How to Prepare for a Blood Test

Medical professionals order blood tests for a variety of reasons. From monitoring medication levels to evaluating your results in the course of diagnosing a medical condition, blood work can be an essential component of your health care. Specifically, blood tests are done to evaluate the function of certain organs, such as the liver or kidneys, diagnose disease, determine risk factors, check medications you are taking, and assess blood clotting.^[1] Depending upon the type of blood test ordered, you’ll either have your blood drawn in their office or at another laboratory in your area. There are multiple things you can do to prepare yourself for a blood test, both mentally and physically.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Preparing Physically For a Blood Test

1. Talk with your doctor. Let your doctor know about any symptoms you've been experiencing, and ask if there are any specific blood tests that could help with investigating the cause.^[2] You need to know about the specific blood tests your doctor is ordering. Some blood tests will require special preparation to get accurate results.
   
   • Some tests require fasting. This means no food or drink, other than plain water, for at least 8 hours. Juice, tea, or coffee should not be consumed because the sugars and calories in these beverages may cause inaccurate test results.^[3]
   • In some cases, the glucose (blood sugar) and serum lipid (cholesterol) tests require fasting, but may not be necessary in other cases. Your doctor may order these tests as random, meaning fasting isn't needed.^[4]
   • The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) first involves a baseline fasting sample draw. Then, you'll consume a flavored drink containing a certain amount of glucose, and undergo additional blood draws over a period of several hours. The purpose is to see how fast your body metabolizes glucose and is often part of a pre-diabetes investigation. Make sure you are able to stay in the lab for the whole duration.^[5]
   • Certain hormone tests such as cortisol, aldosterone, and renin require you to refrain from exercising the day before, lie down for 30 minutes before the test, and refrain from eating or drinking for 1 hour before the test.^[6]
   • Tests to be done at a specific day or time. For instance, testosterone may be ordered as being drawn in the morning before 10 a.m., and progesterone should be tested on a specific day of a woman's menstrual cycle.^[7]
   • Tests for monitoring certain medications, such as tacrolimus, are ordered as either pre-dose (before the next dose) or post-dose (2 hours after you take the medication). Be prepared to tell the lab staff the date and time of your last dose and the frequency with which you take the medication.^[8]
2. Discuss your medications. There are certain substances that can alter blood tests, which you may need to stop before your blood test. Prescription medications, recreational drugs, alcohol intake, vitamins, blood thinners, or over-the-counter medications can often change the results of a blood test, depending on what the blood test is for.^[9]
   
   • Your physician can determine if you should wait 24 to 48 hours to have the blood work done or if what you have taken will not significantly alter the blood test results.
3. Refrain from certain activities. There are some blood tests that can be compromised based on your activities. These tests can be altered by recent physical activity or heavy exercise, undergoing dehydration, smoking, drinking herbal teas, or sexual activity.^[10]
   
   • You might be asked to refrain from some of these activities prior to taking a blood test.
4. Ask your doctor for instructions. Many routine tests do not require special preparation prior to getting your blood drawn. However, when in doubt, ask. If your physician does not give you any special instructions, it is important that you ask in order to reduce the potential that you arrive for the test without preparing sufficiently.
   
5. Drink enough water. Being sufficiently hydrated makes the blood draw easier because it increases your blood volume and makes your veins more prominent to the touch. If you need to fast from water as well, be sure you are very hydrated from the day before.^[11]
   
6. Warm your extremities. Before you get ready to take a blood test, warm the extremity where the blood will be drawn. Use a warm compress over the area for 10 to 15 minutes to improve the blood flow to that area.^[12]
   
   • Wear warmer than normal clothes for the season when you go in to get your blood drawn. This increases your skin temperature, increases the blood flow to the area, and makes it easier for the phlebotomist (the person who draws your blood)^[13] to find a good vein.
7. Communicate with the phlebotomist. Lab staff are trained health professionals and will help guide you through the procedure safely. Understand that for the sake of obtaining accurate test results, staff may not be able to proceed with the blood draw if you've deviated from any preparation requirements.^[14]
   
   • Mention if you are allergic or sensitive to latex. Latex can be found in gloves, tourniquets, and bandages, and an exposure can be life-threatening in a person with an allergy or sensitivity. It is important to notify both your doctor and the phlebotomist so they can use latex-free equipment.^[15]
   • Let the staff know if you're taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or apixaban (Eliquis). Since these medications prolong the time it takes your blood to clot, you and/or your phlebotomist will need to hold very firm pressure on the gauze for at least 5 minutes after the procedure to stop the bleeding.^[16]
   • If you have a history of feeling weak, sick, or faint during or after blood tests, you should definitely disclose this information to the lab staff. Phlebotomy chairs are designed with a sturdy armrest that swings over the lap to prevent fainting patients from falling to the floor. Most labs have beds, so you can ask to have your blood drawn while lying down.^[17]
   • Don't be afraid to offer helpful hints if you know you're a "hard stick" or your veins tend to be hard to find. Phlebotomists have the technical knowledge and skill, but ultimately you know your body more than anyone else. If you know, let the staff know which arm or hand is most likely to cooperate, which vein is easier to find and draw from, or which type of needle tends to be most effective.^[18]

[Edit]Preparing Mentally For a Blood Test

1. Stabilize your stress. Blood tests can increase your stress level or anxiety when you are nervous about the test. Unfortunately, becoming stressed increases your blood pressure, constricts your veins, and makes getting your blood drawn more difficult. If you look and sound anxious, you're probably making your phlebotomist feel more pressured and anxious as well.^[19]
   
   • Knowing how to reduce your stress can help improve your preparation for the test and increase the likelihood that the phlebotomist will find the vein the first time.
   • You could try deep breathing exercises or repeating a calming phrase, such as "This will be over very soon. Plenty of people have blood drawn. I can handle this." Look at the "Stress Reduction Techniques" section of this article for more tips.
2. Recognize your fears. Before you go to the doctor to have your blood taken, recognize that you might be anxious about having your blood drawn. You may also have a fear of needles. Between three and 10 percent of the population has a fear of needles (Belonephobia) or a fear of all injections (Trypanophobia).^[20]
   
   • Interestingly, 80% of people with a phobia of needles report that they have a first-degree relative also has a strong fear of needles. It's possible this fear is partially genetic.
3. Ask about options for local anesthesia. If you have had your blood drawn before and know that it is particularly painful for you, ask your doctor for an EMLA (Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics). This is a cream which is put on the draw site between 45 minutes to 2 hours before the blood draw to numb the area.^[21]
   
   • If you know that you are susceptible to pain, ask if EMLA is an option for you.^[22]
   • EMLA is commonly used for children, but it is much less common for use by adults because of how long it takes for the medications to take effect in comparison to the actual duration of the blood draw.^[23]
   • You can also ask about "Numby Stuff," a proprietary topical preparation that includes a combination of lidocaine and epinephrine and a mild electrical current to numb an area. It works in about 10 minutes.^[24]
4. Understand how the procedure starts. To feel better mentally about having blood drawn, it helps to have an understanding the procedure. The phlebotomist will sanitize their hands and put on a new pair of gloves as part of standard infection control procedure. Next, a flat elastic band (tourniquet) is tied somewhat tightly around your arm to compress your veins and engorge them with blood, which will make them easier to find. During a typical blood test, blood is usually drawn from a vein on the inner part of your elbow, the underside of your forearm, or the back of your hand.^[25]
   
5. Know how the blood is drawn. The blood is drawn in similar ways, no matter where you get it done. A needle will go into your vein, which is usually attached to a small tube. When there is enough blood the tube, the tube is taken off, which seals automatically.^[26]
   
   • If more tubes are required, the needle remains in place and another tube is put on the end of the needle. Once all the tubes needed for your blood tests are filled, the phlebotomist will remove the needle and put a small gauze over the area. She will ask you to put pressure on the area while they prepare the tubes to go to the laboratory.
   • After the needle is taken out, a bandage or piece of gauze is placed over the puncture site to stop the bleeding.^[27]
   • The whole process usually takes 5 minutes or less.^[28]
   • If your doctor has requested blood cultures, the procedure for collecting these is slightly different: more time is spent cleaning your arm, different bottles are used, and one poke on each arm is required.^[29]

[Edit]Using Stress Reduction Techniques

1. Breathe deeply. If you are having a hard time with the idea of getting your blood drawn, you need to relax. Take a deep breath and focus all of your attention on breathing. Deep breathing activates the body’s relaxation response. Inhale slowly to the count of four and then exhale slowly to the count of four.^[30]
   
2. Accept that you are anxious. Anxiety is just a feeling like any other feeling. Feelings only have control when you give them control. When you accept that you are anxious you take the power away from the feeling. If you try to get rid of the feeling it becomes overwhelming.^[31]
   
3. Recognize that your mind is playing tricks on you. Anxiety is a trick of the mind that has real physical consequences. Enough anxiety can produce a panic attack, which can mimic a heart attack. When you understand that your anxiety, no matter how little or big, is little more than a trick of the mind it helps reduce the pressure and responsibility of caring for yourself.^[32]
   
4. Ask yourself questions. When you are anxious, ask yourself several questions to determine exactly how bad the situation really is. Anxiety can increase the number of outrageous ideas you’re having while asking yourself specific questions that require realistic answers can increase your awareness. Ask yourself questions such as:^[33]
   
   • What is the worst thing that can happen when they draw my blood?
   • Is what I’m worried about realistic? Can it really happen to me?
   • What is the likelihood that the worst thing will happen?
5. Use positive self-talk. You will hear what you say to yourself, even when you don’t think that you do. Talking out loud and repeating that you are strong, can handle the situation, and that nothing bad will happen will help to reduce your feelings of anxiety.^[34]
   

[Edit]Knowing What Happens After a Blood Test

1. Eat a snack. If you were required to fast prior to the blood test, you’ll want to bring a snack for after the test. Also bring a bottle of water and a snack that doesn’t require refrigeration. This will tide you over until you are able to eat a meal.
   
   • Peanut butter crackers, a peanut butter sandwich, a handful of almonds or walnuts, or whey protein are all easy to transport and will give you some protein and calories until you can get a meal.
   • If you forgot to bring anything to eat, ask the staff where you have had blood drawn. They may keep cookies or crackers around for just this purpose.
2. Ask how long you’ll wait for results. Some tests can be finished within 24 hours while others can take a week or more if the blood must be shipped to a special laboratory. Talk with your doctor about the process used to deliver the results of the blood test. In some cases the office will not notify you if the results are all within normal limits. If the blood is sent off, also ask how long it will be before the office gets the results from the laboratory.
   
   • Ask to be notified, even if the results are normal. This will ensure that your results don’t "fall through the cracks" and you aren’t notified if the results are not normal.
   • Call the doctor’s office 36 to 48 hours after the results should have arrived if you are not notified.
   • Ask your doctor’s office if they use an online notification system. You may be given a website to register through so your results can be delivered digitally to you.
3. Know how to react to a bruise. The most common side effect of having blood drawn is a bruise, or hematoma, at the site where the needle went in.^[35] The bruise can show up immediately or within 24 hours after the blood was drawn. Some of the factors that contribute to the formation of a hematoma include blood leaking out of the opening when a needle goes through a vein, which leaks into the surrounding tissue. They can also be caused by bleeding disorders or anticoagulant medications, which increases the risk that a bruise or hematoma will occur where the blood is drawn.^[36]
   
   • If the bruise is painful, wrap some ice in a cloth and hold it against the area for about 10 minutes.^[37]
   • To help reduce the chance that you'll get a bruise, hold firm pressure on the gauze for at least 2 minutes after your blood is drawn.^[38]
   • Hemophilia is the most well-known bleeding disorder, but it is also fairly rare. It comes in two forms - A & B.^[39]
   • Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common bleeding disorder, and affects how your blood clots.^[40]
   • Patients should let their doctor and phlebotomist know they have a bleeding disorder when they get their blood drawn.
4. Ask about a possible result complications. There are certain situations that can lead to inaccurate results on your blood tests. Prolonged tourniquet application can lead to a pooling of blood in the arm or extremity where the blood was being drawn. This increases the concentration of blood and increases the potential for false positive or negative results on the blood tests.^[41]
   
   • The tourniquet should be in place for no longer than one minute to prevent pooling, also called hemoconcentration.
   • If longer than a minute is needed to locate a choice vein, then the tourniquet should be released and reapplied after two minutes and only immediately before the needle is inserted.
5. Discuss hemolysis with the phlebotomist. Hemolysis is a problem with the blood sample and not a complication which you experience. Hemolysis happens when the red blood cells rupture and other components spill into the blood serum.^[42] Hemolyzed blood is not acceptable for testing and another blood sample will have to be drawn.^[43] Hemolysis is more likely to occur when:^[44]
   
   • The tube is mixed vigorously after being removed from the needle.
   • Drawing blood from a vein near a hematoma.
   • Using a smaller needle which damages the cells as they are drawn into the tube.
   • Excessive fist clenching during the blood draw.
   • Leaving the tourniquet on for more than one minute.

[Edit]Tips

• These days, more people are seeing their doctors remotely through video calls, but may labs still require a paper hardcopy of a requisition. If you're getting a blood test, make sure the lab will accept a printed requisition from your doctor, or ask your doctor to send your requisition from the lab.^[45]

[Edit]Video

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bdt
2. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
3. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
4. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
5. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
6. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
7. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
8. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
9. ↑ https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/features/test-prep/
10. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-prepare-for-a-lab-test/
11. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
12. ↑ https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/268790/WHO-guidelines-on-drawing-blood-best-practices-in-phlebotomy-Eng.pdf
13. ↑ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/phlebotomists.htm
14. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
15. ↑ http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/latex-allergy.aspx
16. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
17. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
18. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
19. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
20. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2377960818759442
21. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5665840/
22. ↑ http://www.drugs.com/emla.html
23. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
24. ↑ https://www.aana.com/docs/default-source/aana-journal-web-documents-1/lidocaineinjection0601_p185-187.pdf?sfvrsn=177f48b1_6
25. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/labtest4.html
26. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqSt7wLxCDQ
27. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
28. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/labtest4.html
29. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
30. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response
31. ↑ https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/six-simple-habits-that-defeat-anxiety/
32. ↑ https://screening.mhanational.org/content/my-brain-is-playing-tricks-on-me/
33. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder.htm
34. ↑ http://selfcontrol.psych.lsa.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/KrossJ_Pers_Soc_Psychol2014Self-talk_as_a_regulatory_mechanism_How_you_do_it_matters.pdf
35. ↑ https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/services/laboratory-services/hematoma-care
36. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16788-blood-clotting-disorders-hypercoagulable-states
37. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
38. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.
39. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14083-hemophilia
40. ↑ http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Bleeding.aspx
41. ↑ https://www.labce.com/spg263726_avoid_prolonged_tourniquet_time.aspx
42. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002372.htm
43. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6425048/
44. ↑ https://eclinpath.com/hematology/sample-collection-heme/
45. ↑ [v161311_b01]. 9 November 2020.

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How to Get More Matches on Bumble

Creating a profile on Bumble only to get fewer matches than you had hoped for can be frustrating. Luckily, there are a variety of changes you can make to your profile and app settings to boost your match chances. This wikiHow article will teach you how to match with more people on Bumble.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Use pictures that show your face.

1. Pick photos where you are looking at the camera, not wearing sunglasses, and smiling. Users are often hesitant to swipe on profiles with a partially-obscured face in the first picture. Showing your face lets the person honestly consider if they are attracted to you, removing the guesswork that makes some less likely to like your profile.
   

[Edit]Keep your bio short and interesting.

1. A few engaging words can help catch someone’s eye without boring the reader. There are plenty of prompts you can use to say more about who you are, so do not feel a need to cram everything into your bio.
   

[Edit]Fill out your entire profile.

1. A full profile shows that you are truly interested in getting matches. Additionally, it gives potential matches much more to go off of when deciding if they should like your profile. Something as small as shared music taste or attending a specific school can create a connection between you and a stranger.^[1]
   

[Edit]Link your other social media accounts.

1. This allows users to learn even more about who you are. Linking your Spotify can help interested people understand your personality, and other platforms like Instagram provide more snapshots of your life.
   

[Edit]Increase your match distance.

1. The greater your match radius, the more people you can match with. Start with an increase of just 10 miles, as even that small change can significantly add to the eligible dating pool.
   

[Edit]Include Profile Prompts.

1. Profile Prompts are a great way to showcase your personality. Also, you can include plenty of potential conversation starters in your Prompts so your matches can easily think of a first message.
   

[Edit]Show your profile to a friend of the preferred gender.

1. You look at your profile differently from the people who might want to date you. Asking a friend of your preferred gender to take a look can bring a different perspective to the table.^[2] They can help you figure out what jokes do and do not land, what photos make you look your best, and so on.^[3]
   

[Edit]Verify your account.

1. A verified account shows you are not a catfish and you are invested in finding matches. This alleviates people’s worries about meeting up with someone completely different or even finding themselves in an unsafe situation.
   

[Edit]Use the app regularly.

1. As with most social media, Bumble prioritizes active users. If you only use the app once in a while, your profile will likely be shown to fewer people and perform less well. Additionally, you will receive less matches since you are swiping right on fewer people, decreasing your potential match pool.
   

[Edit]Swipe right on more people.

1. Liking more profiles means a bigger pool of people who might like your profile back. Remember that everyone else has gone through the same profile creation process you have! If you are somewhat attracted to a person and do not see any glaring red flags in their profile, consider swiping right. You can always unmatch if your conversation does not go well.
   

[Edit]Change your profile up.

1. Try editing bits and pieces of your profile, then tracking your matches. If you find that one set of pictures works better than the other, keep those pictures! Do not be afraid to constantly tweak your profile to keep it appealing and up-to-date.^[4]
   

[Edit]Subscribe to premium features.

1. While they cost money, premium features can be a huge help when looking for matches. Bumble has two paid plans, Bumble Boost and Bumble Premium, and they come with abilities like undoing accidental left swipes, unlimited swipes, and SuperSwipes, which send the person a notification and demonstrate strong interest.^[5]
   

[Edit]Delete your account and make a new profile.

1. If your old profile did not work, try using different photos, a different bio, and so on. Deleting and recreating your profile also works as a kind of reset button, showing you profiles you have previously swiped on.
   
   • While Bumble won't ban your account for resetting your profile once, deleting and recreating your profile multiple times might result in a warning from the service.^[6]

[Edit]References

1. ↑ [v161037_b01]. 13 December 2018.
2. ↑ [v161037_b01]. 13 December 2018.
3. ↑ https://onlineforlove.com/bumble-matches/?vid=ufRMUl884c3EBg3uFCh4Fjk651x&n=10wDm2lPZsFi&utm_term=ufRMUl884c3EBg3uFCh4Fjk651x
4. ↑ [v161037_b01]. 13 December 2018.
5. ↑ https://bumble.com/help/what-is-bumble-boost
6. ↑ https://bumble.com/help/am-i-penalized-for-deleting-profile

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How to Deal with Waxing Pain

You love the look and feel of your smooth skin after waxing, right? It's just the pain that you could do without. Still, if you wax regularly, you've probably decided that it beats shaving every day. While we can't completely eliminate the sensation that comes from having hair ripped out of your skin with hot wax, we can give you some tips that will make the experience as painless as possible.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Go to a pro instead of waxing yourself.

1. Professional estheticians are trained to wax with minimal pain. If you try to wax yourself, you're more likely to make mistakes that could result in a more painful experience. Nervousness and hesitation also cause the whole process to be way more painful than it needs to be.^[1]
   
2. Choose an esthetician who uses hard wax. When you book your appointment, ask the esthetician what kind of wax they use. Hard wax is less painful and more efficient than soft wax, which needs to be removed with paper strips.^[2]
   
   • Soft wax is the kind you'll usually get for at-home kits, which is another reason waxing will be less painful if you go to a pro.

[Edit]Time your appointment when your pain threshold is highest.

1. Get waxed later in the afternoon. Your pain threshold is at its highest between 3 and 5 p.m. and at its lowest first thing in the morning. That means the same procedure will hurt less if you get it done in the afternoon.^[3]
   
2. Schedule your appointment in the middle of your menstrual cycle. Your pain threshold is lower during your period and often for a day or two before and after. This is especially true if you're getting waxed along the "bikini line." To keep your waxing as pain-free as possible, avoid that time of the month.^[4]
   

[Edit]Let your hair grow out at least .

1. If your hair is too short (or too long) the wax won't grip it properly. Don't try to wax until your hair is at least to give the wax enough hair to grip onto and pull out cleanly. But don't wait too long! If your hair is more than long, it'll sting more and you won't get a smooth finish.^[5]
   
   • Most pros recommend you get waxed every 4-6 weeks. Hair does grow at different rates, but once you've had a couple of appointments you'll have a good feel for how often you need to schedule them.

[Edit]Exfoliate and moisturize your skin.

1. Use a moisturizing body scrub at least once a week and 2 days before waxing. Body scrubs remove dead skin cells that have built upon the surface of your skin. This helps the wax grip the hair more cleanly for a less painful experience.^[6]
   
   • If your skin is dry on the day of your appointment, massage in a moisturizer in the morning before your appointment in the afternoon. Let it air dry for a few minutes to give it a chance to really soak into your skin.
   • Exfoliating and moisturizing also helps prevent ingrown hairs after waxing, which can be painful in and of themselves.^[7]

[Edit]Drink plenty of water to stay well-hydrated.

1. Hydrated skin is plumper so the hair is easier to remove. Staying well-hydrated is essential for healthy skin in general, but it's even more important on the day of your waxing appointment if you want to minimize pain. Drink lots of water the day of your appointment and steer clear of other beverages that have a dehydrating effect.^[8]
   
   • Caffeine and other stimulants also make your skin more sensitive, which can increase the pain from waxing—so skip your coffee the day of your waxing appointment.^[9]
2. Don't drink alcohol before your waxing appointment. You might think a drink or two will help numb the pain, but alcohol actually has the opposite effect. Drinking dehydrates you, which makes your skin more sensitive.^[10]
   

[Edit]Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever.

1. Pop an anti-inflammatory about 30 minutes before your waxing. It's the inflammation that causes most of the pain from waxing, but an OTC anti-inflammatory will combat that.^[11] Just be sure to take it early enough for it to start working before you get waxed.^[12]
   
2. Apply an anesthetic cream about 30 minutes before your appointment. Anesthetic creams are also available OTC at your local pharmacy. Rub the cream onto your skin like you would any lotion and allow your skin to absorb it.^[13]
   
   • These creams don't work for everybody, so you might still feel some pain. But if you have a really hard time dealing with the pain from waxing, it's worth a shot.

[Edit]Practice deep breathing techniques.

1. Breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. Deep breaths before and during your waxing will relax you, which helps decrease pain. Pay attention to your breath, inhaling slowly, then pausing and exhaling at the same rate.^[14]
   

[Edit]Do what you can to distract yourself.

1. Listen to music or watch a video while getting waxed. Estheticians often have music or television available to help you take your mind off the waxing. If they don't, ask if you can put something on your smartphone to distract you.^[15]
   
   • If you watch the esthetician waxing you, you'll likely anticipate the pain, which will make it hurt more.

[Edit]Avoid heating up your skin after waxing.

1. Wait 6 to 8 hours after waxing before working out. The sweat and heat from a workout can inflame your skin, which can lead to a rash or chafing right after a wax. Your skin will also be more sensitive, so you don't want to subject it to friction or heat.^[16]
   
   • Steam or a hot shower or bath are also likely to inflame your skin post-wax, so wait a day or 2 on those.

[Edit]Tips

• Tell your esthetician if you have a hard time dealing with waxing pain—they'll do everything they can to make the process as comfortable as possible.

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.treatwell.co.uk/treatment-files/8-ways-to-minimise-waxing-pain-we-wish-wed-known-about-before/
2. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-make-hair-removal-less-painful
3. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-make-hair-removal-less-painful
4. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12705527/
5. ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/news/a35246/how-to-make-waxing-painless/
6. ↑ https://www.treatwell.co.uk/treatment-files/how-to-prepare-for-your-first-waxing-appointment-back-at-the-salon/
7. ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/news/a35246/how-to-make-waxing-painless/
8. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-make-hair-removal-less-painful
9. ↑ https://www.treatwell.co.uk/treatment-files/8-ways-to-minimise-waxing-pain-we-wish-wed-known-about-before/
10. ↑ https://www.treatwell.co.uk/treatment-files/8-ways-to-minimise-waxing-pain-we-wish-wed-known-about-before/
11. ↑ [v162088_b01]. 10 March 2022.
12. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/bikini-wax-tips
13. ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/news/a35246/how-to-make-waxing-painless/
14. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-make-hair-removal-less-painful
15. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-to-take-the-pain-out-of-wa
16. ↑ https://www.treatwell.co.uk/treatment-files/waxing-mistakes/

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How to Thicken Whipped Cream

You can mix heavy whipping cream into scrumptious billowing mounds of homemade whipped cream, perfect for topping cakes or ice cream. If you want your whipped cream to last in thick peaks longer than a few hours, stabilize it by adding unflavored gelatin mixed with water or cream of tartar mixed with confectioners' sugar. Both methods will stabilize your whipped cream so that it lasts in thick peaks for up to 24 hours, instead of wilting or melting after just a few hours.

[Edit]Ingredients

[Edit]Stabilizing Whipped Cream with Gelatin

• teaspoons of water
• teaspoon of unflavored gelatin
• of cold heavy whipping cream
• of powdered sugar
• of pure vanilla extract (optional)

[Edit]Stabilizing with Cream of Tartar

• of cold heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
• of confectioners’ sugar
• of pure vanilla extract (optional)
• of cream of tartar

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Stabilizing with Cream of Tartar

1. Refrigerate a carton of heavy whipping cream. Keeping the whipping cream cold will make it hold its shape longer when you whip it. Heavy whipping cream or heavy cream both work great. Whipping cream, with no “heavy” in the title, works too, but it doesn’t hold its peaks for as long, so if you can find it, the heavy stuff is better.^[1]
   
   • You can buy whipping cream in the dairy aisle of the supermarket.
   • To make sure everything’s cold throughout the process, consider putting your bowl and beater in the refrigerator too. They only need to be in there for about 5 minutes to get chilled.^[2]
2. Pour the cold whipping cream. The cream will at least double in volume when you whip it up, so make sure to use a large bowl. If you want to make of whipped cream, start with of heavy cream.
   
   
   • If you want to make plain whipped cream without any sugar or vanilla, then leave them out. The cream will still whip up to a lovely texture, it will just taste less sweet.
3. Whip the cream with a hand mixer until soft peaks form. If you’re using an electric mixer, put it on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes. If you’re using a manual egg beater, move the beater around the bowl to make sure you whip all of the cream.^[3]
   
   
   • If you draw the mixer out, and the cream comes up in a peak, then you know it’s almost done.
4. Pour in the sugar and cream of tartar as you keep whipping. Once the cream has formed into soft peaks, it’s time to incorporate of confectioners’ sugar and of cream of tartar. Gently pour in the sugar and cream of tartar with one hand, and with the other, keep whipping the cream.^[4]
   
   
   • Cream of tartar is a fine white powder that is a byproduct of winemaking. Lots of recipes use it to stabilize or increase volume. You can buy it in the baking aisle of the supermarket.^[5]
   • Confectioners’ sugar generally contains a bit of starch in it, which helps with stabilizing too.^[6]
5. Continue whipping until the cream reaches the desired consistency. You can decide how soft you want your whipped cream to be. Soft peaks are good for eating with berries, and stiffer peaks are great for piping on cakes. Just make sure you don’t overdo it and make butter!^[7]
   
   
   • Add in a of pure vanilla extract if you’d like to lightly flavor the whipped cream.
   • You can tell that you’ve whipped your cream too much if it clings to the sides of the bowl. Don’t despair! Just eat it as tasty homemade butter and start over for your whipped cream.^[8]
6. Eat your whipped cream right away or put it in the refrigerator. Even stabilized whipped cream will lose its shape if it sits out at room temperature for a while, so either eat your whipped cream right away or store it in the refrigerator. Freezing whipped cream isn’t good for its consistency, so try to avoid that.^[9]
   
   • Whipped cream makes a delicious topping for cakes, pies, and ice cream.

[Edit]Stabilizing Whipped Cream with Gelatin

1. Combine water and unflavored gelatin in a microwave-safe bowl. Measure of water into a small microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle of unflavored gelatin into the water. Let it sit for a few minutes.^[10]
   
   
   
   • Make sure that the gelatin is unflavored, or else it will change the taste of the whipped cream.
2. Microwave the mixture for 3 seconds and give it a stir. Check to make sure the gelatin is fully dissolved. If it isn’t, put it back in for a few more seconds. When you take it out, give it a stir.^[11]
   
   
   • Set aside the mixture to let it cool while you whip the cream.
3. Whip of heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer. For best results, start with cold whipping cream. Whip it until it starts to thicken and forms into soft peaks. When you draw a spatula through the cream, it should hold its shape in soft billows.^[12]
   
   
   • You can use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, or a hand mixer that you hold over a bowl.
4. Add the powdered sugar and the gelatin mixture and keep whipping. Once the cream forms soft peaks, pour in the powdered sugar and the gelatin. Turn the mixer to low speed and keep beating until the gelatin and sugar are fully incorporated and the cream forms stiff peaks.^[13]
   
   
   • Add of pure vanilla extract if you'd like.
5. Refrigerate your stabilized whipped cream for up to 24 hours. Unlike regular whipped cream, which deflates after about 3 hours, stabilized whipped cream will hold its shape for a whole day. The gelatin will not affect the flavor or texture, but will make the peaks stay firmer for longer.^[14]
   
   • You can make desserts with stabilized whipped cream in advance and they will stay pretty until you are ready to serve them.

[Edit]References

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Stabilize Whipped Cream
• Store Whipped Cream
• Make Whipped Cream
• Make Chocolate Whipped Cream
• Fix Over‐Whipped Cream

• ↑ https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-whipped-cream/
• ↑ https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/how-to-make-stabilized-whipped-cream/
• ↑ https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-whipped-cream/
• ↑ https://addapinch.com/perfect-whipped-cream-recipe/
• ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-cream-of-tartar-607381
• ↑ https://addapinch.com/perfect-whipped-cream-recipe/
• ↑ https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/how-to-make-homemade-whipped-cream/
• ↑ https://addapinch.com/perfect-whipped-cream-recipe/
• ↑ https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/how-to-make-homemade-whipped-cream/
• ↑ https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/how-to-make-stabilized-whipped-cream/
• ↑ https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/how-to-make-stabilized-whipped-cream/
• ↑ https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/how-to-make-stabilized-whipped-cream/
• ↑ https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/how-to-make-stabilized-whipped-cream/
• ↑ https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/8351-stabilizing-whipped-cream

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