For most people, getting their first Brazilian wax can be intimidating. However, the awkwardness fades quickly when you know how to prepare for a Brazilian wax. If you don’t know how, it’s ok. Everyone has been there.
If you don’t want to go totally bare, you can leave a bit on your pubic bone in whatever shape you like. A Brazilian bikini wax is the quickest method for a Brazilian bikini line. That’s why we made a list of seven tips for you to follow to get the best waxing experience. The long-lasting and effective results of waxing outweigh shaving and other hair removal methods.
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First-Time Brazilian Wax Tips & Etiquette: What To Do Before A Brazilian Wax
If you’re nervous about your first appointment, we advise you to consider a few things before hopping on the esthetician’s table. At waxing services, you’ll probably get a hard wax application. Unlike soft wax, which uses hot wax and strips as you’d do at home, hard wax digs deeper into the hair follicles and pulls them out faster. Because this area of your body is so sensitive, waxing with the best hard wax will be a less painful method.
1. Shower
When you have a gynecologist appointment, you shower beforehand, clean your intimate area, put on some fresh undies and go to the doctor feeling much more confident. Similarly, take a few minutes to clean yourself up before your first bikini wax appointment. You should use only water and regular soap, not oil-based shower gel. If you can’t shower, you can use wet wipes instead.
Wiping down or showering before your bikini wax can help eliminate odors and excess oils from your body which will make it easier for your esthetician.
Don’t put anything on your skin the day you have your wax appointment.
2. Grow Your Pubic Hair
For the best results, you want the hairs to be a specific length. You should let your hair grow for two to three weeks before the first waxing treatment. Before their first Brazilian waxes, many ladies make a mistake and shave. If your hairs are too short, the wax won’t be able to pick them up. For the best waxing results, your hair shouldn’t be under 5mm, but 6-7mm (¼ inch) will be ideal.
How Long Is 1/4 Inch Hair?
1/4 inch hair is 6.35 mm long, about the length of a grain of rice. If your pubic hair is shorter, that won’t work very well, but neither will much longer hair because it can be more painful. If it grows more, you should start the process again and reschedule your appointment or trim the area carefully, taking care not to cut it too short.
3. Exfoliate The Night Before
Taking a shower an hour before an appointment will be enough, but you should lightly exfoliate the area 24-48 hours before it to remove dead skin cells and moisturize to nourish your skin. It is not recommended to exfoliate right before the appointment.
Exfoliating the area prior to waxing can help prevent ingrown hairs. If they do develop post-wax, avoid picking at them.
4. Loose Clothing & Soft Underwear
Your skin is frequently inflamed and red after a wax. Bring comfortable, loose attire to your bikini wax appointments so you can relax afterwards.
What To Wear To A Brazilian Wax
You should wear some loose cotton underwear and something airy, such as a dress or skirt, sweatpants or a pair of loose-fitting jeans.
Avoid wearing tight clothing or engaging in strenuous activity for the remainder of the day to prevent further irritation or ingrown hairs in the area that has just been waxed.
5. Stay Hydrated
Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine on the day of your bikini wax. Even though it sounds like a good idea for calming your nerves before a Brazilian wax, it is never a good idea because alcohol can make you more sensitive, leading to a much more painful experience with your first Brazilian wax.
6. Take Something For The Pain
Waxing your bikini area can be uncomfortable and painful, especially if it is your first Brazilian wax. You can also take a painkiller which will lessen the pain. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen 30 minutes before your appointment. Don’t worry, the pain will lessen with time.
7. Relax & Breathe
You’ve already saved a lot of stress if you’ve scheduled your first Brazilian wax – you don’t have to worry about applying hot wax yourself. But once you make an appointment, follow our previous steps, then take a deep breath and relax. Relaxing is the best way to prepare for a bikini wax.
Follow the esthetician’s instructions and change positions if they ask you to. It may feel strange, but it’s just to ensure that all the hair is removed.
Brazilian Wax Positioning
You will lie down on your back and bend your knees and your legs open and out, similar to a butterfly position. This will allow you to wax the entire front and the bikini line creases.
There are several positions to wax the butt strip and each esthetician may perform the waxing differently:
- Lying flat on your stomach with your hands reaching back to spread your cheeks for easy access to the esthetician
- Lying on your side with one leg tucked into your stomach and your hand reaching back to spread one cheek
- Lying on your back with your knees tucked into a back roll
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Brazilian Wax?
Brazilian wax is a term for grooming and removing hair from the labia, perineum and anus. Brazilian wax allows you to keep a small landing strip on the frontal pubic region, in the shape of a rectangle, triangle or small oval. All hair from your bikini area and backside is removed.
How Long Should Hair Be For A Brazilian Wax?
Your hair should be 1/4 inches or 6.35 mm in length for a Brazilian wax. Your hair shouldn’t be below 5mm (⅕ inch) or too long because removing it can be painful. For optimal bikini wax results, first wax appointments usually require 2-3 weeks of hair growth. Learning how to prepare for bikini waxes and maintain a bikini line will make hair removal a little more pleasant.
Can Hair Be Too Long To Wax?
Hair can’t be too long to wax, but it will be more complicated and painful than short hair. When you try to wax long hair, it is more likely to break below or above the skin’s surface. If your hair is too long, we recommend trimming any excess hair before going to the salon or shaving and waiting a few weeks for it to grow back.
Should I Trim Before A Brazilian Wax?
You should trim pubic hair before a Brazilian wax to three-quarters of an inch, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). If the hairs in the bikini area are under 5mm (⅕ inch), they will not adhere to the wax for removal. Always make sure to trim any longer hairs before your Brazilian waxing appointment.
How Much Do You Tip For A Brazilian Wax?
You should tip 15%-20% of the full price. It is the industry’s standard that a tip will depend on how satisfied you are with the service and the wax itself. The price will vary greatly depending on the salon you visit and whether you combine it with another service. So, instead of focusing on the average tips for bikini waxes, consider a percentage of the total cost.
Conclusion
A full bikini wax is very common nowadays, but many women still don’t know how to prepare for a Brazilian wax. Following our tips, you’ll get smoother skin without ingrown hair and itchiness and say goodbye to annoying hairs. Knowing all of that can make waxing a part of your routine and ensure a satisfying wax experience.
