You're Doing It Wrong: Bikini Waxing Doesn't Have to Be Scary

Whether you love the sensation, like Rihanna reportedly does, or just "believe in grooming," as Cameron Diaz once said, you should be informed about the ways you can maintain your body hair.
The tried-and-true favorite for many a celeb? A Brazilian or bikini wax. "Getting regular waxes damages the follicles, making the hair sparser and thinner over time," said veteran aesthetician Michelle Mapes, of Stark Waxing Studio in Los Angeles. Unlike with shaving, maintaining your down-there hair doesn't have to be so frequent. Win! But sometimes, it can be a pain—literally. Lose.
Don't suffer more than you have to. Here's what you need to know about getting a wax.

Don't Book an Appointment Too Early: Most salons require that your hair is at least an inch and a quarter long. "We recommend at last three weeks of hair growth," said Michelle. "Clients come in every three-to-six weeks if they get waxed regularly or about one month from their previous wax or two weeks from shaving."
Expect a Reaction: "A little irritation is normal after waxing," ensured the pro. "Most skin will calm itself down after a couple hours…some take longer. Some skin is simply reacting to the heat of the wax and hair being pulled out of the follicle, while others produce extra histamine, causing temporary hives." You should always know what's in the wax—and any soothing gels or creams—in case you do have a more serious allergic reaction. Should you break out in hives, "a little hydrocortisone can be helpful to reduce redness and irritation," Michelle added. Also, try not to wear tight clothes for a few hours after.

Direction Matters: "Some people who go to inexperienced aestheticians may be bruised from the skin not being supported (held down) while the wax is being pulled off. Some may end up with broken hairs or stubble when the wax is removed from the wrong direction (read: The correct way is going against the direction of hair growth)."
Don't Be (Too) Scared: Will it hurt? Mostly likely…but probably not as bad as you think. "[As an aesthetician], you have to take so many factors in to count for what might make pain tolerance change or even fluctuate: Is the client hydrated, have they been sick recently, have they been on any kind of medication, sleepy, stressed or hungover? All of these can determine pain tolerance. That said, most clients agree that their anticipation is worse than the actual experience."
Follow-Up at Home: To prevent ingrown hairs, exfoliate dead skin cells in the shower.