Depending on how much you've let your hair grow out, the thought of shaving might sound extremely tempting right now, but it's not recommended. On top of the fact that shaving won't keep the hair away for as long, it'll also change the texture of your hair when it grows back, which means that once you do go back for your follow-up wax, the hair will be thicker and more stubborn, making your wax a little more painful.
That said, if you're feeling desperate, particularly about removing the hair in your bikini area, Petak recommends only shaving in moderation. "If you absolutely must get rid of the hair, only shave the sides of your bikini line," she said. "This way you still feel groomed but you're not starting your waxing results from scratch."