Ask any woman who loves to get a bikini wax why she does so and she’ll tell you it’s because she loves to have a cleanly-shaven pubic region. Sure waxing makes your pubic area appealing, but the process is never easy.
Be prepared to go through pains and feel uncomfortable especially if you’ve never had one before.
But there’s light after the tunnel: the results of this procedure will make you forget the stress. And when you rock your bikini to the beach or pool, you’ll have no reason to feel uncomfortable baring your bikini line.
Do you cringe when you feel hair around your pubic area? If yes, a bikini wax is what you need to clear those hairs off.
Come with me as I show you how to prepare for a painless waxing session.
What Really is a Bikini Wax?
It’s a process that involves removing hair from areas seen outside a bathing suit or underwear to prevent it from peeking out. Many people mistake Brazilian wax for bikini wax. Though they are related, they aren’t the same.
Let’s look at the differences.
Brazilian Wax vs. Bikini Wax: What are the Differences?
While bikini waxing removes hair around the sides of your pubic area, Brazilian wax completely takes every hair off your entire pubic region whether at the sides, front, or back.
In some cases, Brazilian wax also includes a butt strip. That is, waxing hair in between the buttocks. It’s your best bet if you want your pubic bone, labia, upper thighs, and anus to be hairless.
Furthermore, Bikini wax is way less painful than Brazilian wax because it only removes hair around the bikini line. And while the former takes a short time, you’ll most likely spend several hours when having a Brazilian wax session.
Also, you don’t have to take off your underwear for bikini waxing. But for a Brazilian wax, you have to pull off your panties.
How to Prepare for a Bikini Wax
1. Let Your Hair Grow Out
You can’t have a bikini wax if the hair around your bikini line isn’t long enough. You need to let the hair grow to at least ¼ inch long or around the size of a grain of rice, before going for a wax session.
This is because the wax must adhere to your pubic hair to successfully pull everything out from the root.
If the wax doesn’t adhere correctly, your hair may break in half or may not even pull out at all. The worst is that you may also have an ingrown hair or skin irritation.
But when your hair has grown out, waxing will be easier. And even when your hair grows back, they’ll all grow at the same length and time.
2. Don’t Shave
If your hair grows too much before your wax appointment, and you think shaving some off will be a great idea, please leave that thought.
Shaving before waxing will do more harm than good.
Remember, you need your hair long so the wax easily adheres to it and pulls everything out. So, don’t shave before waxing even if it’s two or three weeks earlier. Instead, let the hair grow so the waxing process will be easier.
3. Ensure You’re Not on Your Period
If you go waxing when you’re on your period, both you and the wax expert will be uncomfortable. So, go when everywhere is free and clear. It’s more hygienic that way.
4. Exfoliate & Moisturize
Ridding the skin of dead skin cells and moisturizing helps prep it for waxing. They also prevent bumps and ingrown hairs from popping up post-wax.
Hear it from Noemi Grupenmager, founder and CEO of Uni K Wax Center:
“If the skin is dry, rough, and cracked, the hair could break off rather than being removed completely, and the regrowth will appear faster than if the skin was healthy and moisturized.”
Noemi Grupenmager
So exfoliate and moisturize to keep your skin nourished. You can do this with a sugar scrub or a chemical exfoliant. To know more about removing dead skin cells, read our guide on how to exfoliate properly.
5. Apply Numbing Cream
Waxing is a painful procedure. But you can make it less painful by applying products that contain lidocaine before waxing. They temporarily numb your bikini region and prevent pain.
6. Take a Painkiller
Marta Camkiran, Esthetician at Haven Spa, advises you to take a painkiller two hours before your wax session. It helps reduce skin inflammation and pain.
And even after waxing, take drugs like Advil or Ibuprofen as pain relief.
7. Choose an Expert Practitioner
Waxing with the wrong person will not only lead to regrets but also complications. So, ask family and friends for referrals.
Also, you should do your research by reading the reviews of the wax salon or practitioners you find before going to them. And only go to the spa or waxing salon whose services you trust.
8. Don’t Show up in Tight Clothes
Don’t show up to your wax appointment in tight clothes. This is because your skin will be sensitive after waxing and any constricting clothing can cause skin irritation.
So, wear loose clothes. You can even go commando (without underwear) for more comfort.
9. Be Prepared to Feel Pains
Don’t go for your bikini wax appointment thinking it’s gonna be a fun experience. You’ll feel pains as the practitioner will be pulling your hair right from the roots in your body. Expect to groan or frown while at it.
10. Expect a Little Bleeding
Your hair follicles are connected to blood vessels. This means there might be a little bleeding when the waxer pulls your hair out, especially if it’s your first time.
Have this in mind so you don’t get taken by surprise when you notice blood.
The best part about waxing is that the more wax sessions you have, the less you wax. In other news, waxing regularly will soften your skin and make your hair grow scantily, thus reducing your need for a bikini wax.
Use these tips when preparing for a waxing appointment so it doesn’t come off too painful.
