Unfortunately, waxing can also be painful, especially if it’s done wrong. You can solve this problem by going to a professional a salon. Or you can do your own, starting with a small area and working your way to more difficult jobs like the bikini line as your skills improve.

Waxing can be done nearly anyplace where hair grows, but the most common target areas are the brows, hairline, legs, thighs, and bikini area. Recently, the Brazilian wax and Hollywood wax, which leave little or no hair in the pubic area, have become more popular. Men who have excessive hair on their backs often go for back waxing.

Waxing pulls the hair out from the roots, below the surface of the skin, which is why it lasts about three weeks before needing to be done again. If you’ve never had a wax treatment before, it is recommended that you see a professional at a salon. You’ll have less pain when you have it done by a pro, so you’ll be more likely to do it again, and you’ll get great results.

Here’s what to expect from a salon wax treatment. If the hair is longer than one-quarter inch, it will be snipped to that length with scissors. This is to make sure the wax completely covers the skin and root area of the hair. If you’re planning on getting a treatment don’t shave for four or five days beforehand. The aesthetician will need at least a quarter inch of hair to work with.

There are two kinds of waxing: hot and cold. With hot waxing, the wax is warmed in a container placed in warm water until it’s thin but not so hot as to burn the skin. The aesthetician will use a wooden spatula to spread the warm wax on a small area at a time, always in the direction that the hair grows. Some waxes, called “hard waxes,” are designed to be used without cloth strips. With soft waxes, also called strip waxes, a cloth strip will be pressed over it while it’s still warm. As it cools, it grips the hair so it can be pulled out.

With one hand, the aesthetician will grasp the hard wax or the cloth strip at the end of the direction the hair grows in. With her other hand, she’ll stretch your skin in the opposite direction of the way she intends to pull the strip. With a quick, smooth motion, she’ll tear the wax away in the opposite direction of the hair growth, taking all of the hair with it.

Cold wax technique is basically the same. A strip of cloth is pre-treated with wax or a sugar-wax combination. Cold wax doesn’t have the same grip as hot wax and is best used for thin, fine hair growth, or in areas that burn or irritate easily like the upper lip.

Does waxing hurt? Much depends on how good your aesthetician is. Good technique can keep the pain to a minimum. If you’re worried about pain, take a couple of ibuprofen before you go in for treatment. Aspirin isn’t recommended because it’s a blood thinner.
Does it hurt? Ibuprofen OK; aspirin will thin your blood so don’t. Wax shouldn’t burn your skin.

Some women worry that the treatment will be embarrassing, especially if it involves the bikini line. Unless you’re getting a full Brazilian or Hollywood, you’ll be given a pair of disposable panties to wear for the duration of the treatment. The other thing is, don’t be too concerned about your aesthetician seeing you mostly undressed. They do this every day, and it’s their job to be professional and make their clients feel as comfortable as possible so they’ll keep coming back.

If you have concerns, start with a small inexpensive area like the eyebrows. Once you see how great the results look, you’ll probably want another wax treatment.