All your Brazilian wax questions answered!
Body hair removal is a matter of personal preference, especially when it comes to the most private areas. Summertime makes many of us curious about different hair removal techniques, although it’s essential to keep in mind that you should never feel obligated to get rid of hair just because it seems like a thing “everyone” does – it’s always your choice and all decisions are valid!
When we have that matter settled, let’s take a deep dive into the topic of Brazillian hair removal, known also as Brazillian waxing – what is it, what areas does it include, how should you prepare for it and what can you expect from your first appointment.
Table of Contents
What is a Brazilian wax?
“Brazillian wax”, sometimes referred to as “Brazillian bikini”, is a hair removal technique that involves grooming and removing pubic hair by using hot or cold wax.
What does a Brazilian wax include?
Traditionally, a Brazilian wax includes removing hair from the pubic bone, around the external genitals, between the upper thighs and around the anus, leaving a small strip of hair at the front. You can also ask for a so-called “full Brazillian wax” where every single strand of hair is removed from your frontal pubic area.
However, some hair removal businesses define the service slightly differently, making a distinction between “bikini wax”, “French wax”, “Brazillian wax” and “Hollywood wax”. Going by these, “bikini wax” is defined as getting rid of hair on the panty line and across the top. “French wax” is essentially the same as “Brazillian wax” but leaves out the buttock area, while “Hollywood wax” leaves you entirely bare, making it synonymous with “full Brazillian”. It’s crucial to always check whether the salon you are planning to visit has the same definition of the service as you do – if you are not sure, ask the waxing specialist before making your appointment.
How long does a Brazilian wax take?
It’s a fairly quick process, taking around half an hour at most. Your first appointment will probably be the longest one, with waxing itself taking around 30 minutes, but the next ones may be as short as 15 minutes.
How long does a Brazilian wax last?
It’s very personal, as our hair growth cycles are different, but in general, you will probably see some minimal hair growth during the first and second week after the appointment, and then more noticeable in the third and fourth. A perfect moment to get your next appointment, if you want to maintain the effects, would be around the fourth and fifth week after the initial waxing.
Is Brazilian wax for men different somehow?
Not really – it’s exactly the same procedure as with women’s Brazilian wax. It includes removing hair from the frontal area, scrotum, perineum and anal region, leaving only the traditional “landing strip” above the shaft area (although you can opt for a full-on removal). There are fewer salons that offer waxing services for men, as there are statistically fewer clients interested in such a service, but you can surely find them using Booksy.
How can one prepare for a Brazilian wax?
One of the most frequently asked questions is “okay, what should I do before a Brazilian wax to make things easier for myself”? First of all, find a trustworthy salon. Remember that this is a service which involves working with the most sensitive areas of your body and going full-on nude, so you want to feel at ease during your appointment, knowing that the service provider is a professional. Fortunately, you can find the best waxing services near you on Booksy – our portal allows you to check service menus, prices and most importantly, genuine reviews of the listed businesses, making it easy to choose the perfect place. Furthermore, after you have decided, simply book your appointment online with just a few clicks.
When your appointment is booked, you can start prepping your body!
- Let your hair grow a little – preferably so that it is about the size of a grain of rice. If it’s much longer, try to trim it a little bit.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing, especially when it comes to underwear – it should be breathable and made of cotton.
- Do not sunbathe with the waxing area exposed before the appointment! It will make the skin much more sensitive.
- Try to avoid both alcohol and caffeine on the day of your appointment. Although it may seem like a good idea for numbing the pain, it’s actually quite the opposite – your pores will tighten, making your skin more sensitive.
- It’s not absolutely necessary, but you can exfoliate your skin with a washcloth a few days prior to your appointment – it helps with ingrown hair and getting a cleaner removal.
- If you are concerned about the pain, you can take an over-the-counter painkiller around half an hour before the appointment.
- Do not shave beforehand! Do not touch the razor for at least a week before the waxing.
- Take a nice, warm (not hot!) shower an hour before the appointment.
How long should hair be for Brazilian wax?
As mentioned earlier, ideally you want your hair to be around ¼-inch long, up to ½ inch – around the size of a grain of rice. If it goes above that, you can try to trim it, but do not shave it.
Does a Brazilian wax hurt?
It can be painful. It really depends on your personal pain tolerance, the experience varies from mildly uncomfortable to regretting all your life’s choices. The good news is that it gets easier over time – your first appointment is usually the most painful, while the next ones gradually get more and more bearable. It happens because your hair after waxing gets softer, as opposed to coarse after-shave strands.
If you are concerned about the pain being too much for you to handle, take an over-the-counter painkiller around half an hour before the appointment.
What does a Brazilian wax look like?
If you are a first-timer, you may be a little concerned about what the procedure looks like in practice.
- You will arrive for your appointment and will be taken to a private area, where you will be alone with your waxing specialist.
- You will be asked for your preferences and expectations, finally settling for the type of wax you want. This is a good moment to share all your concerns and ask questions!
- You will be asked to strip down below your waist and lay on a table.
- Your wax technician will gently cleanse the waxing areas, giving the wax a clean area to attach to. Then, they will probably apply an oil or a powder that will protect your skin from pressure.
- Then the specialist will start applying wax – either cold or comfortably hot, depending on the method you have chosen. You will be asked to take a few different positions, such as spread eagle, turning on your side with one leg straight and the other pulled to the side and embryonic. If you get uncomfortable at any point you simply ask the service provider for a break and they will do everything in their power to make the appointment easier for you!
- After the waxing, the technician may use tweezers to get rid of some stubborn singular strands of hair that survived the process.
- Finally, they will apply some cream, serum and/or powder to the freshly waxed areas, soothing the skin and preventing ingrown hair.
Is there some specific Brazilian wax etiquette I should know about?
As with every other treatment, you should be respectful and polite towards your service provider, that’s for sure. Surely, being half-naked in front of a stranger may feel a little awkward for you, especially if it’s your first appointment, however, keep in mind that the person doing the waxing is a professional – they’ve seen and worked with a lot of clients before you. They do not judge your body, your private areas or your pubic hair and they want you to be as comfortable as possible.
Do not, under any circumstances, make any sexual remarks – it’s very inappropriate and you can be refused service if you do so. At the same time, it is a well-known fact that men getting the Brazillian wax done sometimes experience an accidental, non-sexual erection and that’s not anything to be ashamed of. Your wax technician, if they are trained to provide a male Brazilian wax, are fully aware that this happens and will not be awkward about it.
On the final note – make sure to take the shower around an hour before the waxing, especially if it is summertime! It will make things more comfortable for both you and the service provider.
What should Brazilian wax aftercare look like?
- Listen to your wax technician’s advice first and foremost! They will surely give you some tips after you are done with the treatment.
- Take it easy for the rest of the day. Your skin is new, sensitive and prone to bacterial infections, so keep wearing loose, breathable, cotton underwear and avoid excessive sweating.
- When taking a shower after the procedure, use lukewarm water and very gentle lotions.
- Wait 24-48 hours before any intense workout session, going to the beach, visiting a pool, sauna or a hot tub.
- Do not sunbathe right after the appointment and make sure to apply sunscreen to the waxed areas going forward!
- Keep (gently!) exfoliating and moisturizing the waxed area, and make sure to act quickly if you see some serious irritation developing.
Can I experience irritation after a Brazilian wax?
Yes, it may happen, especially if you fail to prepare for the waxing and/or skip on the aftercare.
The most common side effects experienced after a Brazilian wax are:
- Bumps and pimples, usually followed by ingrown hair
- Redness and inflammation of the skin
- Pain and/or itching
More rare side effects include:
- Burns
- Bruising
- Rash
- Contact dermatitis
- Abrasions
- Hyperpigmentation
- Folliculitis (bacterial skin infection resulting from follicle damage)
After the service you can find yourself feeling kinda tired and slightly under the weather – mild inflammation of the follicles, which you are almost sure to develop, can also drain into your lymph nodes. Furthermore, very rarely people undergoing Brazillian waxing experience vasovagal response, an overreaction of the organism to pain or another trigger, which causes your heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly. Its symptoms are drowsiness, nausea, paleness, lightheadedness and rapid heart rate. It usually lasts a couple of minutes and does not lead to any serious consequences (until, of course, you have some underlying medical condition, especially of a cardiac nature).
If you are concerned about the possible side effects, talk with your dermatologist and/or GP before proceeding with the waxing.
Can you do Brazilian wax at home?
We discourage you from trying to DIY your Brazilian wax, especially if you are a first-timer with no prior experience working with this method. Yes, it’s possible to just Google search how to do Brazilian wax at home and try to follow the guide step-by-step, but it can have disastrous consequences. Keep in mind that even when done by a professional, Brazilian waxing can be quite painful and comes with a certain risk of side effects. You are working with the most sensitive areas of your body, if something goes astray (especially with hot wax), you are up for a horrible time, possibly with long-lasting consequences. Out of all treatments you can do at home, a Brazilian wax is definitely one you should leave to professionals.
How much does a Brazilian wax cost in the UK?
As always, the exact price will depend on where you live, but on average, the price of a Brazilian is about £35.00.
If you are planning to book your very first Brazillian wax session, you can check the pricing, reviews and all other information on Booksy and then make an appointment online. The smooth skin for summertime is just a click away!
