What Happens When You Get Your Legs Waxed in first time?

How I’ve made it through this many years of living without getting any kind of wax is a mystery to me, but a girl can only go so long before taking the plunge. Besides being a beauty editor and needing to explore the realm of waxing for the sake of work, spring is coming, and who really wants to shave their legs every couple of days? Certainly not this girl. After a bit of consideration, I decided it was finally time to rip off the bandaid, and I booked an appointment.

I’ve got a fairly high pain tolerance, so that wasn’t really an issue. But, like most things you try for the first time, there’s a sense of nervousness the first time you lay on a table and someone starts spreading hot purple wax on your thigh. There’s no sense in saying it doesn’t hurt, but honestly, it’s not that bad. Plus, anything that makes shaving in the shower a distant memory is okay in my book.
What’s it like getting your legs waxed for the first time? Read on.
Even though it’s your first time, it’s certainly not theirs: Whoever is waxing your legs has done this so many times they’ve lost count. Relax and know that you’re in good hands (assuming you’ve booked an appointment at a reputable place).

MORE: Waxing: Your Go-To Source for Hair Removal

Don’t move: Especially if you’re getting hard wax, you can’t move once it’s applied otherwise the wax won’t dry properly to take remove the hair. Be prepared for a few strange positions that will likely make you feel like you need to squirm, but consider this fair warning that you need to remain still.

Turn your head and cough: At one point, you’ll switch from laying on your stomach to laying on your back. When you’re on your back, it’ll be easier to turn and cough, which is a trick to feel less pain. You’ll exert breath and distract yourself from pain at the same time, so if you can remember to turn your head and cough, you’re golden. If your waxer doesn’t suggest it first, give him or her a head’s up so they’re not thrown off by you coughing the entire time.
Keep breathing: This may be the hardest thing to remember in the moment, but I can’t tell you enough to just keep breathing. Our muscles tense up and clench when we’re anticipating pain, but the second you let go of your breath and relax, everything gets better.
Be prepared to be up-sold: In the same way that your hairstylist will try to sell you shampoo and conditioner from the salon, your waxer will try to sell you serum, oil, per-wax and post-wax spray, so just be prepared for that.

MORE: Body Waxing 101: Everything You Should Know

No hot water for 24 hours: Go for Luke warm water instead of hot, which will actually help your skin in the long run anyway because hot water can dry it out. Stay away from baths, hot tubs, and scorching hot showers to avoid serious skin irritation.

Your legs won’t be baby smooth at first: I was expecting to walk out of the salon with legs smoother than anything, but that wasn’t really the case. Considering shaving has been the hair removal method for more than a decade, the hair is conditioned for that and needs to be trained differently. It’s a process, and after a few times, your hair growth cycle changes.

Not shaving is the best thing ever: If you can afford to wax your legs every four weeks, it is absolutely glorious because you never have to shave them. You save time, nicks, and frustration you would’ve otherwise spent with a bottle of shaving cream and a razor. It’s amazing, and it’s perfect when skirt season is right around the corner.