No Pain No Gain: Beauty treatments that make you wince

Karen GEORGE

07 May 2015

updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:07

1/5
Chemical peels
Something that is acidic and removes dead skin cells by burning the epidermis is going to be uncomfortable on some level. Puffiness and blotchy red skin is common after such treatments, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
2/5
Eyebrow threading
Let's get one thing clear: eyebrow threading is PAINFUL. The good news? This pain decreases somewhat over time, the more visits you make to your aesthetician. Having your eyebrow hair pulled out over and over can't possibly be an enjoyable experience. To reduce the pain, put an ice pack on your brows to numb the area or use a desensitizing cream beforehand.
3/5
Laser hair removal
The idea of having smooth, hair free legs for a few months appeals to every woman but the process it takes to get there is not exactly a walk in the park. Having something hot and electronic zapping away at your legs is far from a spa experience. The level of discomfort depends on the treated area, hair texture, and skin.
4/5
Acne extraction
Facials are all fun and friendly till they get to the acne extraction part. Then it's like a mini sickle has made its way to your face and is digging a hole in each pore. Over and over your kunckles turn white as you pray for it all to be over. You're one of the lucky ones if your beautifcian applies a topical cream beforehand.
5/5
Brazilian waxing
Having hot wax poured on your skin before clumps of it are brutally ripped off is bad enough. Now imagine that scenario but replace your legs with your nether regions. Brazilian waxing is high on our pain scale, perhaps only one step lower than childbirth and menstrual cramps. Grown men have been reduced to tears in the seats of waxing parlors and there have been countless articles on how to well prepare yourself for this monstrous act. The good news? Much like threading, waxing gets less paniful with each hair removing session.

The things we do in the name of beauty. Find out which treatments will have you squirming in your seat.

They say beauty is pain and it couldn’t be more true when it comes to some of the treatments we subject ourselves to in the name of vanity. Nowhere is this more evident than in most of the plastic surgical procedures women undergo to improve their looks. But we’re not talking drastic measures like rhinoplasty or double eyelid surgery, we’re talking ordinary, everyday beauty “rituals” that women have somehow incorporated into their beauty regimes because they’ve been convinced that that’s what they need to look acceptable.

As much as we ladies love putting our best face forward, the process to get there sometimes makes us question if it’s worth all the effort. Click through the gallery for a list of beauty treatments, from the least painful to ones where Tylenol is needed and your tear ducts start watering on cue.

Karen George

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No Pain No Gain: Beauty treatments that make you wince

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