Of all the options we have for bikini waxing, nothing is as intimidating as the Brazilian wax. Silky soft skin everywhere in that region it has always been attractive to people preparing for swimsuit season or simply wanting to become completely hair-free, although it comes at a price. The lore of how painful a Brazilian wax can be means most opt for their trusty razor instead.
But if you’re tired of the razor bumps and ingrown hairs that shaving your pubic area inevitably brings and want your first Brazilian wax, you’ll definitely want to read this before you go for the first time. From how to prepare, what to expect and best post-waxing practices, here experts explain everything you need to know about getting a Brazilian wax.
What is a Brazilian wax?
Like Kathleen Hamilton, beautician and business trainer at Woodhouse Spa, it describes, a Brazilian wax is a hair removal procedure that completely removes pubic hair. This means that all the hair on the front, back and everything in between is waxed by a professional. “It may feel a little ‘intimate,’ but the result is super-smooth skin that lasts for weeks,” says Hamilton.
Brazilian Wax vs. Bikini Wax
There is only one major difference between a Brazilian wax and a bikini wax: how much hair is removed. Hamilton says the bikini wax only removes hair along the bikini line, shaping it or removing some hair to create a neater appearance outside of the more intimate areas.
But the washing process for both is generally similar. “Both Brazilian and bikini waxes use warm wax to remove unwanted hair, done by trained professionals,” she says. “The wax is applied, quickly removed and grabs the hair from the root. The results are temporary, with possible regrowth, but it may take some time before the hair becomes noticeable again.”
The disadvantages of a Brazilian Wax
Apart from the discomfort you may feel during the treatment, other side effects include redness, discoloration, bumps and ingrown hairs, says a board-certified dermatologist. Tiffany Libby, MD. These should disappear within one to three days.
Libby would not recommend a Brazilian wax to people with very sensitive skin, to people taking medications such as oral retinoids, and to people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
Will it hurt?
Unfortunately, a Brazilian wax involves some pain, because you are waxing a very sensitive area in the beginning. But the pain will be different depending on the person. “Everyone’s pain tolerance varies,” says Libby. “The pain can range from mild to moderate discomfort to short sharp pain or tenderness.”
