Insider's Guide to Your First Brazilian Wax
So you've considered it a hundred times, your friends do it and you're sick of shaving. You dream of having that perfectly smooth area, having to do no more than show up and have someone handle the situation for you. After all, it's hard dealing with razor bumps and who in the world is skilled enough to angle that thing to get all those hard to reach areas (aka: the butt)? But something is stopping you from pulling the trigger and jumping on the wax wagon.
I understand your anxiety and your fears. Every time I have a new client come in for a brazilian bikini wax, I feel terrible about how nervous they are. The best thing I can do for the client is to chat away, try to take small sections but go as quickly as possible and reassure them that it gets better. I want to share some things you should know that will help you make an informed decision about whether to move forward with your brazilian wax or keep on doing what you're doing. Knowing these ten tips can ensure you have a better experience and keep you coming back!
Your hair needs to be long enough.
If you show up to your appointment with only a few days growth, you might as well forget it. The wax needs to be able to grab the hair, which means you will need a quarter inch of growth. The general rule of thumb is, the length of a grain of rice. I often get asked how long one needs to quit shaving before they can get waxed. That just depends on the person but don't show up with less than that quarter inch, even if you have to get out the hand mirror and confirm that you are ready for take-off.
There are numbing creams that help.
If you are concerned about how badly this is going to hurt, there is help. By planning ahead, you can contact your esthetician about picking up a product that will help take some of the bite out of the service. But numbing creams must be applied in advance in order to have the desired effect. This doesn't mean you will feel NOTHING, but if you have a low pain tolerance, you'll be happy you started your experience out with this little lifesaver.
Expect some discomfort.
I'm not going to lie to you....the first time hurts the most. We are using very warm wax to grab the hair and pop it out of the hair bulb. Your skin has never experienced this and it's fairly shocking in the beginning. My words to every first time brazilian wax client, as they grip the side of the table are, "I know this hurts a lot but it will get better every time. Do you believe me?". Everyone nods that they do believe me, although I'm pretty sure they'd be agreeable to anything right about then. But I've always had my clients tell me that the next appointment is definitely much better. And it gets easier, the more you wax!
You are going to be put in some compromising positions.
You are about to get very familiar with your esthetician. He or she is going to put your body in a variety of different positions that just don't seem natural. If it's a female brazilian, your labia is going to be moved around to get every last hair. If it's a male brazilian, your scrotum is going to be stretched out to get a flat and taut surface for the wax strips. And in both cases, you'll have to be positioned correctly to do your bum. While it feels totally unnatural to have someone moving your private parts around, it's part of getting the job done.
Your esthetician has seen just about everything.
If you think there is something that is especially strange about your body, it's probably because you don't see as many examples of the human anatomy as the person who is waxing you. Everyone of us is uniquely shaped, have different patterns of hair growth, have areas we think are less than ideal, etc... Trust me, all your esthetician sees is hair. Our job is to get the hair removed, as quickly and with as little discomfort, as possible.
Don't ever get waxed for the first time right before a big event.
If you're getting married, this is not how you want to surprise your fiancé. First of all, you will be sensitive for a day or two after your first wax. Secondly, it's recommended you don't have sex for at least 24 hours after a wax and 48 hrs is better in the beginning. Also, if your skin is sensitive, you might have a histamine reaction due to the hair removal. This often happens a couple days afterward and it's best to start out with a test run in advance. In the event of such a reaction, your esthetician will recommend something that will help. Please be aware that this lessens or goes away with subsequent hair removal treatments.
Don't come directly from the gym.
Don't take this one the wrong way. The reason for not coming in right after a workout is the same reason it makes waxing harder if you've been hanging outside on a hot day. Your body temperature is above normal. Add to this your anxiety and anticipation of the impending service and the fact that you're having very warm wax applied to your private parts and we have the recipe for a difficult waxing experience. Once you start sweating and your body temperature raises (which will happen inevitably anyway), the wax behaves differently. Let's not add fuel to the fire.
It helps to pre-exfoliate.
If possible, try to use an exfoliating mitt before your first wax. In fact, this should be an ongoing practice for anyone who waxes regularly. It helps prevent ingrown hairs.
Don't wear tight clothes.
If it's your first brazilian, you will be a bit tender for a couple days following. It helps if you don't have to put tight jeans back on or anything that makes you less comfortable right after the fact. And you might want to skip the sexy panties that day as well. You are going to have lots of different solutions applied to your skin during your service. Plus the fact that you will likely experience some pinpoint bleeding from having course hair removed for the first time. This will likely not be evident by the time you've been cleansed again afterward and after-wax solution is applied, BUT... skip wearing your favorite pair anyway.
"Waiting to exhale" isn't just a movie.
It's important not to tense up during the removal of your wax strips. I realize this sounds crazy, coming from the person on the other end of the wax stick. But I get waxed also and I find it's EXTREMELY helpful if I do a big exhale when the strip is being pulled on the more sensitive areas.
Having shared all this, I hope you will take the plunge and consider becoming part of the brazilian waxing world. We have other people to do our hair, nails, toes, give us facials and massages & get rid of unwanted facial hair or shape our brows. Why WOULDN'T you have someone get your "situation" situated for you? People don't ENJOY their brazilian wax like they would a massage but the results are longer lasting, the hair thins out over time and if you stay on top of your appointments, it's a breeze for most people. The benefits definitely outweigh the negatives. Give it a try!
Call or text to set up your brazilian bikini wax with Skin Solutions by Wendi
302.312.1569