The Art of Pampering; A Thorough Bikini Wax Guide!
It’s bikini season! Are you interested in wearing a bikini this summer but you’d like to remove unwanted hair first? A wax might be what’s best for you! A wax is the way to go when looking for a sleek and quick hair removal process. Some people have never gotten waxed before and are unsure what a wax entails. Here are some of your frequently asked questions about Brazilian waxes answered here:
What are the benefits to waxing?
Waxing is one of the best hair removal techniques. Waxing is also one of the safest ways to remove hair from your bikini area. Waxing can decrease regrowth and lessen the chance of ingrown hairs forming. Unlinke shaving, after a wax, once the hair starts growing back, it doesn’t itch. Waxing is quick and pulls the hair straight from the follicle, making the regrowth process take longer. A wax lasts a very long time. It doesn’t leave any cuts, causes the hair to grow back slower and finer, is essentially an exfoliation for the skin, which leaves the skin feeling extremely smooth and decreases the growth overtime.
What are the pros and cons of waxing?
The cons of waxing is that it is more painful than shaving, hot wax can burn the skin if the temperature isn’t checked before being applied to the skin, which causes more redness and irritation. The pros of waxing is that it makes the area smooth, lasts long, no ingrown hairs, the hair grows back fine, the skin looks brighter and feels softer and is quick. A wax is suitable for all skin types and skin tones. Waxing is not only removing hair, but dead skin cells too, which is basically exfoliating the skin. Waxing opens the pores which is beneficial for products to be absorbed into the skin post wax.
What’s the difference between waxing and shaving?
Shaving and waxing are both different ways to remove hair. They both have similarities but a few differences as well. Waxing lasts longer because the hair is pulled from the follicle and it causes less ingrown hairs and is faster and more efficient than shaving. Waxing is typically done by a professional and doesn’t need to be done frequently. Shaving can cause itching, razor burn, itching and ingrown hairs. Shaving can be done at home and can be removed from multiple parts of the body. The hair is only pulled from the surface and not the root. After a while shaving can become expensive when having to buy new razors. Shaving can also be a hazard if the blades aren’t properly cleaned and can cause infection.
What can you expect when going to get waxed?
When you first go to get your bikini area waxed, you can expect your esthetician to make sure the hair is an appropriate length and long enough to be waxed, and if too long it will be trimmed. Then, the area will be cleansed before the wax is applied. Next, the wax will be warmed up, and the esthetician will test the temperature of the wax in their wrist to make sure it isn’t too hot before applying it on your skin. Once the wax is applied to the area, it is quickly stripped away and pulled toward the opposite direction the hair grows. Once this is repeated and the whole area is waxed, the area is wiped off with oil to get off any leftover wax and then coated in cooling gel to reduce irritation. Brazilian wax is similar. A fine layer of powder is applied after the area is cleansed. The wax is then applied in the direction of growth, the Enders of the wax are rounded as it’s applied for easy and quick removal, and pulled away from the direction the hair grows. Work in the smaller sections so the wax is precise.
How long does a wax take and how long does a wax last?
A wax doesn’t have a specific time it ends, it would depend on the service and what part of the body is receiving the hair removal. On average it is said that a wax appointment can take around 45 minutes to an hour. A wax can last from 3 to 6 weeks. This can also vary depending on an individual's hair growth. A Brazilian wax can take up to 15-30 minutes. The bikini area isn’t a large area and usually is a quick process.
How often do you need to wax?
A wax lasts a long time before regrowth. After getting a wax, you won’t need another until 3-6 weeks. Before going to get your next one, do not shave in between waxes and you can only exfoliate as long as it’s 1-2 days before your next wax. The hair of the face grows much quicker than on the rest of the body, you should be getting your brows, lip or chin hair waxed more frequently and 2-3 weeks is preferred. For the underarms, hard wax is preferred due to the fact that this is a more sensitive area. It is recommended to get your underarms waxed every 2 weeks. The bikini area hair usually takes longer to grow back, for that reason, it is recommended that you wait 3-4 weeks before your next appointment. The legs and arm hair takes a long time to grow back as well and shouldn’t be waxed again until after 3-4 weeks to allow normal regrowth.
How do you prepare for waxing?
Shower before your appointment! Your esthetician will be near an extremely intimate area, so it’s important to make sure you’re clean and smelling fresh when you arrive. Make sure you have enough hair for your esthetician to wax and a gentle exfoliation a few days before your wax will help make the ingrown hair removal process a lot easier and quicker. Do not shave 5 days to a week before your wax appointment, gently exfoliate the area that’s going to be waxed, wear baggy, or loose fitting clothing that is easy to remove and put back on after the service to avoid irritation. Plan and make sure your appointment doesn’t collide with the time of your menstrual cycle, take a painkiller an hour before your wax appointment to reduce discomfort or pain. Wear cotton underwear after receiving a Brazilian wax, that way the fabric doesn’t irritate the skin after your service.
How do you prevent or get rid of ingrown hairs and what do you do after a Brazilian wax?
How are ingrown hairs even formed? Ingrown hairs are typically caused by hair Follicles that failed to break through the surface of the skin. This causes the follicle to grow in the incorrect direction and grow downward instead of up. You can prevent this by pulling the ingrown out by the follicle and forcing it to grow in the correct direction. If you already have an ingrown, there are ways to remove it. You can use a moisturizer or an oil that will soften the skin for an easy removal. A hydrating component can soften the skin and promote healing after the ingrown hair is removed. You can decrease the occurrence of ingrown hairs by wearing loose-fitting clothing after getting waxed, cotton underwear and using the proper hygiene for the bikini area. Refraining from shaving can also reduce the change of ingrown hairs significantly along with exfoliating regularly. Apply cream, gel or lotion immediately after to reduce irritation.
What do you not do after a Brazilian wax?
Do not have intercourse immediately after a wax, wait atkeast 24-48 hours. Do not bathe immediately after and do not do any activities that cause you to sweat. The area must remain dry for a few hours. Do not exfoliate immediately after a wax, do not apply any artificial fragrances to a freshly waxed area, it can cause irritation. Do not wear tight fitting clothing, refrain from tight clothing to avoid irritation.
How long does your hair need to be to get waxed?
When getting waxed, your hair has to be at least ¼ inches long or the service won’t be as effective because the wax won’t properly pick up the hair from the surface and pull it out. If the hair is too long it can easily be trimmed before starting the service.
Does a wax hurt?
Waxing is known to be painful. A wax is a feeling you have to get used to. It may be painful the first time, but after a few sessions, you get used to it. A Brazilian wax is definitely painful but it would also have to depend on your pain tolerance and how large the area is of the hair that is being removed. But if removed fast and done quickly, a wax is not as painful.
Can you shave in between waxes?
No, do not shave in between waxes. You need at least ¼ of an inch of hair when getting a wax. Shaving is not as effective as waxing and only grazes hair off the surface, making it hard to pick up the hair for the wax because the hair is so short. This can increase your chances of getting ingrown hairs, razor burn and irritation.
