How to Reduce the Pain of Waxing?

May 29, 2020

No one can deny the many benefits of waxing. Through a steady waxing regime, it's possible to keep a smooth skin for weeks at a time with an effectiveness that no other method can imitate. In spite of this, there are still people who resist the appeal of waxing due to the pain that's inflicted on the skin in the process. Even the most exclusive hard body waxes (specially developed to soothe sensitive skins) can't completely remove the pain factor from a wax treatment, but there are still tips and tricks that will make the wax session much more enjoyable for clients.

For all the horror stories surrounding wax treatments, the truth is that the initial pain is minimized with each new session. For seasoned clients, it's nothing but a mild discomfort. This happens because waxing weakens the follicles, making it easier to remove all the hairs. As long as the hairs are at least 1/4 of an inch long, a wax session can go without a hitch and the waxing experience won't be ruined in the process. Just don't forget the following recommendations and the pain will never be unbearable.

For estheticians:

1. Start with Small Portions of Skin: If you're working on a person's first wax, start by spreading the wax in a small area (around 6 cm of diameter). This way, the client can easily gauge the amount of pain they can expect from the procedure.


2. Be Mindful of the Wax Temperature: Whether you're working with hot or cold waxes, you must constantly check that the temperature is right before spreading it on the client's skin. This will not only prevent burns (when the wax requires to be heated), but ensure that all the hairs are removed after the first application. Since your wrist and arms adapt to certain temperatures differently in relation to other parts of the body, you must be extra careful before waxing intimate areas, even after testing the wax on your own skin.


3. Remove the Wax with a Swift Pull: This is something that all professional estheticians know by heart. Use one hand to rip the wax (or the strip) in the opposite direction of hair growth while tensing the skin with your other hand. If you hesitate when you start pulling, or your hands fail to keep the skin in place, you will increase the client's pain, along with the chances of an uneven waxing. Some waxes can't be applied more than once without causing skin damage, so the right technique is all you can count on to ensure the expected results with a single application.


4. Create a Pleasant Environment: First impressions always play a big part in the overall perception of things. Your working space will be the first thing your client sees, so make sure it's tidy, clean, and pleasant to the senses. Make sure the client is comfortably settled, offer to play some soothing music if they are particularly jittery, and always address them in a calm but firm manner. Clients don't want to fee patronized for their nerves but they appreciate knowing that their skin is in good hands.


5. Stay Away from Dangerous Areas: You must look for signs of sunburn, rashes or other skin conditions before you start waxing. Areas like eyelashes, nipples, and the inside of the ears and nose are off-limits.

For Clients:

1. Assess Your Pain Tolerance: The pain that comes with waxing doesn't last long and gets easier to withstand as you continue getting wax treatments. Still, it's important for first-timers to mentally prepare themselves in advance or their nerves can betray them in the middle of a session. After consulting with your esthetician and barring any allergy, you could take an aspirin, Advil or ibuprofen 30 to 45 minutes before the session. There are also numbing creams that people with low pain tolerance could benefit from, but they also need to be approved by the esthetician beforehand.


2. Exfoliate the Skin: Prior exfoliation will help the wax act on the follicles without dead skin cells getting in the way. Gentle scrubbing sessions during the shower will suffice. On top of cleansing the pores, make sure to keep them away from cold compresses until after the wax, or it will take more effort to rip out the hairs. A clean skin also means the removal of gels, toners, or other cosmetic products. They also work as obstacles between the wax and the hairs and, in some cases, their ingredients clash with the properties of the wax.


3. Don't Tense Up: In relation to point number 1, you must keep your body relaxed if you want the pain to disappear faster. Try to regulate your breathing and loosen up your limbs when you sense that your body is tensing up. If your position allows it, you can do some reading or grab your cell phone to distract yourself during the session.


4. Leave Waxing to Professionals: If minimizing the pain is your top priority, getting waxed with a certified esthetician is a must. At-home waxing can save you a few dollars but it will do nothing to change your nerves and lack of experience, making more room for mistakes and injuries. A seasoned esthetician will master the right technique to shorten the process without sacrificing quality. Professional estheticians are also the only ones with access to high quality wax products that will work better with your type of skin.


5. Watch your Coffee and Alcohol Intake: Both of these drinks work as stimulants, enhancing skin sensitivity as a result. They can also get your skin drier, and this does your follicles no favors when you're preparing for a wax. If you're a regular alcohol/coffee drinker, make sure to switch to water a few days in advance to hydrate the skin properly.


6. Check your Menstrual Cycle: If you're menstruating before or during your wax session, your skin will be all the more sensitive to pain. Many areas of the skin are slightly swollen because of the additional hormonal activity and, according to studies, you get a heightened perception of pain. Pain tolerance starts to increase a few days after your period is over, so, if possible, book your treatment during this particular time of the month.

If you're interested in waxing as a solution to unwanted hairs, don't rule it out before doing proper research and getting advice from estheticians and cosmetologists. The formulas developed by Beauty Image USA guarantee long-lasting results while minimizing discomfort in all parts of the body. To get an answer to all your questions, call TOLL FREE 888-513-8815 or fill out our website's contact form. Also, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news and tips straight to your inbox.
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