I think only masochists look forward to a bikini wax, and small wonder: It hurts! The thing is, it doesn't have to hurt quite so badly. I've compiled a list of ten ways you can reduce the pain of waxing. If you're new to waxing, I highly recommend going to a professional to see how it's done. After a few times, you might want to try doing it at home to save a few bucks; I really love completely bare's wax kit because it's practically pain-free. (Let me know if you'd like a how-to on at-home waxing; I'd be happy to do one!) For now, to learn how to keep pain at bay, read more


  1. Plan to wax after your period. Your pain threshold is higher in the week after your period than beforehand. Think of it like this: If sappy commercials make you cry when you're premenstrual, having wax applied to your dainty bits certainly will.
  2. Lose your self-consciousness. Yes, a stranger is going to see you wearing, at most, a paper thong. Don't worry about offending her or feeling embarrassed. It's nothing she hasn't seen before. The less anxious you are, the less you'll worry about pain.
  3. Start off slowly. Your first bikini wax is not the time to try a Brazilian. If you're new to waxing, go with a basic bikini wax. You can always decide to remove more the next time around.
  4. Exfoliate. The day before you decide to wax, exfoliate in the shower. This will remove dead skin, allowing the wax to grip shorter hairs.
  5. Speak up. A good esthetician will work with you to make sure you're as comfortable as you can be. I always ask my esthetician to tell me when she's about to pull the wax off. So don't be shy to say something if you have a low pain tolerance—it's better to speak up than to suffer in silence.
  6. Use hard wax. Hard wax is more gentle than soft wax, so I recommend going to a spa that uses it.
  7. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. About an hour before your appointment, take an Advil, Tylenol or other pain reliever.
  8. Breathe. It can be tempting to hold your breath, but breathing in and out helps reduce the pain. Take a deep breath in when the wax goes on, then breathe out when your esthetician gives it a yank.
  9. Know which parts are most sensitive. You wouldn't expect it, but having hair pulled from the lower abdomen area is more painful than it is around the vaginal opening.
  10. Turn your head and cough. An esthetician at Bliss taught me this trick: When the wax is about to be ripped off, cough. It distracts from the pain, and trust me, it works!

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