Tips For Waxing Beginners
If you’re tired of shaving every day, waxing may be for you — but it can be intimidating for beginners. No worries, this guide is here to help you every step of the way!
The Hair “Down There”
Maybe you don’t mind shaving your legs every day, but the thought of maintaining a clean bikini line while on your beach vacation is enough to send you to waxing salon.
What is a bikini wax? Your salon may come up with its own names for the different types of bikini waxes, but there are essentially three levels of waxing. The most common names are the American, the French and the Brazilian. Here’s what you get when you ask for these services:
Ask for an “American” wax and the esthetician will follow the line of your underwear or bathing suit bottom and remove any hair that spills out. If you’re going away on vacation it’s a smart idea to bring the skimpiest bathing suit you’re planning to wear to your appointment.
A “French” wax removes a little more than the American, but does not include hair removal from your backside. Hair can be left in a “V” shape or “landing strip” and you do not need to bring your bathing suit to your appointment if this is the type of bikini wax you’re planning on getting, because the technician will need you to remove your underwear in order to work. In other words, this is not for the shy.
When you ask for a “Brazilian” wax everything is removed — including hair from your buttocks. You might not want to get a Brazilian on your first waxing appointment, but lots of women love it once they get used to it. Maybe you’re one of those women?
How to Get a (Relatively) Painless Wax
Preparation is the key. It sounds counter intuitive, but trimming your hair to about the length of a grain of rice greatly reduces discomfort. But be careful! Don’t trim it shorter than that or the wax won’t grip the hair.
Here’s a trick that works if you’re very nervous: Coughing as the technician pulls the wax distracts you from what’s going on. If coughing is a bit too weird for you, hold your breath as she pulls (but don’t forget to breathe the rest of the time!)
How Often Should You Wax?
Waxing for the first time can be very painful, but the good news is that since hair is pulled at the root it grows back softer and easier to pull. The more you do it, the easier it gets. In order to minimize pain, you should go back when your hair grows back to the length of a grain of rice — and while that depends on how quickly your hair grows most women enjoy a few weeks between appointments. So book your appointment or gather your supplies, and enjoy your smooth skin this summer!
