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What is Brazilian Wax? And Should You Get One?
People have been curious about everything related to all things beauty. With growing numbers of people experimenting with various hair removal methods, Brazilian wax is getting a lot of attention.
Despite its popularity as a hair removal technique, a Brazilian wax isn’t exactly a standard dinner-table topic. If you’re someone who’s been curious about Brazilian waxing, this one’s for you!
What is Brazilian Wax?
Brazilian refers to a full-blown waxing down there. A Brazilian wax removes hair all throughout your bikini area, including those between your belly button, panty line, top of your pubic bone, butt, upper thighs, and strands along the labia.
Not only that, Brazilian wax can be used to decorate your intimate skin. Just ask your salon aestheticians to leave a small strip of hair depending on your preferred style. (You can even request a heart-shaped landing strip!)
Invented in the 1990s by J Sisters, Brazilian wax first conquered the United States. Due to its popularity among celebrities and prominent female personalities, the wax craze traveled overseas. The popularity of Brazilian bikini waxing also comes with its quick way to smooth things out below the waist.
What’s the Difference Between Bikini Wax and Brazilian Wax?
The concept of a bikini wax has already been familiar to most of us. Bikini line wax is when a salon esthetician uses hot wax to remove hair that would be visible if one did wear a bikini bottom.
Brazilian, on the other hand, is essentially the same thing — just removing more pubic hair in your intimate areas. You can also go completely bare or leave a small triangle strip of hair on top of your skin. A Brazilian wax is a way to go if you want an absolutely clean shave in your pubic area.
How do Brazilian Waxes Work?
Other than your bikini line that’s being waxed and the yoga positions you have to get into, a full Brazilian wax is just like any other wax treatment.
Are you new to Brazilian waxing? Here’s what you can expect during your first Brazilian wax session:
- Before you begin the session, discuss with your esthetician whether you want a landing strip on your skin or to be completely bare. You can also talk about your pain tolerance.
- The waxer will lead you to your room and instruct you to remove your undergarments. (Don’t be embarrassed about your private parts; your waxer has seen it all!)
- Powder will be applied by your waxer to prevent the wax from sticking to your skin.
- Waxing begins at the front and moves towards the back. You may be asked to assist in holding areas that the wax technician cannot reach.
- The technician will dip a wooden stick into the wax pot and apply it to your skin using either a soft wax or a hard wax to remove hairs. (Hard wax is recommended for this method, but it still depends on your waxer.)
- The salon esthetician will pull the strip wax in the opposite direction of your hair growth. This quick motion will remove the hair from the root. This process will be repeated until you are completely hair-free.
- Because this is a Brazilian wax, you may be asked to turn over and lie on your stomach or kneel on the table to remove hair from your buttocks. (Don’t be embarrassed if you’re asked to hold your cheeks apart.)
- After the main wax procedure, the esthetician may use a tweezer to pluck any stray hairs from your private area.
- Finally, the technician will apply a soothing cream to your waxed area to protect your skin.
Be extra careful and watch out for double dipping! A double dip occurs when a wax stick is placed on your skin and then dipped in the wax pot again. To avoid double dipping, ensure that your technician replaces the stick once it comes into contact with your skin. (Or simply avoids allowing the wax stick to come directly in contact!)
The entire process takes about 10 minutes to an hour, depending on your condition. So, while you may experience pain, it will be over soon enough.
Is Brazilian Wax Very Painful?
To answer this question, it depends on your pain tolerance. However, it may be extremely painful for first-time waxers. As wax adheres to the hair root, it also takes the top layer of skin as well, which causes more pain.
If you want to make your experience less painful, the only key you got is to keep getting it. As hair weakens and some even stop growing back, waxing becomes less painful.
As previously stated, getting a Brazilian takes around a few minutes to an hour, so know that the light at the end of the tunnel is close at hand.
How Long Does Brazilian Wax Last?
A Brazilian wax, just like other typical hair removal methods, usually lasts three to six weeks. Depending on how much hair grows, you will notice hair creeping out sooner or later than expected.
Since waxing removes all the hair from the roots, growth is usually slower than regular shaving. Shaving, on the other hand, lasts for an average of three to seven days.
Prepare for Your Wax Session
Waxing needs forward-planning to ensure a safe and less painful experience. Here are some of the ways to prepare yourself before the d-day:
Set your Schedule
Schedule your appointment before your monthly period. As there will be more blood flow in your pubic area during your menstrual cycle, your skin will be super sensitive.
But, what if your period comes during your waxing session? Worry not, because you can absolutely wax while on your period! (Although you may experience more pain.)
If you have questions or concerns about your first waxing session, you can speak with your esthetician or education manager before your appointment to provide you with a complete process of waxing down there. Your waxer will help you feel confident and comfortable.
Let Your Pubic Hair Grow!
Since Brazilians remove all of your hair down there, one important thing to remember is your current hair growth. Let your hair grow accordingly since you may feel more discomfort if it is shorter than the recommended length.
If you are removing your hair with a razor, you should stop shaving and wait for at least three to four weeks before getting waxed.
Prep with Pre Wax Oil
Since we have sensitive skin down there, prepping your skin with wax oil will help get rid of the skin’s dirt, sweat, oils, and bacteria. Not only does oil protect the skin, but also serves as a ‘magnet’ for the wax, causing it to stick to the hair itself rather than the skin.
Wear loose-fitting clothes
Wearing loose clothing is recommended to make your session easier and more comfortable. Before your appointment, prepare your loose undergarments and avoid harsh and abrasive clothing. Your skin, even your technician, will thank you after.
But before wearing one, don’t forget to wash your intimate area thoroughly before your appointment. (Bonus tip: Dip in a warm shower to help open your pores.)
Aftercare
Now that you achieved a hair-free aesthetic down there, you will need to know how to maintain smooth and soft skin for a longer period of time. Here are some of the things you should do after getting waxed:
Don’t Scratch!
As much as you would like to feel your newly waxed pubic region, you may want to skip touching and scratching it in the meantime. Since your bikini line is such a sensitive area, you must be careful to avoid further irritation.
Apply Cortisone Cream
Many will observe small and red bumps on the skin after waxing. Since hair is removed from your body, applying cortisone cream after waxing may help relieve inflammation and swelling. Religiously apply a soothing cream to avoid further irritation, especially for people with super sensitive skin.
Exfoliate to Prevent Ingrown Hairs
A few days after getting waxed, practice weekly exfoliation to remove the dead skin that would get trapped in the hair follicles, preparing to be ingrown hairs. Just make sure to give your skin time to recover before beginning an exfoliation regimen to avoid pain and discomfort.
Weekly exfoliation promotes fine hairs to grow back through the skin and stops them from developing into those annoying ingrown hairs.
Avoid Sweaty Activities
Hair follicles remain open for several hours after getting waxed, so avoid any contact with any moisture and sweat for at least 24 hours. That being said, don’t take shower with hot water and avoid sweating out after getting waxed. (Yes, it includes sexual activity!)
Final Note
Let’s get things straight: Body hair is completely normal. There’s no right or wrong way to handle your pubic hair, and what you choose to do (or not to do) with your body is personal. Getting rid of and trimming your hair is a choice you make for yourself.
If you don’t want hair covering your intimate area, you can say goodbye to rough shaving and start getting a full Brazilian wax.
Waxing isn’t just a popular hair removal method. While appearance is one of the primary reasons why people enjoy Brazilian waxes, getting a Brazilian also exfoliates your skin and removes dead skin cells.
You can also give yourself a DIY Brazilian wax at home with the available waxing kit at the market. Make sure to know the safety tips and tricks in removing hair at home to avoid complications and irritations. That being said, it is still recommended to try Brazilian waxing at the local salon near you.
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