If women can do it, why can’t men?

In your head,waxing, whether at home or in a studio, probably just sounds torturous. 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 it’s 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 phenomena is a good, old fashioned way.

So before you grab the wax and go to town, it’s best to know exactly what you’re in for – and how exactly it should be done. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Here’s how you can turn to wax from a red, hair-coated nightmare into a pain-free, hair-free dream. Click here!

1. There are different kinds of wax. Beware.

Not all wax is necessarily created equal.

Hard Candy wax, which Pink Parlour uses predominantly, tends to “take off more of the hair and it’s less painful,” Hard candy wax also tends to be more universal, best for different types or quantities of hair.

Soft wax, which is most commonly found on strips,  soft wax is better for removing fine hair. “It’s good for peach fuzz,” Whether you’re going to the salon or doing it at home, be mindful of which type of wax you’re using.

Watch how it feels to get waxed here:

2. No, it doesn’t hurt that bad. Calm down.

“If you go in and you’re all tense and you’re thinking it’s horrible, it becomes a less enjoyable service,”

Instead, got into your wax with a positive or, at the very least, a realistic attitude. It’s not going to be nearly as painful as it looks or sounds. It’s particularly helpful if you’ve done your research beforehand and the salon environment is relaxing.

3. There are ways to prepare beforehand if you’re nervous.

Yes, you could go with the usual pre-wax hacks of grabbing Ibuprofen or doing a shot of vodka to relax. Those things won’t necessarily hurt, but the most foolproof way to face your fear is to do it head-on.

try waxing a small patch or do only one single, less intimidating area in order to make sure you’re comfortable. Want to get everything below the belt waxed off? Try just doing your back first or only having a small area done in preparation. You’ll get a sense for just how a wax actually feels.

4. And afterwards, you’ll have to switch up your routine a little bit.

Immediately after you get a wax, you should avoid working out. And by avoid working out, we mean that it’s a must that you skip the gym for the day. If you sweat heavily into the open, irritated pores, you’re going to end up with acne as you’ve never seen before. No thanks.

5. Next time, it’ll be even easier.

Once you wax the first time, your skin becomes used to the feeling. If you keep going, your skin will only continue to become increasingly acclimated to the practice. In fact, the exfoliating processes actually make your skin smoother and softer, which is always a plus.

With each session, you’ll likely be more and more prepared physically and mentally. Look at it as a self-care practice and not an annoying chore or an obligatory ritual.

6. More and more men are choosing to get waxed.

Thousands of people search for phrases like ‘body waxing for men’ and ‘waxing for men’ every month. Body hair is becoming increasingly personal and arguably, men’s grooming practices are on the rise. Men are also continuing to embrace healthy ideas like wellness and self-care. And more and more men are coming into the salon than ever before.

Why? There is a myriad of reasons.

“Some men do it because they’re in sports and some men do it because they like the look,”  “Some men have never even thought of it, but we’re finding that afterwards, they love that clean feeling. They’re not as sweaty or it’s just much better.”

No matter the exact reason why men are getting waxed, they’re doing it in pretty considerable amounts. Survive your first waxing here!

7. You don’t need to be self-conscious if you prefer to be hairless.

“If women can do it, why can’t men?”

No matter how much hair you prefer, your choice of whether or not to wax or which 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.

“All men should try it once,“Before, they were like, ‘oh, that’s for women only,’ and now, everybody does it.”

It will eventually become your monthly grooming routine just like your monthly hair barber/salon visit.

BOOK YOUR FIRST WAXING EXPERIENCE!

This article originally appeared on Men’s Health US.

By Louis Baragona