Tips For Male Body Waxing

The 2005 film "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" contains plenty of comically painful scenes, none better than when the film's protagonist has a thick rug of chest hair removed in preparation for a date. Sure, the scene is funny, but it contains an element of truth. Waxing, formerly thought of as strictly a women's procedure, is a popular way for men to remove ugly or unwanted hair. Just because it's popular, however, doesn't mean it's easy.

Don't Shave

Let the hair in the treatment area grow a bit before your appointment. Denise Mann, a writer for the skin-care advice resource Dermadoctor, advises men seeking wax hair removal not to shave the treatment area for two weeks before an appointment. Shorter hair, she says, is more painful and difficult to remove. If you have been shaving, Waxing4Blokes, an Australian men's personal-care resource, recommends allowing hair to grow to at least one-half cm before going for your appointment.

Be Courteous

No matter what part of the body you're having waxed, take a shower and scrub yourself thoroughly before you go to the salon or spa. Just as dentists want people to brush their teeth before a checkup and hair stylists want people to wash their hair before having it cut, estheticians desire a similar measure of respect. They want their clients clean before being exposed to large swaths of their skin and hair.

Dress Appropriately

Waxing makes the skin exponentially more sensitive, so what you wear to and from the appointment can have a significant effect on how much pain you feel. The Australian men's personal care resource Waxing4Blokes recommends wearing loose cotton clothing. Tight clothes or coarse fabrics may irritate newly hairless skin.

Minimize Your Pain

Take over-the-counter pain relief medication before your appointment, and bring another dose with you. Dermadoctor writer Denise Mann says waxing may cause your muscles to clench, and throughout the course of the appointment, that can lead to stiffness and pain. If your skin burns after the treatment, apply petroleum jelly or after-shave lotion.

See a Professional

Go to a professional if you're new to waxing, or if you're having hair removed from a sensitive area. Waxing requires technique and skill, and if you lack those things, you'll cause yourself a lot of pain. For those who wax at home, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of Boston warns against waxing over warts and moles. No one should wax broken or irritated skin, according to "The Principles of Esthetic Procedures," an instructional text provided by Cengage Learning.

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