Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Brazilian Waxing: All You Wanted To Know

Brazilian waxing has taken off in popularity in the new millennium and while there are many fans of the procedure, there are usually an equal amount of questions. Here are our answers to a few of them:

Q. What should I expect?
A. A first time Brazilian wax can be a nerve racking experience, but it shouldn't be! While every waxing specialist has different techniques, the general procedure is similar. Your waxer will have you undress from the waist down and will offer you a towel or draping cloth to cover yourself while you wait. They will then clean the area and usually use a talcum powder to absorb any skin oils. Then the actual waxing takes place. Wax varies and some waxers may use soft wax with strips or a self hardening wax or even a combination of both. After the waxing is over, an oil will be used to remove any excess or leftover wax and will be followed with a soothing agent.

Q. How much will it hurt?
A. Pain varies for everyone but often times people say it hurts less than expected. Taking an aspirin or pain reliever a half hour before your appointment will help alleviate some pain and redness that some people experience. Try to relax and keep breathing, being tense will only make things worse! And remember, if you need a short break, don't be afraid to ask.

Q. How much hair should I let grow before coming in?
A. Hair that is between 1/4" to 3/4" is the easiest to wax. If hair is too short, the wax will be unable to adhere to it and it will not be removed. If hair is longer than 1 inch, it is always appreciated if the hair is trimmed to a shorter length. If hair is too long, it can be more painful as well as take longer to perform the service. Some salons will also charge up to $15 extra if trimming is necessary.

Q. How long will it last?
A. Your first wax will generally leave you hair free for 1-2 weeks. The more often you are seen, the longer you can go between waxes. On average, every 4-6 weeks is a good timeline for appointments, eventually you may be able to go up to 8 weeks or more. With time, hair will grow back finer and thinner and each wax will hurt less.

Q. Is there any special aftercare I need to do?
A. Waxing is relatively easy in terms of aftercare. The area may be sore with some redness for a day or two but this usually goes away quickly. To prevent ingrown hairs, it is recommended that the area be exfoliated each day in the shower. This can be done easily with a bath poof or exfoliating scrub.

As always, if you have other questions or concerns, don't be afraid to ask your salon or waxing specialist, or ask us here!

2 comments:

lollipoopmonster said...

geeee, thanks for that info! during my first ever brazilian waxing.. i felt really anxious and paranoid! hahaha but not quite what i expected it to hurt ^^

marlon said...

Brazilian Waxing nice but the hair if easily grow back. why dont you try Brazilian Laser Hair Removal. the hair grows back for 5 months.