What To Know Before Getting a Brazilian Wax

They say bald is beautiful. If you agree, a Brazilian wax might be the hair-removal trick you’re looking for. Especially if you’re not a fan of shaving down there.

A Brazilian wax removes all or most pubic hair, which takes much of the work off you and ensures a thoroughly hairless area. But this procedure comes with pros and cons. So, what should you know before you go bare?

Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, explains what to expect before getting a Brazilian wax, the best ways to prep beforehand and how to take care afterward.

What is a Brazilian wax?

Real talk: Most of us are hairy. Often, pubic hair can grow down your thigh a bit, where it can peek out from a bathing suit or underwear. Sometimes, it grows upward toward your belly button.

For those who want to get rid of that hair in one fell swoop, there are different types of waxing procedures. A bikini wax removes hair along the edge of your bikini line, along your thigh and below your navel. A Brazilian wax takes things further.

This waxing method removes all pubic hair — above, behind and around every corner. Depending on where you go, your waxer may use different types of wax (both hot and cold). But all the waxes work by sticking to hairs so they can be pulled out by the root.

Is a Brazilian wax right for you? Here are those pros and cons to consider.

Benefits and risks

There’s nothing unhealthy or unsanitary about going au naturel (read: hairy). But if you prefer a more groomed look, waxing has some benefits, notes Dr. Khetarpal.

Some benefits of getting a Brazilian wax include:

• Less irritation (in the long run): If you prep well, waxing may be less likely than shaving to cause rashes and bumps.
• Long lasting: Wax pulls hair out from the root, so you’ll stay smooth longer than you would with a razor. A Brazilian wax can keep you hair-free for three or four weeks. (At that point, it’ll be time for a repeat visit to your waxer.)
• Less hair over the long term: If you wax repeatedly, the hair often starts to grow back softer and thinner. Over time, waxing will be easier and less painful, and you may be able to go longer between sessions.

At the same time, waxing may not be for everyone. Some of the risks and side effects include:

• Rash: It’s common to experience bumps and redness, especially right after waxing, and they’re more likely if you don’t prep correctly. This is temporary and typically resolves on its own.
• Itchiness: Your waxed skin might feel itchy as it heals. “Try not to scratch since that can irritate the skin,” advises Dr. Khetarpal.
• Vulvodynia: Though it’s not super common, a 2019 study showed that removing pubic hair may increase the risk of developing vulvodynia, chronic pain of the vulva.

How painful will it be?

A Brazilian wax will likely hurt. If you’ve ever had your hair pulled, you know that it can cause some discomfort — the same goes for your hair down there. But how painful does it get? The pain can range from uncomfortable to “OMG” on the pain scale. But the first time is usually the worst.

The pain level you experience during a Brazilian wax depends on your pain tolerance, skin sensitivity and hair thickness. So, just because your friend said they didn’t break a sweat, it may not be the same for you.

What to expect during a Brazilian wax

Compared to giving yourself a quick shave or trim in the shower, a Brazilian wax is much more involved. And more importantly, it involves going to a professional esthetician who will get you prepped, sanitized and waxed correctly.

How to prep before your wax

To get the best results, you can take some simple steps to prepare before your appointment.

Decide if it’s for you or not

Especially if you’re new to waxing, don’t jump into it without asking yourself a couple of questions.

You should skip waxing if you:

• Are recently sunburned. This will make the waxing process 10 times more painful, so wait until that burn has healed before you go in for your appointment.
• Have very sensitive skin. If your skin reacts badly to shaving or you live with any sort of eczema flare-ups, a Brazilian wax may cause you more irritation. If you’re not sure, talk to your dermatologist before going in for a wax.
• Have taken the acne medication isotretinoin in the last six months. “Waxing while taking isotretinoin can cause permanent scars. And that goes for both hot and cold wax,” warns Dr. Khetarpal.

Do your research

When finding an esthetician to go to, be as thorough with your search as you would be with finding a healthcare provider. “Hair removal does have a risk of infection or injury if it’s not done correctly,” Dr. Khetarpal points out. “Read reviews and ask for recommendations to find a trustworthy salon.” Most waxers in the U.S. need to have a license to perform the procedure.

And waxers should wear gloves and never “double-dip.” In other words, they should use a new stick each time they scoop wax from the pot, rather than re-dipping the same stick they used to apply the wax to your skin.

Don’t shave

It may seem odd, but you should avoid shaving before your appointment. For at least two to three weeks before your appointment, let those hairs grow free! The reason for this is so the wax has something to grab hold of when it’s applied. Plus, if your pubic hairs are too short for waxing, it can lead to irritation.

Trim before your appointment

While avoiding shaving, you should give yourself a trim when it gets closer to your appointment. Hair should be between one-quarter and three-quarters of an inch long for the wax to do its job, recommends Dr. Khetarpal. If it’s longer, you might want to trim before you go.

Clean and exfoliate

Take a shower before your appointment to clean the area thoroughly. Exfoliating is a good idea, too — this can prevent ingrown hairs. You should do this one to two days before your appointment. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub or a dry brush to remove dead skin cells.

Prevent pain

Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen about a half hour before your appointment, especially if you’re extra sensitive to pain. And avoid caffeine and alcohol before your appointment, as they can make your skin more sensitive.

Communicate openly

Inform your esthetician of any allergies or skin sensitivities, or if you’re using products like retinoids or acne medication that might affect your skin.

How is a Brazilian wax done?

A Brazilian wax involves the removal of most or all of the hair from the pubic region, including the front, sides, back and often the area around the anus. The entire process usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the amount of hair and the skill of the esthetician.

Here’s a step-by-step overview of what typically happens during a Brazilian wax

1. Preparation. Before you even get waxed, you’ll want to have a consultation with your esthetician. They’ll ask you some questions about your health, skin sensitivity and any previous waxing experiences. You’ll be asked to undress from the waist down. Some spas provide disposable underwear or towels for modesty.
2. Cleansing. The esthetician will cleanse the area to remove any oils, sweat or lotion. This will make sure that the wax sticks properly to your skin.
3. Pre-wax application. This isn’t the wax yet, so don’t flinch! A light layer of pre-wax oil or powder might be applied to protect your skin and to make sure the wax sticks to your hair (not your skin).
4. Wax application. Either hard wax or soft wax is used. Hard wax is applied in a thick layer and removed without strips, while soft wax is applied in a thin layer and removed with cloth or paper strips. Your esthetician will work in small sections, applying the wax toward hair growth.
5. Hair removal. The removal of the hair will depend on the type of wax that’s used. If it’s hard wax, it will be allowed to cool and harden, then quickly pulled off against the direction of hair growth. If it’s soft wax, a cloth or paper strip is pressed onto the wax and then pulled off quickly against the direction of hair growth. Your esthetician may also hold your skin taut to minimize discomfort.
6. Repeat the process. This process is repeated for each section until your desired amount of hair is removed. Your esthetician may use tweezers to remove any remaining stray hairs.
7. Post-wax treatment. Finally, any remaining wax is cleaned off. A soothing lotion or gel, often containing aloe vera or tea tree oil, is applied to calm the skin and reduce redness.

Aftercare

Once you finish the appointment, be gentle with your downstairs area. Your esthetician will give you aftercare instructions, including avoiding hot baths, saunas and tight clothing for 24 to 48 hours. In general, don’t touch the area immediately afterward either. A bit of redness in the area is normal, but if this persists and is paired with extreme pain, swelling, pus or discharge, talk to a healthcare provider, like a dermatologist, right away.