Waxing doesn’t have to be like Steve Carell in the 40-Year Old Virgin. Try a few of these secrets from the pros to ease the pain.
1* Let Your Hair Grow: Hair needs to be 1/4 inch long…..about the length of your lower eyelashes. Any shorter and the wax will just yank the hair and not pull it out.
2*Exfoliate-Exfoliate-Exfoliate!!!!!: Regular exfoliation helps prevent ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs will break when waxed and will need to be tweezed or re-waxed to remove them. A somewhat gritty body scrub will help rid dead cells around skin pores and hair follicle, providing an easier exit. Ingrown hairs can also cause unsightly red bumps and discomfort.
3*Keep a Clear Head: Avoid making a wax appointment when you’re hungover, sleep deprived, or over stressed. All these things increase sensitivity and make for a more painful wax.
4*Numbing Creams: Prior to waxing apply something to numb the skin. Take an aspirin or ibuprofen about 30 – 45 minutes before your wax. This is especially helpful when getting waxed above the lip, chest, bikini and genital areas- which top the list as the most pain-provoking areas. Don’t use ice for numbing. You might think that ice would be great to numb skin and reduce waxing pain,but applying anything cold to the skin tightens pores.
5*Leave it to a Pro: This doesn’t mean just anybody licensed (like an esthetician or cosmetologist), but someone also experienced. They will use the wax best suited for the hair, apply the right thickness of wax, hold the skin taut, and pull in the right direction. Don’t think waxing at home will be easy. It’s hard to do on yourself, and will really hurt if you don’t know what you’re doing.
6* Don’t drink a lot of caffeine or alcohol. While having a glass of wine or beer before getting waxed sounds like a great idea, stimulants in the system can cause skin to be extra sensitive to waxing. Give yourself a couple hours after drinking coffee or alcohol before getting waxed. Instead, drink a lot of water to hydrate your body and skin.
7* Don’t wax where you shouldn’t. The inside of ears and nose, eyelashes, and nipples shouldn’t be waxed. Don’t try waxing over sun-burned or irritated skin, warts, moles, cuts or pimples. Not only is it dangerous, but it could give you some mighty big pain.
8* Don’t tense up. Some people hold their breath or tense their whole body while getting waxed. While it might be easier said than done, breathe deeply, a relaxed person will cope much better with the pain. Clenched muscles and shallow breathing make pain worse. Try inhaling right before the pull and exhale during.
Skin Care by Donna: An Organic Skin Spa 