Kayla Young
You’re looking to flaunt your smooth, soft, sexy legs. Hair… management… is always a problem. There’s shaving, waxing, epilating, laser/IPL hair removal. Waxing is a great choice: quick and effective.
There’s just one problem. And that is the pain.
You’re not alone if you are pondering the question “Does waxing your legs hurt?” The truth is, waxing your legs does hurt! In fact, waxing pretty much any part of your body will hurt. It’s similar to epilating, it just hurts until you’re done with it. You’re ripping the hair out with the follicles attached.
Ouch.
However, many still push through with waxing. And some find that the pain of anticipation is worse than the pain of the waxing.
Exactly how painful is waxing? We’ll discuss that and a few more details about waxing and pain below.
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Does Waxing Your Legs Hurt?
Some people never try to wax their legs because they’ve heard that it hurts a lot. Obviously, when pulling multiple hairs at the same time, there’s gonna be pain. However, it is not as unbearable as you may think. Of course, the pain will vary from person to person. People have different pain thresholds and scales.
The waxing technique, and your experience with waxing, can change the pain level. If you’re a waxing rookie, the feeling will be foreign. You’ll be shocked at how fast the hair is removed by the professional. But if you are familiar with the experience, you’ll know what to expect.
Another reason waxing the legs is painful is due to the large surface area of the legs. You just can’t wax your whole legs in a single application, as you might with a Brazilian. The wax is applied in different areas until all of your legs are covered.
Waxing the legs is going to take quite a bit longer than waxing a smaller area like your armpits.
How To Make Waxing Less Painful
Alright, so waxing the legs is at least somewhat painful. But in the end, you get smooth, luscious, sensual legs. Fantastic.
Is there a way to have a less painful waxing experience?
Well, the good news is that there are multiple things that you can do to try and lessen the pain. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Numb The Nerves
Before you go and have your legs waxed, you can first use a topical numbing cream on them. This is usually applied to the legs 30-45 minutes before your waxing session.
We looked at several numbing creams here. These are key if you have sensitive skin.
Alternatively, you can also take over-the-counter pain medication. Like the topical cream, the pain medication should also be used about half an hour before the waxing session.
2. Work With A Professional
If it is your first time having your legs waxed, make an appointment to go to a reputable salon. You’ll know that the technique used is correct, and you’ll learn what to expect from someone who does it all the time. Having a professional wax your legs will be less painful than a home waxing, due to the experience level. They know how to properly do the procedure and could use various techniques to make it less painful for you.
Although there are lots of No products found. for home use, you may not want to start out using them. Get some experience with a salon professional before you dive in on your own — particularly if we’re talking a bikini wax.
For beginners, you’d be better off having someone who knows how to wax the legs do it for you. If you don’t want to go to a professional, at least try to find help from someone who has done it before on themselves.
Sure, you can eventually get the hang of waxing your own legs. It’s not hard, and it’s way cheaper! But the first time or two, go to someone who knows what they are doing.
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3. Exfoliate
Help the wax easily remove the hair follicles from your body by using body scrubs .
By exfoliating the skin, dead skin cells are removed. Some of these cells will be surrounding hair follicles. By removing those dead cells, it becomes easier to remove the hair root and follicles as well.
Also, regular exfoliation helps prevent ingrown hairs. Exfoliation should be done before waxing and after a few days after waxing.
4. Avoid Using Products That Tighten Pores
Before waxing, it is best to avoid using a toner or astringent to the area you plan to wax. Similarly, the use of ice or cold compress to numb the area isn’t advisable. This is because the cold doesn’t only numb the nerves, it also tightens the pores.
That’s going to make it much more difficult to remove the hair. If you want to numb the nerves, use a topical cream or an oral pain reliever.
5. Don’t Underestimate Waxing
As we’ve said, it is best to leave waxing to the professionals at the spa, especially if it is your first time. If you really want to do it on your own, then it would be best to inform yourself about the proper techniques.
Waxing your legs isn’t just applying the wax and pulling it. If you think it is that easy, you might find yourself in a lot of pain due to a lack of technique.
6. Wait Until the Hair is Long Enough Before Waxing
If you’ve recently shaved the hair you want to wax off, you need to wait until it’s long enough before waxing it. This will help you avoid an uneven look, irritation, and ingrown hairs. Be sure the hair is at least 1/4″ long before waxing it.
7. Try It On A Small Area
When waxing at home, if you’re still learning, start on a smaller area than your legs. Get used to the sensation of waxing, and the technique. Also, using small amounts or waxing smaller areas at a time will prevent the wax from getting too hard because you just can’t manage to pull it off.
Sometimes, you can’t just find the will to rip it off and end up having the wax get too hard to remove due to your hesitation.
Post-Wax Aftercare
Moisturize your legs after they’ve been waxed, and give them a little love. Avoid long, hot baths or showers, and try not to work out strenuously for a day or so. Maybe skip the leggings for a day or so and wear some looser clothing.
After a day or two, any redness and soreness should be gone, and you’ll be able to show off your beautiful smooth legs.
Final Thoughts
So does leg waxing hurt? Yes. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it.
If you really like smooth skin, you should give it a go, and put some coconut oil on after! Waxing makes your legs look amazing, reduces overall hair growth speed, and makes hair grow back thinner.
What is painful for others may not be too painful for you. But if you have really sensitive skin, be ready.
If you are set to waxing on your own at home, there are still some things you can do to lessen the pain. That would include using creams or a pain reliever to numb the nerves. Additionally, you should exfoliate, study the technique, and start waxing small areas.
And if you’re still really concerned about the pain, you may want to lean toward a laser hair removal device. These hurt too, but less than waxing. And once you’re done, you’re done for the long term.
