In your head, waxing (whether at home or salon), probably just sounds painful and uncomfortable. Ripping, screaming, and of course, that infamous scene from The 40-Year-Old Virgin all come to mind.

But here's the thing: if you're determined to remove your hair, it's gotta come off somehow. And its no simple feat to get the razor to hit the right spot on your back or to avoid an itchy, irritated chest. The only way to stave off those two painful phenomenas is a good, old-fashioned wax.

So, before you grab the wax and go to town, or you book in for waxing at a salon, it's best to know exactly what you need to do before and after to ensure you get the perfect results you want.

Pre-wax Care

Whether you're waxing your legs at home or booking an intimate wax at the salon, the pre- wax care is relatively the same and so very simple. Here's a quick breakdown of what you should do to prepare ahead of time.

Make Sure Your Hair is Long Enough

Are you thinking you should trim your hair or even shave a bit before a wax? Don’t! Give up the razor for at least five days before a wax. It is recommended that you grow out your hair to the size of a grain of rice. Why? Well, if your hair is too short to be “grabbed” by the wax, not all of it will come out. This can make an appointment less effective and more painful for you. So be free, let that body hair grow!

Exfoliate Your Skin Two Days Before

Exfoliating your skin on the lead up to your waxing appointment can remove dead skin build-up and prepare skin for the best waxing results. Exfoliating also ensures that any ingrown hairs will be more accessible during a session so they can be removed from the skin. But when should you exfoliate the skin so it's ready for waxing day? Two or three days beforehand is the sweet spot for exfoliation to prime your skin.

Keep Hydrated

Drinking water is a biggie when it comes to your skin—so it makes sense that hydration is a key to a successful waxing appointment. If your skin is dry, that means your hair is dry too, and your hair could break when you get waxed. Your best bet to keeping hydrated before a wax is to aim for eight glasses of water a day. It is also a great idea to stay away from alcohol and caffeine (both of which can be dehydrating) and use non-comedogenic moisturising skin/body products.

Make Sure You’re Clean

Yes, it's a kindness to your waxer that you arrive fresh and cleansed, but it will also help the wax go more smoothly. Natural oils, sweat, or body lotions can prohibit wax from adhering as well. So clean and dry will ensure you achieve the perfect look you're looking for when it comes to your wax.

Waxing Aftercare

Once you're waxed, it's all about taking extra care and caution for the next 48 hours. Here are 4 things we recommend you avoid or do while your newly waxed skin is at its most sensitive. After that, you should be smooth sailing for the next three to four weeks, when hair typically begins to grow back after a wax.

Stay Out Of The Sun

The first 48 hours after waxing, your already delicate skin is even more vulnerable. So while you may be dying to throw on your swim wear the second you leave the salon, keep in mind that sensitive skin is more susceptible to U.V. rays. 

No sweat, sweat, sweating

Bacteria thrives in warm, wet places, and you want to keep your fresh wax as clean as possible. For this reason, it's worth taking a break from any activity that could cause you to sweat for no less than 48 hours. If you sweat heavily into the open, irritated pores, you're going to end up with irritation and spots like you've never seen before.

Opt For Loose Clothing

One thing to keep in mind is that anything tight-fitting can rub raw spots and cause irritation. You'll want to give your skinny jeans and tight briefs a break for at least 48 hours and stick with breathable cotton fabrics, jogging bottoms, and loose-fitting garments only.

Be Selective With Your Skin Care

Stick with gentle, fragrance-free body washes and creams for the first few days after you've waxed. Ingredients found in many lotions and potions can cause irritation to freshly waxed skin. Check your current skincare for products you can still use but, if need be, go out and buy the products that are going to be gentle on the skin.

And Finally...

Don't feel embarrassed, nervous, or ashamed to book in for a waxing treatment. You don't need to be self-conscious, whether you prefer to be hairless or hairy AF. No matter how much hair you prefer, your choice of hair to remove is totally up to you. You should determine whether you want to head to a waxing appointment – and if you do, you should be able to do it proudly. Waxing doesn't need to be a pain, nor does it need to be a shame. Just make sure you take care of the skin before and after your waxing, and you're good to go.