Getting rid of body hair can be a pain (both literally and figuratively). The inhibition is especially amplified for those who are new to the task, because they don’t know what to anticipate, or how much pain is involved. Have no fear, however, because this guide is going to walk you through the process of waxing, and by the end of it, it’ll seem entirely ordinary for you. Let’s get straight into it!
The Waxing Dilemma
The thing about waxing is that there are myriad ways to go about it. Experienced people usually do it at home, saving time and money that a trip to the salon would spend. Whatever the method may be, the degree of pain involved with waxing is a factor. Fortunately, the best waxing services in Chennai guarantee a relatively painless experience when it comes to waxing at their outlets.
At this point, you’re probably wondering: why wax at all? Why not opt for more painless methods, such as using an epilator, for instance? Well, for starters, epilators don’t get to the root of the problem. Waxing removes body hair right from the root, guaranteeing smooth skin underneath. As a result, its effects also last longer compared to other hair removal methods.
Before we get into the expert tips for waxing for beginners, let’s weigh your options when it comes to waxing. You can either:
- Go to a spa or salon, and let the experts handle it
- Get one of those DIY waxing kits that individual shops sell, and follow the instructions religiously
- Take the plunge and opt for “home waxing.”
What every newcomer to waxing must note is that the act of waxing itself doesn’t take that much time. You will have to get your skin primed for waxing, however, to minimize the hassle and pain involved with the process. On the other end, you also might want to have some relief measures ready after the waxing is done, especially if you have sensitive skin. All this might sound overwhelming to a beginner, but we assure you that waxing is an inherently simple task that becomes ordinary with time.
The Pain Factor
Now, let’s address the burning question on most of your minds: How much does waxing hurt? As most of the best waxing services in Chennai would tell you, the amount of pain from waxing depends on your pain threshold. For some, it will be a minor inconvenience, and sting like a paper cut. Others with lower pain thresholds will find that it burns significantly.
Though it’s difficult to specify an exact level of pain for waxing, the closest reference point would probably be ripping off a band-aid quickly over a healed wound. Once you pull the waxing strip off, there will be a sharp stinging pain that wears off after a few seconds. On the bright side, this pain becomes more bearable with every waxing session you sit for. You get accustomed to it, just like you sometimes do with injections at the hospital!
Now that you have a clearer picture of what to expect from your first waxing session, here are some expert tips for waxing for beginners, for further easing your concerns! Follow these tips for a smooth, waxing experience.
Wax Like A Pro
Let’s start with the preparation before the waxing, and work our way up from there.
1. Treat your skin thoroughly before waxing
This is especially true if you are currently having bouts of dry skin and inflammation here and there. Make sure to keep the skin beautiful and moisturized, exfoliating as you would under normal circumstances. If your skin still shows issues despite dedicated care, you might want to put off waxing that area in particular.
2. Make sure you have some supervision
Waxing can be painful for some, and since it’s your first time waxing, it’s probably best that someone with waxing experience is there to guide you through it. Whether it’s a trained professional from a salon or your sister, make sure you have company. Even if the kit says Do-It-Yourself Waxing, always have someone with you to help out and ease you through the process!
3. Assess your hair growth
Contrary to what you may think, waxing needn’t be done the very instant you see some hair growing on your legs or arms. The general rule of thumb is, if you see just over a quarter of an inch of hair growth, then it’s safe to wax. If your hair growth is too less, it’ll only tug on the skin. On the other hand, don’t let it grow out too much, either, as the wax will end up ineffective against dense hair.
4. Always apply wax in the direction of hair growth
If you try to pull against it, it could be a whole lot more painful. Gently apply the wax/strip in the general direction of hair growth, let it sit for a few moments, and then pull it in the opposite direction. For best results, you should pull the strip/wax off closer to the skin, to extract the finer hairs.
5. If pain is a major issue, do something about it
Though it’s not exactly ideal, a popular expert tip for waxing for beginners is to take a mild painkiller if they significantly fear the pain that comes with waxing. Over time, you will get accustomed to the slight pain, but for first-timers, you can overcome the jitters with mild painkillers.
6. Care for your skin even after you’re done
Avoid engaging in any activity that could end up irritating your skin further, after waxing. Overexposure to sweat, heat and excessive pressure can aggravate the waxed skin’s condition. Remember to regularly exfoliate your skin and keep it moisturized to speed up recovery. Your skin should be back to normal within two days of waxing.
7. Resist the urge to brush or scratch your newly-waxed skin
The redness that follows isn’t worth the temporary relief it may provide. If at all you feel the need to scratch, try exfoliating as you normally would to avoid irritating the skin further. If you did your waxing right, your skin should be smooth and bump-free afterwards. You must wax properly with clean technique, to avoid hassles such as ingrown hairs later on.
So as you can see, waxing is nothing to lose your head over. You can either do it yourself at home with supervision, or you can walk into any one of the salons offering the best waxing services in Chennai. Clean and smooth skin is just a session away, so go for it!