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Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. In a Brazilian wax, pubic hair is groomed and removed from the front of the pubic bone, around the external genitals, between the upper thighs, and around the anus. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to remove all hair in the area or leave a small strip of hair in the front.
How is this different from a bikini line wax or bikini full wax? Bikini full waxes include everything in a bikini line wax, as well as hair removal on the front of the pubic bone. You can choose to leave behind a strip, triangle, or square of hair. The Brazilian goes a step further by offering complete pubic hair removal: from the front of the pubic bone to the area underneath, called the perineum, to the anus.
Check in with yourself before the appointment to make sure you’re ready. Gently exfoliate with a buffing mitt or wash cloth a couple of 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. Arrive at least 10 minutes early to your appointment so you can check in and use the bathroom, if needed. 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. 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. 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. 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. If there’s any tenderness, redness or discoloration, apply a hydrocortisone cream or a cool compress.