What is a bikini wax exactly?
You may be asking yourself “What exactly is a bikini wax?”. A bikini wax is a hair removal service that removes unwanted hair from the bikini region using a soft or hard wax. There are a couple of different styles of bikini waxes. The most popular of those being a traditional bikini wax, a Brazilian bikini wax, and what we like to call a betweeny wax. A traditional bikini waxing service removes the hair that falls outside the traditional panty or bikini line. A Brazilian wax removes all hair in the genital region including the hair around the anus. A betweeny wax is just that, it is somewhere in between a traditional bikini and a Brazilian wax.
Regardless of what type of bikini wax you decide to do, the procedure itself is fairly straight forward. The skin will be cleansed and prepped according to the wax manufacturers’ directions. The wax will be applied using firm pressure in the direction of hair growth, then removed in the opposite direction. Finally, a finishing product will be applied to remove any waxy residue and soothe the skin.
Frequently Asked Question
When it comes to waxing, there are a million questions you could ask. I have compiled a list of the most asked questions about bikini waxing to share them with you.
How do I prepare my skin before a waxing service?
- Refrain from taking a shower or bath immediately before the treatment. Soaking the hair will soften it, allowing it to break more easily and making waxing less effective. You will be given a moist, hot towel to freshen up with before the service begins.
- Do not shave! To get the best results, your hair should be at least ¼” long. This takes the average person 2+ weeks from the last time they shaved. A good comparison for this measurement is about the height of 3 stacked quarters. Let the hair grow out to about a half-inch above the skin. If hairs are too short, the wax won’t adhere strongly enough to pull them out.
- Keep your skin hydrated, but do not apply body lotion the day of your appointment.
- Exfoliate. Exfoliate. Exfoliate.
Does it hurt?
So this one is really hard to answer because pain is relative. What could be painful to you may not be painful to me. Most people find their first bikini wax to be somewhat uncomfortable, but not necessarily painful. Keep in mind we are pulling hair out by the root, so it does feel like you’re having your hair pulled out. To lessen or alleviate pain we follow the clients’ lead. We also wax in small sections to diminish the tingly sensation that comes along with waxing.
Is there anything I should avoid before I a bikini wax?
- As mentioned above, do not apply body lotion the day of your appointment.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these can stimulate, making you more sensitive and may increases the redness after waxing.
- Do not shave for at least 2 weeks prior to your appointment.
- Do not have sexual relations immediately prior to your appointment.
How long can my hair be?
The optimal length for hair when waxing is 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. When hair is shorter than 1/4 of an inch, the wax has a hard time grabbing the hair. This can make waxing less effective. If the hair is over 1/2 inch long it can get tangled in the wax, and the client can experience more pulling, which leads to increased pain.
If a client comes into our studio and their hair does not fall within the desired range, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we can’t wax them. What it will mean is we won’t get optimal results. If the hair is too short we will reschedule the appointment for a later date. If the hair is longer than 1/2 inch we will take precautions and apply smaller sections to decrease be level of sensitivity.
What type of wax do you use?
There are two main types of wax used for hair removal. Soft wax is applied thinly and requires a strip to cover and remove the unwanted hair. Hard wax is applied more thickly and does not require any type of strip to remove. At Linde Esthetics, we use both soft and hard wax for bikini waxing.
Will I get ingrown hairs?
The chance of getting ingrown hairs decreases significantly when waxing compared to shaving. As hair grows back after regular waxing, it is finer and thinner. When hair is shaved, it is cut at a blunt angle. This can lead to an increased number of ingrown hairs. One thing you can do to lessen the chance of getting ingrown hair is to exfoliate daily in areas you wax.
Choose a waxing studio with a great reputation
When it comes to waxing your most intimate of areas, you will want to make sure that the person you are choosing to do this service has a stellar reputation. Below are a few things to look for when choosing your waxing home.
- Location has been open for more than one year
- Technician has more than one year experience or advanced training
- City, County and State Licensing is up to date
- No sanitation or safety violations
- Good Google reviews, four stars or greater
If you have any questions about bikini waxing or general waxing questions, please reach out. We are here for you.
As always, be beautiful, feel fabulous,
Windy Linde
