosen ingrown hairs, allowing them to be easily removed during the process. Exfoliating helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing the wax to better adhere to the hairs, making it easier to remove them.
It also helps to prevent ingrown hairs, which can be painful and cause inflammation [3].
3. Say no to caffeine
Even though it sounds like a great idea to have a couple of of glasses of wine or beer before getting waxed, stimulants in the system can cause your skin to become exceptionally sensitive to waxing. You should give yourself two hours after drinking coffee or alcohol before getting waxed. Instead, you should consume a large amount of water to hydrate your skin and body [4].
4. Powder up
When waxing, apply a thin layer of talcum powder to the skin before waxing. Talcum powder soothes the skin and makes the process much easier and faster, particularly when performed at home.
5. Medications help too
Take a small dose of pain medication if you are not comfortable with pain. This will make waxing more comfortable, especially if you are doing it at home. Pain medications can help to reduce the pain associated with waxing by numbing the area.
This can make it easier to tolerate the discomfort of waxing and make it a more manageable experience.
6. Plan after your period
The most important tip for making waxing less painful is to schedule a session a week before or after your period. This is especially important for Brazilian waxing, since the area is sensitive to touch a week before the period.
This is because, during the week before your period, oestrogen levels in the body are at their highest, which makes skin particularly sensitive. Scheduling a waxing session a week before or after the period helps to minimize discomfort [5].
7. Stay relaxed
When waxing, it is important to remain calm and composed throughout the procedure. When you are tense, your muscles contract, resulting in the skin being pulled tighter. This makes it harder for the wax to adhere to the skin, resulting in more pain when it is pulled off.
Being relaxed during the waxing process helps to keep the skin loose and reduces the amount of pain experienced.
8. Consult a professional
As far as licensed estheticians and cosmetologists are concerned, this does not imply that they are also experienced. In addition to applying the appropriate wax to the hair, they will hold the skin taut and pull in the right direction. This is crucial for any waxing, but especially for Brazilian bikini waxes.
On A Final Note...
When you have a wax session, whether it is at home or at the spa, you should avoid tight clothing, minimise your exposure to sunlight, and avoid steam rooms for at least 24 hours.
It is important to avoid fragrances containing bacteria as well after waxing because your pores are open and exposed to bacteria that are induced in heated environments.
