Beauty is Pain....Sometimes

The question I get asked the most on the subject of waxing is, "Does it hurt?"
My answer is always, "Yes. Sometimes. For some people."
In truth, everyone is different. We all have different pain thresholds. We all have different skin. We all have different levels of dedication to our beauty regimes.

The first time I had my underarms waxed, I thought perhaps they had caught fire. They hadn't. They were just fine and ten years later, honestly, I barely feel it when I wax them. And even after that first initial ouch session, the effects of waxing were so amazing I swore I would never shave again. It was magic!

The very best advice I can give is to RELAX.
Breathe.
When you hold your breath, you tighten up all of your muscles and increase the sensitivity in your nerve endings making the waxing experience more painful. I promise if you can teach yourself to calm down it will be 25-50% better.
Often times we need to play tricks on ourselves. Lie to yourself, if you will. For some, getting the first leg waxed is less painful than the second leg. This is because the brain has signalled to the body that waxing hurts and the body tenses up. Practice telling yourself that it isn't bad at all. I know this sounds silly, but trust me, it helps!

It is also important to know how your skin responds to waxing. I cannot emphasize enough the value of a reputable spa or salon-one that provides a consultation. During your consultation, ask your technician what type of wax will be used. (For a lot of technicians, its all about personal preference. I myself, am super fond of creme wax and don't like to use anything else.) Ask for a patch test, this will insure that you respond well to the type of wax being used. Taking this one step will also help calm you down when you have your full treatment done because you will know better what to expect.

Please know that waxing is not for everyone. Sure, I can get almost anything on my body waxed but don't touch my legs! I cannot stand to have them waxed because for me, this is a more sensitive area. And that is ok.
In waxing as in all things: "Know thyself."
I know that I will never again have my legs waxed, but bring on the Brazilian! (More on that subject to come!)

XO-Nanette

Published with permission of Nanette Semon