If we were the organised, dedicated ladies we wish we were, we'd have a bikini wax booked as standard every four weeks, ensuring less pain and just the right amount of hair growth between appointments.

Of course, life (and our budget) sometimes gets in the way, and when we realise we've left it a week or two later than planned, more often than not we end up waiting even longer out of sheer dread for the pain that awaits us. That's why we were delighted to find out that there are a few things that can be done to keep pain at a minimum when it comes to waxing.

Here are some of the tips we've tried and tested…

1. Prepare your skin beforehand
In order to unclog pores and follicles, it's important to exfoliate well around a week or two before your wax. This loosens the hairs and means they can be pulled out much more smoothly. Keeping your skin soft and moisturised also increases elasticity, so your skin won't get as irritated during waxing.

2. Do not shave. We repeat, DO NOT SHAVE.
For a wax to be as pain and stress free as possible for both you and the waxer, it's key to have at least three (usually four) weeks of uninterrupted hair growth. That means that shaving between waxes is a total no-no. When you shave, your hair grows back bluntly and in different directions, making it far more painful for it to be waxed off.

3. Take a painkiller
It might seem obvious, but taking an Aspirin or Ibuprofen about 45 minutes before your appointment reduces pain and also reduces inflammation. Sorted. Don't go over the recommended dosage, obviously.

4. Choose Lycon wax
Look for a salon that offers Lycon wax, which is far gentler than regular strip waxing as it can be peeled off the skin. A lot of salons using Lycon also apply a layer of oil underneath, further protecting the skin as the wax only sticks to the hairs, not the skin underneath.

5. Time it right
Unless absolutely necessary, avoid scheduling a wax in the few days leading up to your period. Your skin is hyper-sensitive around this time. Also, our pain threshold is supposedly at an all time high between 3pm and 5pm, and is far lower early in the morning. An afternoon wax it is, so.