Remember the famous waxing scene in “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” where Steve Carell screams his head off and sobs like a baby? So not what a realistic waxing session looks like. The experts I talked to said these movie scenes are way exaggerated, and the last thing they want is for people to believe them, and then cancel their appointment or come into the salon terrified.

Most women say they feel intense pressure or a quick stinging sensation when the wax is pulled off. If your wax does cause you to scream or writhe in pain, your waxer might not be very skilled (in which case, you should leave immediately), or you may be overly sensitive to pain (then waxing might not be the best option).

Keep reading for some crazy stories on how different women respond to pain.