The dreaded bikini wax. Most people have misconceptions about what really goes on down there.
Why wax vs. shave? Waxing removes the hair from the root, and creates silky smooth results. Consistent waxing can lead to a reduced density of hair over time. Once hairs are removed via waxing a brand new hair grows back, soft and tapered. Hair re-growth after shaving results in blunt, pokey hairs that can be itch and more readily grow back under the skin creating unsightly inflamed ingrown hairs.
A typical Brazilian waxing service lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your technicians level of experience. The long lasting results of a Brazilian wax, far out weigh the short-lived discomfort some may experience during the procedure. The majority of my clients happily remark that the discomfort was much less than they had initially expected.
Here are some waxing guidelines, so that you can achieve the best possible results.
Pre-Service Recommendations:
1) Ask questions! When booking your appointment, make sure to ask the following questions:
How much experience do you have? (1+ years is advised)
How long will the appointment take? (less than an hour is ideal)
What kind of wax do you use? (You want hard wax! The brand doesn’t really matter.)
2) Wait 4 weeks between waxing sessions. This is best due to the hair growth cycles. If you wax before or after this time frame you won’t have the smoothest and longest lasting results. If you have shaved it is necessary to wait 3 weeks before your first waxing.
3) Exfoliate. This will help to get any sneaky hairs that may be growing under the skin loose, so that they may be more readily removed with the wax.
4) To trim or not to trim. If your hair is longer than a ¼ inch - ½ inch you should trim it. If you must trim a safe guideline is to “pinch it”. Actually grab your hair with your thumb and pointer finger. Everything on the outside of the two fingers should be trimmed.
5) What’s your style? Getting a Brazilian wax does not mean you have to take EVERYTHING off. You can leave what I like to call a “maturity patch”, typically in the shape of a V or rectangle. However, I’ve had people get creative and try a heart or a star shape if you like to walk on the wild side.
Post-service Care:
1) Not Hot! Hot tubs, saunas, sunbathing, and strenuous workouts may cause inflammation and irritation of the skin. Make sure to keep the area cool and dry for the first 24 hours (showering is ok).
2) Exfoliate. Yep, here it is again. It’s really important. Wait 24 hours post wax, and then scrub like crazy. My favorite tool is exfoliation gloves. You can squirt your body wash directly into them then with vigorous circular motions scrub the bikini area. This will help to reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs are caused by skin growing over the hair follicle trapping it under the skin. Exfoliation helps to remove that skin so that the hair may grow unhindered and without the unsightly bumps.
3) Call your esthetician if you have ingrown hairs. DO not remove them yourself! You can cause serious infection.
4) Reschedule every 4 weeks, and book your next appointment before you leave.