Waxing: prices and pain

If there is a man in town who has seen it all, it's probably John Zeches. He has been an aesthetician, primarily for men, for 10 years. While most people come to him for waxing services, his hair-removal philosophy is on the conservative side. "I usually talk to guys and figure out what they're looking for and then I usually scale it back," he said.

He generally sees clients every five to six weeks, depending on the rate of regrowth. Over time, many people can come less frequently. He schedules regulars in 15-minute intervals, instead of by body part. Here's his rundown of removal services:

Might include lower back, sides and back of arms. Zeches gradually blends in hair so there's not a jarring trim line.

Pain factor (scale of one to 10): 4 or 5 (Sides generally hurt the most.)

These are usually the most painful areas for a man to have waxed. Zeches discourages people from doing it if he thinks it will be excruciating or not have successful results. Best on a very muscular abdomen. He might do patch tests first. As an alternative, Zeches will clip hair, which can add shaded areas of definition -- and is pain-free.

Pain factor: 7

Taking off all of the hair down there.

Men shouldn't have a perfect line below the brow, so Zeches will clean them up above and in between, but might leave a stray hair here and there.

Pain factor: 1 or 2

Usually for cyclists and triathletes.

Pain factor: 5 (Varies; inner thighs usually hurt the most.)

Some men will just do hands and knuckles or toes and feet.

Pretty successful for those with hair on the sides of the ear, but it can grow back quickly. Zeches might tweeze hair from the ear canal but doesn't wax inside the ear.

Pain factor: 3 or 4 for most, but there can be sensitive spots.