Hair removal is undoubtedly one of the least glamorous parts of grooming. For most women, removing unwanted body hair is a full-time commitment. While many are accustomed to removing body hair, it does not make the process any less painful. Additionally, after going through all the pain, they may still have to deal with issues like the redness and nicks. While there are many different procedures for removing body hair, waxing is the most common one.

The biggest disadvantage of this type of hair removal procedure is the excruciating pain that accompanies this process. So if you’re planning to wax your skin, here are a few hair removal tips for women that will make the process less painful:

1. Prep your skin with a scrub beforehand
Exfoliate your skin every week. In addition, make sure to use a scrub around two days before you wax. This step will eliminate dead skin cells and make the waxing experience a little easier to bear.

2. Find the right type of wax
Experts suggest that using hard wax is comparatively less painful. It is also is more efficient and better for your skin as compared to soft wax. Soft wax usually has to be removed with paper strips. Using paper strips is not only painful but can also damage your skin. So, if it is best to use hard wax whenever possible.

3. Avoid getting waxed in the week before menstruation
Medical experts opine that the skin may be more sensitive during and around menstruation. As a result, women have a lower pain threshold during this period. If you wax your skin at this time, you are likely to experience more pain than usual.

4. Drink a lot of water on the day before the waxing appointment
Drinking a lot of water will plump your skin and make hair removal through waxing easier and much more bearable.

5. Make sure your body hair is long enough
This hair removal tip for women is quite tricky to follow. Body hair needs to be just the right size for a bearable waxing session. Experts suggest it should be around a quarter-inch or longer. The reason for this is that if the hair is too short, the wax will be unable to catch it. Waxing with short body hair can be very painful.

6. Wax later in the afternoon
Experts suggest that you should get waxing done between 3 pm to 5 pm. The pain threshold is supposed to be the highest during this time.

7. Remember to breathe
Another hair removal tip for women who are getting waxed is to keep taking deep breaths regularly and exhale just when the wax strip is being removed. This step calms your nerves and diverts your focus from the pain.

8. Avoid strenuous exercise after you wax
This hair removal tip for women involves avoiding something rather than doing something. Regardless of the type of workout, it is best to skip exercise on the day you get waxing done. Friction from exercise can irritate the skin and lead to bumps.