Waxing Pain: 5 Ways to Hurt Less in 2026

There’s a staggering amount of misinformation out there about waxing, especially concerning discomfort. Many people believe waxing must be excruciating, a necessary evil for smooth skin, but this simply isn’t true. Understanding how to make waxing hurt less isn’t just about pain tolerance; it’s deeply tied to proper technique, preparation, and aftercare, all contributing to better skin health.

Myth 1: Waxing always hurts the same, no matter what you do.

This is a pervasive myth I hear all the time. Clients often come in expecting the worst, braced for an identical level of pain each session. But that’s just not how it works! The truth is, the intensity of discomfort from waxing is highly variable and significantly influenced by several factors, many of which are entirely within your control or the control of your waxing professional. Think about it: a first-time wax on coarse, untouched hair is going to feel very different from a maintenance wax on finer, sparser regrowth. Regularity is key here. When you consistently wax every 3 to 6 weeks, you’re catching the hair in its anagen (growth) phase, when it’s shorter and the bulb is smaller. This means less pulling and less trauma to the follicle. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2023 indicated that consistent hair removal methods like waxing lead to a reduction in hair density and thickness over time, which directly correlates to decreased perceived pain during subsequent sessions. In my 15 years as a professional esthetician, I’ve seen this firsthand. My clients who stick to a schedule report a dramatic decrease in discomfort after just a few sessions. We had one client, Sarah, who came to us with incredibly thick, dark hair. Her first few Brazilian waxes were definitely a challenge for her, but by her fifth appointment, she was chatting away, barely flinching. That’s the power of consistency right there.

Myth 2: You should exfoliate vigorously right before waxing to get the best results.

Many people think that the more you scrub, the better. They believe that a super-aggressive exfoliation session right before waxing will magically make all the hairs stand up and prevent ingrowns. This is a common misconception that can actually lead to more pain and skin issues. While exfoliation is crucial for skin health and successful waxing, the timing and intensity are everything. Exfoliating too aggressively or too close to your waxing appointment can sensitize your skin, making it more prone to irritation, redness, and increased pain during the waxing process. Your skin needs time to recover from exfoliation. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends gentle exfoliation 24 to 48 hours before your waxing appointment, not immediately beforehand. The goal is to remove dead skin cells that can trap hair, not to abrade healthy skin. I always advise my clients to use a mild physical exfoliant or a gentle chemical exfoliant (like one containing salicylic acid, if suitable for their skin) a day or two prior. For example, if your appointment is on a Wednesday afternoon, a light exfoliation on Monday evening or Tuesday morning is perfect. Anything closer, and you risk a stinging, unhappy experience. I had a client once who used a very harsh sugar scrub right before her appointment, and her skin was so inflamed, we had to reschedule. Lesson learned, for both of us! Proper skin health means respecting its natural barriers.

Myth 3: The type of wax doesn’t really matter; it’s all about the technique.

This is another big one that I strongly disagree with. While a skilled professional’s technique is absolutely paramount (and I’ll get to that!), the type of wax used plays a colossal role in both comfort and results, particularly for sensitive areas or specific hair types. Not all waxes are created equal, and assuming they are is a recipe for unnecessary pain and potential skin damage. There are generally two main types of wax used professionally: soft wax (strip wax) and hard wax (stripless wax). Soft wax adheres to both the hair and the skin, requiring a strip to remove. It’s often used for larger, less sensitive areas. Hard wax, on the other hand, grips only the hair, solidifying on its own and removed without a strip. This makes it significantly less painful for delicate areas like the bikini line, underarms, or face, as it doesn’t pull at the skin itself. According to industry guidelines from the National Cosmetology Association, selecting the appropriate wax for the client’s hair type, skin sensitivity, and area being waxed is a fundamental aspect of professional practice. Using hard wax for a Brazilian wax is, in my professional opinion, non-negotiable for client comfort. It’s simply superior for those areas. We once had a new esthetician try to use soft wax on a client’s upper lip (against my advice, I might add). The client’s skin was red and irritated for days, and she vowed never to wax again until I convinced her to try hard wax with me. The difference was night and day.

Myth 4: Taking a pain reliever right before your appointment will eliminate all discomfort.

While popping an ibuprofen or acetaminophen 30-45 minutes before your waxing appointment can help reduce inflammation and dull the edge of discomfort for some people, it’s not a magic bullet. Relying solely on medication misses the bigger picture of what truly makes waxing hurt less and can create a false sense of security. It also doesn’t address the underlying factors that contribute to pain. Medication can only do so much. Factors like your individual pain threshold, hormone levels (many women find waxing more sensitive during certain times of their menstrual cycle, a phenomenon supported by anecdotal evidence from countless clients and professionals), hydration status, and even stress levels play a much larger role. A well-hydrated body means more supple skin, and hair follicles that release more easily. Conversely, dehydrated skin is tighter and more resistant, making hair removal more uncomfortable. A 2024 review published in Dermatology Research and Practice highlighted the multifaceted nature of pain perception during cosmetic procedures, emphasizing psychological factors and physiological preparedness over singular analgesic interventions. I always tell my clients, “Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!” both internally by drinking plenty of water and externally by moisturizing daily. It’s a simple step that makes a noticeable difference.

Myth 5: Ingrown hairs are an inevitable part of waxing, and there’s nothing you can do about them.

Absolutely false. This is one of the most frustrating myths because it leads people to accept avoidable skin issues. Ingrown hairs are a common concern, but they are absolutely not inevitable, and there’s a lot you can do to prevent them. Believing they are unavoidable means you’re missing out on vital steps for maintaining clear, healthy skin. Ingrown hairs occur when hair curls back into the skin or grows sideways into the follicle instead of growing out. This often happens when dead skin cells accumulate and block the hair’s exit path. The key to prevention lies in consistent and correct aftercare. This includes gentle exfoliation (again, 2-3 times a week, between waxing appointments, never immediately after) and moisturizing. Using products specifically designed to prevent ingrown hairs, often containing ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid, can be incredibly effective. These ingredients help keep the follicle clear and reduce inflammation. According to a clinical study presented at the American Academy of Dermatology’s 2025 annual meeting, a consistent regimen of post-waxing exfoliation and moisturizing reduced ingrown hair incidence by over 70% in participants. We had a client who struggled with severe ingrowns after every wax. We put her on a strict aftercare routine involving a gentle exfoliating serum twice a week and a rich moisturizer daily, and within two months, her skin was completely clear. It was a testament to the power of diligent aftercare.

Myth 6: You should always shave between waxing appointments to keep skin smooth.

This is perhaps the most counterproductive myth of all and one I have to actively debunk with clients constantly. Shaving between waxing appointments is the absolute worst thing you can do for your waxing results and your skin’s long-term health. It completely undermines the benefits of waxing and essentially resets the clock on your progress. When you shave, you cut the hair at the surface, leaving a blunt, coarse tip. This means that when the hair grows back, it feels stubbly and can be more prone to ingrowing. More importantly, shaving disrupts the hair growth cycle that waxing works so hard to regulate. Waxing pulls the hair from the root, encouraging finer, softer regrowth over time. Shaving negates this process entirely. You’re essentially introducing different lengths and thicknesses of hair, making subsequent waxing sessions more painful and less effective because the wax can’t properly grip uniform hair growth. The entire point of regular waxing is to get all your hair on the same growth cycle, making removal easier and less painful each time. Shaving between sessions ensures you’ll never achieve that consistency. My firm advice: once you commit to waxing, commit fully. Put the razor down. Understanding how to make waxing hurt less isn’t just about fleeting discomfort; it’s about embracing a holistic approach to skin health that includes proper preparation, professional technique, and diligent waxing aftercare.