Brazilian Bikini Waxing 101 

Frequently Asked Questions. 

Are there any benefits?

Absolutely. Outside of a smoother bikini region, waxing is a form of deep exfoliation.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this type of physical exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the top layer of skin to promote collage production and her increase the efficacy of topical products.

This style of hair removal is also one of the least irritating to the skin.

If done properly, waxing is less likely to cause an unwanted rash, bumps, or other irritation than using an epilator or shaving.

The biggest benefit ? Waxing pulls out hair from the root. This creates a smaller follicle which makes your hair grow back weaker, softer, and thinner than before.

This means that, over time, you’ll have less hair to groom — and the hair that remains will be more manageable.

Are there any side effects ?

As with any other form of hair removal, waxing has some potential side effects.

You may notice redness or bumps immediately after your wax — this is incredibly common and should subside within the next 24 hours.

To help with the healing process, you can apply lotions or serums made for the pubic region. These can also help prevent any ingrown hairs.

If you’re not used to pubic hair removal, you may also experience some itchiness but it shouldn't be major. You can apply a thin layer of Aloe Vera gel. 

Resist the urge to scratch! This could cause further irritation or micro-tears in the skin, and you definitely don’t want that. This is why we recommend that you avoid the gym and sex for 24 hours.

Can you get waxed if…?

Interested in getting a Brazilian but unsure if it’s the right move? There are a few things to consider, depending on your circumstances.

You’re on your period

You may want to consider rescheduling your appointment. When you’re menstruating, the skin around your pubic bone becomes a little more sensitive and you’re more prone to cramping.

If you’re still down to get waxed, make sure you wear a tampon or reusable cup to your appointment. Most professionals won’t wax if you’re using a pad or free flowing.

You’re pregnant

You may want to check with your doctor if you’re in the last trimester. Otherwise, you’re probable in the lea. Just keep in mind that your hormones are changing and this could affect your pain tolerance.

You have genital piercings or tattoos

If you have a tattoo, waxing can actually help exfoliate the area and make your ink appear more prominent.

When it comes to genital piercings, your wax technician will likely ask for you to remove your stud. If you’re unable to remove the piercing, they will simply work around the area. Just know that you might have a few stray hairs near the piercing.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t get a wax?

Your skin might be more sensitive if you’re taking antibiotics, hormone replacements, or hormonal birth control.

You can probably still get waxed, but you should check with your doctor to be sure.

You should also check in with your doctor if you’re taking oral acne medications, such as Accutane, or using topical retinoids, such as Retin-A.

These medications weaken the skin barrier through chemical exfoliation, and waxing could result in painful overexfoliation.

Radiation and chemotherapy can also lead to an uptick in skin sensitivity and dryness, so waxing may not be the most comfortable hair removal method.

How painful is it?

It’s not a walk in the park, that’s for sure. It really depends on what your individual pain tolerance is.

The first appointment is usually the worst in terms of pain, so keep this in mind. The second appointment may feel drastically different.

As a general rule, hard waxes tend to hurt less than soft waxes.

If you’re worried about pain levels, try finding a salon that uses hard waxes.

How do you find a reputable salon?

Do your research! Look up salons in your area and see which ones have the best reviews.

You’ll also want to make sure your salon doesn’t double dip applicators or skip out on wearing gloves.

Reputable salons will usually have you fill out a client questionnaire or do a quick consultation to get to know you and your health history beforehand.

If anything, talk to your friends and see where they’ve gone. Sometimes, word of mouth is the best way to figure out where go.

What should you do before your appointment?

Check in with yourself before the appointment to make sure you’re ready. You should:

• Make sure your hair is at least ¼-inch long — about the size of a grain of rice. If it’s longer than ½ inch, you may want to trim it slightly so the wax is able to grip better.
• Gently exfoliate with a gentle exfoliating clothe, a couple days before your appointment to help prevent ingrown hairs.
• Avoid tanning for at least 24 hours before your appointment, as this can cause the skin to be more sensitive.
• Cut down on alcohol and caffeine the day of your appointment. Both can cause your pores to tighten and make waxing more painful.
• Wear breathable, cotton underwear or loose bottoms to your appointment for maximum comfort.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever about 30 minutes before your appointment to help lessen pain.

What happens during the appointment?

Your first appointment will probably take around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much hair you have and how much you want to get removed during your session.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Your wax technician will ask you to get undressed from the waist down and hop up on the table.
• Before the technician does anything, they’ll likely ask you for your preferences. Let them know if you want a bikini line wax, bikini full, full Brazilian, or any strips of hair left.
• Next, the tech will do some cleansing to ensure that the wax has a clean surface to stick to.
• Once the area is clean, they’ll go in with a pre-wax treatment, usually an oil or powder, to ensure that the skin is protected.
• Then, the waxing! Depending on the type of wax, your technician will either use paper or cloth to remove your hair. Smaller strips might be used underneath and around the anus while larger strips will be used on the front of the pubic bone.
• If the technician misses any hairs, they’ll clean it up with tweezers.
• Finally, they’ll rejuvenate the area with a serum or cream to soothe irritation and prevent any ingrown hairs.

When you go to pay, make sure to tip at least 20 percent. This is the standard for most salons.

What should you keep in mind immediately after your appointment?

Immediately after your appointment, make sure that you’re treating the area with a little more TLC than normal:

• If there’s any tenderness or redness, apply a hydrocortisone cream or a cool compress.
• Avoid sexual activity for at least 24 hours. This will give any micro-tears time to heal before engaging in any genital-to-genital contact.
• Avoid strenuous activity, like a medium- or high-impact workout class, and soaking in water for at least 24 hours. A shower is fine, but a bath might cause irritation.
• Avoid tanning for at least 24 hours afterward. The deep exfoliation can make the pubic area more susceptible to sun damage.

• Resist the urge to shave or otherwise remove any stubble or errant hairs that pop up. This removal can increase the risk of ingrown hairs before your next waxing appointment.

What can you do to minimize ingrown hairs and other bumps?

Ingrown hairs are a major pain — no pun intended.

To help prevent any from popping up, do a gentle exfoliation a few days before your appointment.

Steer clear from harsh physical or chemical exfoliants. All you need for a gentle exfoliation is a washcloth.

If you end up with ingrown hairs, don’t pick! This will only cause further irritation and potential scarring.

Instead, apply a bikini-safe treatment like fur Ingrown Concentrate or Anthony Ingrown Hair Treatment to help heal, soothe, and repair the skin around the trapped hair.

How long will the results last?

This depends on how fast your hair grows and how dark your hair is.

Typically, it lasts around three to four weeks. Once the hair is at least ¼-inch long, you can go in for another wax.

In the meantime, be careful to resist shaving — it can lead to more itchiness, irritation or ingrown hairs.

If you stick to a monthly waxing schedule, you’ll likely find that waxing becomes easier and less painful over time.

If you don’t keep up with a schedule, you’ll disrupt the hair growth cycle and have to start from scratch all over again. Unfortunately, this means it will be more painful the next time you go.

The bottom line

When it comes to bikini waxes, a Brazilian might not be the most comfortable, but it could be the perfect fit for your lifestyle.

The most important thing to remember is that if you don’t enjoy your wax, there’s no requirement to keep doing it.

Talk too your esthetician on the day of your appointment about the different methods until you find the one that works best for you.