Family

Family.com Self 5 Tips for an Ouchless Wax

Spring To-Do's

It's Tax Time!

5 Tips for an Ouchless Wax

And recommendations for DIY hair removal products

By Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick

From our provider:

Forget about going under the knife, going under the wax is scary enough. Just the thought of waxing has convinced some women to merely make do with shaving.

If you're feeling a little wary about a return trip (or first trip!) to the aesthetician, here are five tips for an ouchless wax from Edna Ma, MD, a board certified anesthesiologist:

Go for OTC pain relief. "If you're not allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol or ibuprofen), take it about one to two hours prior to treatment. These medications take long to take effect, but they decrease inflammation and pain for hours.
Know your schedule. "Plan your bikini hair removal for after your period when you're not as susceptible to anxiety and pain stimulus."
Do some prep work. "Trim the hair prior to waxing. For the procedure, keep the hair one-quarter to one-half inch. If hair is too long, it will be more painful. If the hair is too short, the wax will not stick."
Channel your inner yogi. "Relax and breathe. Take a deep breath when the wax is applied, and exhale when the strip is tugged off."
Take baby steps. "If it's your first time, don't go for the Brazilian. Trim the edges first then gradually wax off more. You'll have less anxiety and be more likely to do it again."

Ma personally encountered enough painful and unpleasant waxing situations that she was inspired to create the garment-based BareEase & Cream prep kit for ouchless hair removal. "The kit consists of a latex panty and a Lidocaine-based cream with aloe and jojoba which soothe and moisturize skin," explains Ma. "Apply the cream 30-45 minutes prior to the procedure and put on the latex panty – both can be worn under clothing. The numbing properties will last 15-20 minutes once the cream is removed."

For the women who want to do a little maintenance at home in between waxes, Cindy Barshop, hair removal guru and owner of Completely Bare Spas, offers a few options. "The completely smooth for body and face products are hair inhibitors that are clinically proven to reduce hair growth by 55 percent," she says, while "completely smooth will double the time between your waxes. It also reduces density by up to 50 percent and length by as much as 30 percent."

If you're a fan of do-it-yourself waxing, consider Ouchless Stripless Wax, which sticks to hair and not skin, or completely gone, a hair vanishing lotion with a built-in dispenser and scraper so you never have to touch the cream.

Finally, if you've had traumatic waxing experiences in the past – or if you've never set foot in a salon because the anticipation of pain is just too great – consider this advice from Ma: "Change one or two aspects of that experience for the next time you go. Besides adding a numbing product, change the salon or technician, or try changing the type of wax (hard verses soft). Everyone is different, so find the combination that works for you!"

See more on SheKnows.com: