the pain caused by waxing is minimal and very very temporary. it lasts as long as it takes to rip off the strip. and then for maybe a day after, i stay away from stuff like.. riding a bike or having sex. the skin gets a little tender.
and compared to the pain of ingrown hairs, razor burn and itching caused by shaving, it's not bad at all.
andddd. the best part, you don't have little prickly pubies growing back an hour after you shave.

NEVER go swimming until your pores heal.
they will get infected and you'll get ugly little white head zitty things.

and always leave a nice tip for your aesthetician ;).
she'll treat you well.