10 Ways to Make Waxing Less Painful (and Less Sweary)
TL;DR: How to Make Waxing Less Painful
Grow it out: Hair should be about ½ inch long, roughly the length of a grain of rice so the wax can grip properly.
Prep smart: Gently exfoliate 24 hours before, skip caffeine and alcohol, and relax.
Stay consistent: Regular waxing weakens hair follicles, so every visit hurts less than the last.
Aftercare matters: Skip heat, tight clothes, and workouts for 48 hours. Moisturize and exfoliate regularly to prevent ingrowns.
Trust your esthetician: Our viral 7-Minute Brazilian Wax is fast, efficient, and over before you can start swearing.
For anyone who’s been through it, waxing is a love-hate relationship. The results? Glorious. The process? A test of character. Anyone who claims it doesn’t hurt is either Iron Man or lying. But there are ways to make it feel less like facing the firing squad. With the right prep, timing, and a skilled esthetician, you can learn how to make waxing less painful.
At Ted D Bare, your favorite savage waxing studio in San Jose, we’ve spent nearly twenty years making body waxing fast, inclusive, and, dare we say, kinda enjoyable (thanks to equal parts skill, speed, and bad jokes). You’ve probably seen our viral 7-Minute Brazilian Wax on TikTok. But enough about us, let’s get into the 10 most effective ways to keep your next session as smooth as your post-wax skin.
Why Waxing Hurts (And Why It’s Still Better Than Shaving)
Waxing hurts because you’re pulling hair directly from the follicle. Pain receptors react instantly, which makes the first few sessions sting more. But does waxing hurt less over time? Absolutely. Regular waxing weakens hair follicles and leads to finer regrowth, so every visit gets easier.
Compared to shaving, waxing offers longer-lasting results, smoother skin, and less irritation once you establish a rhythm. Shaving only cuts hair at the surface, which means faster regrowth, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. When hair is sliced flat by a razor, the sharp edge can curl back into the skin as it grows, causing those irritating little bumps.
Waxing also naturally exfoliates your skin, removing dead cells along with the hair, leaving you smoother, softer, and way less prickly for weeks instead of days.
How to Make Waxing Less Painful — 10 Tips For Before, During & After
Learning how to make a Brazilian wax less painful or even how to make a bikini wax less painful starts with smart preparation and aftercare. Follow these professional pre-waxing prep tips for less pain to stay calm, prevent irritation, and keep redness to a minimum.
1. Grow Your Hair to the Right Length
Hair should be about a half inch long, roughly the length of a grain of rice. Too short, and the wax can’t grip it; too long, and it’ll pull unevenly. Getting the right length makes a huge difference in reducing tugging and discomfort. When in doubt, just grow it out. Your esthetician can trim it for you before your appointment.
2. Exfoliate 24 Hours Before Your Appointment
Exfoliating before a wax is like clearing traffic before rush hour: fewer blockages, fewer ingrowns.
A gentle exfoliation clears away dead skin cells so the wax grips hair evenly and doesn’t tug at excess skin. It also helps prevent ingrown hairs by keeping pores clear and allowing new hair to grow out properly. Avoid over-scrubbing or using acids right before your appointment, mild friction is all you need.
3. Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol the Day Of
This is one of the simplest things to avoid before waxing. Caffeine heightens your body’s sensitivity, while alcohol dehydrates your skin and makes it prone to irritation. I know, it’s always 5 p.m somewhere, right? But for the sake of your skin, skip the buzz. Opt for water or herbal tea instead to help your skin stay hydrated and handle the wax like a champ.
4. Take a Pain Reliever or Use a Numbing Cream (Optional)
Taking ibuprofen 30–45 minutes before your session can help reduce inflammation and soreness. If you prefer a topical option, a numbing cream can also help take the edge off. Apply a thin, even layer about 30 minutes before your appointment and wrap the area in Saran Wrap to help it absorb (and say a little prayer while you wait).
Avoid overdoing it; too much cream or a greasy application can interfere with the wax’s grip, making the process messier and less effective. You want the area to feel slightly tacky, not slippery, so the wax can still adhere properly.
5. Stay Consistent With Your Waxing Schedule
Regular waxing weakens hair follicles and leads to finer, sparser regrowth, making each session less painful. A Brazilian wax usually feels smooth for 3–4 weeks, and by week 4–6, it’s time to schedule your next appointment. Skip too many weeks, and you’re basically starting from scratch 🤷🏻♀️.
6. Time It Right — Avoid Waxing During Your Period
To be clear, it’s absolutely safe to get waxed on your period, as long as you’re wearing a tampon or menstrual cup. If women can run businesses and finish marathons on their period, you can definitely handle a wax.
That said, your pain tolerance dips during menstruation because of hormonal changes, which can make waxing feel more uncomfortable than usual. If you’d rather avoid the extra sensitivity, try scheduling your appointment a few days after your cycle instead.
7. Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing
After waxing, your skin needs to breathe. Tight jeans and synthetic fabrics trap heat and bacteria, which can lead to irritation or that burning, stinging feeling when freshly waxed skin rubs against rough material. Throw on cotton undies and soft, flowy pants - they’re like sweatpants for your Brazilian area. Comfort is key while your skin calms down.
8. Relax and Breathe (Seriously)
Muscle tension makes waxing feel worse. Deep breathing and staying relaxed help your esthetician work efficiently. Lucky for you, we LOVE to gossip and crack really bad jokes, so you’ll be laughing and debating over reality television before you even realize your appointment’s already over.
9. Skip the Gym and Hot Showers for 24–48 Hours
A quick cool or lukewarm shower before your wax is totally fine, it helps remove oils and sweat so the wax can grip hair more effectively. Just skip hot water or lotion right before, since both can make your skin more sensitive and slippery.
After your appointment, though, it’s time to chill. Waxing opens your pores and leaves your skin more vulnerable to bacteria, heat, and friction. Hot showers, steamy baths, and sweaty gym sessions can cause redness, bumps, or breakouts because the heat keeps pores open and invites irritation. Stick to cool water for the next 24–48 hours, and use a gentle, fragrance-free lotion to soothe and hydrate instead.
10. Moisturize and Exfoliate Between Appointments
This is one of the most overlooked wax aftercare tips to minimize discomfort. Keep your skin soft and supple by exfoliating gently a few times per week and moisturizing daily to prevent ingrowns and maintain smooth results. Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can trap new hair beneath the surface and cause irritation.
Our 50 Grit Exfoliating Towel will be your new best friend, and because she’s got two sides to her personality, she comes in Passive (for sensitive skin) and Aggressive (for normal or combination skin), so you can tailor exfoliation without irritation.
Moisturizing daily also keeps freshly waxed skin hydrated and flexible, helping new hair grow out more easily instead of curling back into the skin. Use the towel two to three times per week to slough off buildup gently, then follow with a fragrance-free lotion to lock in moisture and keep that post-wax glow going strong.
FAQs How To Make Waxing Less Painful
How to numb skin naturally before waxing?
Use a cold compress for a few minutes before your appointment to calm the area, just enough to reduce sensitivity, not tighten pores. If you want something natural, apply aloe vera or chamomile gel a few hours before your appointment to soothe and condition the skin. Just make sure it’s fully absorbed and your skin is dry before waxing so the wax can grip properly.
How can I increase my waxing pain tolerance?
Stay consistent with your waxing schedule. The more often you wax, the weaker your hair follicles become and the easier each session feels. Staying hydrated, exfoliating regularly, and practicing slow breathing during your appointment also help your body stay relaxed and more tolerant of discomfort.
What is the 48 hour rule for waxing?
After waxing, your pores stay open and sensitive for about two days. That’s why it’s best to avoid heat, friction, and sweat during this window. Skip hot showers, saunas, workouts, and tight clothing for 48 hours, and stick to cool water and gentle, fragrance-free lotion instead.
How to wax the pubic area without pain?
You can’t make a Brazilian completely painless when it’s already vaguely soul-crushing, but you can make it way more tolerable. Keep hair around a half-inch long, exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment, and avoid caffeine or alcohol the day of. Most importantly, book with a licensed esthetician who knows what they’re doing.
Meet San Jose’s Favorite 7-Minute Brazilian Wax Service
At Ted D Bare, we don’t drag out the pain. It’s over fast (like his promises). Our 7-Minute Brazilian Wax is quick, efficient, and done before your brain even has time to process. That means less time under tension and more time admiring your smooth results.
If you want more Brazilian wax comfort tips in San Jose or answers to all the questions you’re too shy to ask, check out our blog. We’ll give you the honest and occasionally savage truth about waxing because someone has to.