Does Waxing Hurt? Honest Pain Ratings By Body Part
TL;DR: Does Waxing Hurt?
Waxing does hurt, but the sting is quick and varies by body part, hair thickness, and your individual sensitivity.
The most painful areas are the bikini line and Brazilian region because they have dense nerve endings and coarser hair.
Prepping your skin—avoiding active skincare, caffeine, and alcohol—can make waxing noticeably easier.
Consistent waxing weakens follicles, making each session less painful than the last.
Does waxing hurt? Not much, actually. It’s only vaguely soul-crushing.
No joke, waxing pulls hair from the root so it's going to be spicy. BUT the level of intensity depends on the body area, hair thickness, your personal tolerance, and how prepared your skin is beforehand.
And if that hasn’t already convinced you to get waxed, here’s a bonus: at Ted D Bare, we went viral on TikTok for our 7-Minute Brazilian Wax. That means less time thrashing (just kidding) and more time admiring your smooth results.
What Does Waxing Feel Like?
People describe waxing pain in all sorts of ways: a quick sting, a sharp pull, an intense prick, a fast zap, and if it’s your first time, maybe something in the neighborhood of facing the firing squad.
The closest comparison is ripping off a very strong adhesive. Wax grips the hair at the root, and when it’s pulled away, both the hair and the adhesive release at the same time. That split-second snapping sensation is the part everyone remembers.
There’s also a biological reason for that sweary moment. Hair follicles sit close to nerve endings, so when the hair is removed directly from the root, the nerves respond similarly to how they react to sudden pressure or a mild physical injury. The signal hits fast, peaks for a second, and then fades almost immediately.
The good news? That sharp sting is short-lived. Most people feel a quick jolt followed by mild warmth or tenderness that settles within minutes. And because waxing pulls hair from the root, each session gets easier: hair grows back finer, follicles weaken, and your skin adapts to the process.
Technique plays a massive role too. Fast, confident removal minimizes how long the nerves react. And when you’ve got a studio that can execute a clean pull without hesitation and crack a bad joke at the same time, your brain barely has time to register what happened.
Does Waxing Have Painful Side Effects?
Short-term side effects are normal and expected because skin undergoes friction and follicle stimulation. Redness, temporary inflammation, mild swelling, or increased sensitivity for a few hours are all common reactions. Some people experience pinpoint bleeding in areas with coarse hair (like the Brazilian region), which is normal and stops almost immediately.
Folliculitis, the tiny, pimple-like bumps around hair follicles, can also show up after waxing, especially if the area is sweaty, rubbed by tight clothing, or touched with unwashed hands. It’s usually mild, temporary, and treatable at home with gentle cleansing and breathable clothing. Proper aftercare significantly reduces the likelihood of it happening in the first place.
Waxing Pain Level By Body Area
Clients often want a clear, honest breakdown of waxing pain level by body area, and while it varies from person to person, here is a rough scale:
Brows: Mild — quick, with a sharper sting because the skin is thin.
Upper lip: Mild-to-moderate — nerve-dense and noticeable for first-timers.
Chin/Jawline: Mild — varies based on hair density.
Underarms: Moderate — thin skin + coarse hair = more sensation.
Arms: Mild — fine hair and easy follicle release.
Legs: Shins are surprisingly awful because you don't have any fat or cushion to absorb the pain. It's up there with a Brazilian wax.
Stomach/Chest: Moderate — especially for men or anyone with thicker, coarser hair.
Back: Mild-to-moderate — depends heavily on hair density; men with coarse growth may feel more sensation.
Bikini line: Moderate-to-high — dense nerve endings and thicker hair make this area more reactive.
Brazilian: High for most first-timers — but drops quickly with consistency as follicles weaken.
People commonly want to know how much a Brazilian wax hurts or how painful a bikini wax is, and these tend to be on the higher end of the pain scale simply because the pubic region is packed with sensory nerves and the hair grows in thicker and coarser. It takes a bit more force to remove, which is why the first session can feel a little spicy. But sensitivity decreases dramatically with consistent waxing, as follicles weaken and the hair grows back finer.
The same principle applies to the face: lips and brows often feel sharper because the skin is thin and nerve-dense. For some people, those areas rank higher than legs or arms, even though the actual surface area is tiny.
What To Avoid Before A Wax
Pre-wax preparation can dramatically reduce discomfort.
Hit pause on anything that speeds up cell turnover, including retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, strong exfoliants, and acne treatments, for at least 48 hours before your appointment. These products thin the top layer of skin, which can make waxing feel sharper and increase the risk of lifting. If you’re on prescription medications, especially ones that increase skin sensitivity, double-check that they’re compatible with waxing. It’s always better to confirm with your doctor than to find out the hard way mid-strip.
Skip caffeine and alcohol the day of your wax. Caffeine ramps up circulation and nervous system activity, which can heighten sensitivity. Alcohol thins the blood, making redness and pinpoint bleeding more likely.
Your skin should be calm and healthy before any waxing service. If you’re dealing with irritation, sunburn, peeling from skincare, or any active breakout in the area, give it time to heal first. Waxing over already-inflamed skin can feel more intense and delay recovery, and a professional waxer will reschedule the service if the skin isn’t ready.
If you menstruate, try to avoid booking waxes during or right around your period. It’s completely safe (we’ve waxed hundreds of clients on their period), but hormonal shifts can make nerve endings more reactive, which amplifies the sting.
On the day of your appointment, skip steam rooms, hot yoga, or heavy workouts. Heat and friction increase blood flow to the surface, making skin more reactive. Hydrate well the day before and the morning of your wax: supple skin tolerates waxing better than dry skin.
And finally, arrive clean and dry. No oils, lotions, butters, or balms. Wax needs direct contact with hair, not products, to grip properly.
How To Make Waxing Less Painful
Exfoliate lightly 24 to 48 hours before your appointment to remove dead skin and help hair surface fully. This reduces tugging and lowers your chances of ingrowns or folliculitis. Make sure the hair is long enough, about a half inch, so the wax can grip properly. If it’s too short, the wax won’t adhere well, and most studios will ask you to reschedule rather than risk repeated passes or unnecessary irritation.
If you’re especially sensitive, a one percent hydrocortisone cream after your wax can help calm redness. Some people also use a lidocaine spray beforehand for temporary numbing. Acetaminophen can take the edge off too; it’s preferred over ibuprofen or aspirin since it won’t increase bruising.
Keeping your skin moisturized between appointments improves flexibility and prevents breakage, and consistency is one of the biggest pain reducers. Regular waxing weakens follicles, makes hair grow back finer, and helps your skin adapt so each session feels easier.
FAQs About Waxing Pain
Does waxing for the first time hurt?
Usually more than subsequent sessions because hair is coarser and follicles are tighter. The good news: pain drops significantly after the first two or three waxes.
Is it painful to wax pubic hair?
Yes, it’s one of the most sensitive areas. The skin is thin, the hair is thick, and nerve endings are concentrated. However, skilled waxers make the experience fast and manageable.
How can I make waxing hurt less?
Keep skin hydrated, avoid caffeine and alcohol, exfoliate gently beforehand, maintain consistent waxing appointments, and choose experienced professionals. Technique matters more than product.
Does waxing hurt less if you shave first?
No, shaving actually makes waxing more painful. When you shave, the hair becomes blunt and coarser at the tip, which makes it harder for wax to grip cleanly. That usually leads to tugging, incomplete removal, and a sharper sting. It also resets your hair-growth cycle, which means you lose the progress you’ve built toward finer, easier-to-remove regrowth. For the smoothest, least painful wax, avoid shaving between appointments and let the hair grow to the recommended length.
Does waxing hurt less over time?
Absolutely. Regular waxing leads to finer regrowth and weaker follicles, which reduces discomfort dramatically.
Final Takeaway: Waxing Gets Easier, Faster, And Less Painful Over Time
Waxing can be uncomfortable, but the discomfort is quick, manageable, and becomes easier with consistency. Choosing fast and skilled professionals makes a noticeable difference in how each session feels. If you're curious about waxing in San Jose, want more prep and aftercare tips, or simply want to understand the process better, we cover it all on our blog.