Getting a bikini wax for the first time? Even though it’s not the greatest experience, it’s totally worth it! A waxed bikini area stays smooth for up 2 to 4 weeks as opposed to days. So, stop reaching for that razor and book your waxing appointment.

Here are 8 tips to help you prepare for your waxing appointment.

1. Avoid Shaving and Let it Grow

Grow out your hair for 2 to 3 weeks. Longer hair is easier to wax and less painful. Its recommended that the hair is slightly longer than 0.5cm.

2. Take a Painkiller Before Your Appointment

Taking a painkiller beforehand will assist with relaxing as well making the skin less inflamed. Also, try looking at your phone or talking to your beauty therapist as a distraction.

3. Avoid Getting Waxed Around Your Period

Your body is more sensitive around that time of the month. So, to avoid a bad waxing experience, don’t book your bikini wax 5 days before or 5 days after your period.

4. Exfoliate. Exfoliate. Exfoliate!

Exfoliating the evening or morning before your wax, with a sugar scrub, will assist in getting rid of dead skin cells. This will result in a clean wax and fewer ingrown hairs.

5. Exercise Before Waxing, not After

If you sweat on the skin that’s newly waxed in tight yoga pants, there’s no hair to absorb the sweat and the friction will irritate your skin. So, wake up early for your spinning class that day.

6. Wax At Least Three Days Before Swimming

Sometimes it takes a bit longer for the redness to calm down. If you’re going swimming in the ocean or a pool, the saltwater or chlorine will get into your open pores and cause more irritation. So, plan ahead and get your wax before the day of your outing.

7. Wear Something Comfortable

Try to wear loose and easy to “slip in and out of” bottoms to avoid any irritation or chafing afterwards.

8. Get Undressed = Take Your Undies Off

When your beauty therapist tells you to “get undressed,” she means everything from the waist down. If you’re uncomfortable with that, then you could always request disposable underwear.

Now that you’re all set for your waxing appointment, find out which thoughts go through every lady’s mind while getting waxed. Cosmopolitan gives you 11 hilarious but so true thoughts. No, you’re not alone!