How to Deal with Waxing Pain

Co-authored by Indy Chabra, MD, PhD and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: March 3, 2024 References

You love the look and feel of your smooth skin after waxing, right? It's just the pain that you could do without. Still, if you wax regularly, you've probably decided that it beats shaving every day. While we can't completely eliminate the sensation that comes from ripping hair out of your skin with hot wax, here are some tips that will make the experience as painless as possible.

1

Go to a pro instead of waxing yourself.

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If you try to wax yourself, you're more likely to make mistakes that could result in a more painful experience. Nervousness and hesitation also cause the whole process to be way more painful than it needs to be.^{[1]
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2
Choose an esthetician who uses hard wax. When you book your appointment, ask the esthetician what kind of wax they use. Hard wax is less painful and more efficient than soft wax, which needs to be removed with paper strips.^{[2]
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- Soft wax is the kind you'll usually get for at-home kits, which is another reason waxing will be less painful if you go to a pro.

2

Time your appointment when your pain threshold is highest.

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Your pain threshold is at its highest between 3 and 5 p.m. and at its lowest first thing in the morning. That means the same procedure will hurt less if you get it done in the afternoon.^{[3]
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Your pain threshold is lower during your period and often for a day or two before and after. This is especially true if you're getting waxed along the "bikini line." To keep your waxing as pain-free as possible, avoid that time of the month.^{[4]
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3

Let your hair grow out at least ¹⁄₈ in (0.32 cm).

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If your hair is too short (or too long) the wax won't grip it properly. Don't try to wax until your hair is at least ¹⁄₈ in (0.32 cm) to give the wax enough hair to grip onto and pull out cleanly. But don't wait too long! If your hair is more than ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm) long, it'll sting more and you won't get a smooth finish.^{[5]
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- Most pros recommend you get waxed every 4-6 weeks. Hair does grow at different rates, but once you've had a couple of appointments you'll have a good feel for how often you need to schedule them.

4

Exfoliate and moisturize your skin.

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Use a moisturizing body scrub at least once a week and 2 days before waxing. Body scrubs remove dead skin cells that have built upon the surface of your skin. This helps the wax grip the hair more cleanly for a less painful experience.^{[6]
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- If your skin is dry on the day of your appointment, massage in a moisturizer in the morning before your appointment in the afternoon. Let it air dry for a few minutes to give it a chance to really soak into your skin.
- Exfoliating and moisturizing also helps prevent ingrown hairs after waxing, which can be painful in and of themselves.^{[7]
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5

Drink plenty of water to stay well-hydrated.

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1
Hydrated skin is plumper so the hair is easier to remove. Staying well-hydrated is essential for healthy skin in general, but it's even more important on the day of your waxing appointment if you want to minimize pain. Drink lots of water the day of your appointment and steer clear of other beverages that have a dehydrating effect.^{[8]
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- Caffeine and other stimulants also make your skin more sensitive, which can increase the pain from waxing—so skip your coffee the day of your waxing appointment.^{[9]
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You might think a drink or two will help numb the pain, but alcohol actually has the opposite effect. Drinking dehydrates you, which makes your skin more sensitive.^{[10]
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6

Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever.

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It's the inflammation that causes most of the pain from waxing, but an OTC anti-inflammatory will combat that.^{[11]
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Indy Chabra, MD, PhD
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 10 March 2022.} Just be sure to take it early enough for it to start working before you get waxed.^{[12]
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Apply an anesthetic cream about 30 minutes before your appointment. Anesthetic creams are also available OTC at your local pharmacy. Rub the cream onto your skin like you would any lotion and allow your skin to absorb it.^{[13]
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- These creams don't work for everybody, so you might still feel some pain. But if you have a really hard time dealing with the pain from waxing, it's worth a shot.

7

Practice deep breathing techniques.

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Deep breaths before and during your waxing will relax you, which helps decrease pain. Pay attention to your breath, inhaling slowly, then pausing and exhaling at the same rate.^{[14]
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8

Do what you can to distract yourself.

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Listen to music or watch a video while getting waxed. Estheticians often have music or television available to help you take your mind off the waxing. If they don't, ask if you can put something on your smartphone to distract you.^{[15]
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- If you watch the esthetician waxing you, you'll likely anticipate the pain, which will make it hurt more.

9

Avoid heating up your skin after waxing.

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Wait 6 to 8 hours after waxing before working out. The sweat and heat from a workout can inflame your skin, which can lead to a rash or chafing right after a wax. Your skin will also be more sensitive, so you don't want to subject it to friction or heat.^{[16]
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- Steam or a hot shower or bath are also likely to inflame your skin post-wax, so wait a day or 2 on those.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Does waxing cause health problems?

Indy Chabra, MD, PhD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Indy Chabra is a Board Certified Dermatologist and a Board Certified Mohs Micrographic Surgeon. He is the Founding Member of DMC Dermatology & Mohs based in Tucson, Arizona. With over 15 years of experience, he provides medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology care for adult and pediatric patients. Dr. Chabra earned a BS in Chemistry and Biological Sciences and an AB in Economics from Stanford University. He also received his MD and PhD in Microbiology and Genetics from Stony Brook University. He completed his Dermatology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh. While at UPMC, Dr. Chabra received extensive training in complex Medical Dermatology, hair and nail conditions, Pediatric Dermatology, Cosmetic Dermatology, and Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery. Dr. Chabra is a Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a Fellow of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Chabra also provides in-patient Dermatology consults at Tucson Medical Center.

Indy Chabra, MD, PhD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Not necessarily. Although a broken down skin is more prone to getting infected by bacteria, herpes and, less commonly, yeast, these are very severe cases and most people shouldn't get that with waxing.

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Tell your esthetician if you have a hard time dealing with waxing pain—they'll do everything they can to make the process as comfortable as possible.

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