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Should I Get A Bikini Wax? 7 Things To Know Before Taking Care Of Hair Down There

by Sarah Bunton

Oh, pubic hair. At some point, many women find themselves in a love/hate relationship with their grooming routine. Some see hair as a natural part of their body, and opt for full bush status. Others prefer to be hair-free because it makes them feel cleaner and more comfortable. If you’re part of the latter group, then chances are you’ve wondered whether or not you should shave away your hairs or go for a full bikini wax. But before you book your appointment, there are some things you should know about getting a bikini wax.

For starters, you should know there are many ways to remove pubic hair that don’t involve smearing a hut substance on your body. You can shave it off, have it lasered away, or even tweeze your bikini line. But according to Elle, most women rely on waxing to remove pubic hair, as it lasts a little longer and saves them some time. Still, you may be nervous to book your first appointment, whether it’s because you’re concerned about the cost, scared of the potential pain, or just don’t know enough about it. Here are some important things to know about getting a bikini wax that will prepare you for your first visit, and the many that may follow.

1

Pay Attention To Your Cycle

Did you know you should avoid getting waxed if you’re on your period? But not for the messy reason you may think. Tiffany Sposato of the European Wax Center tells Romper that, “increased hormones during menstruation make your skin super sensitive and more prone to irritation.” So if it’s your time of the month, you might want to wait a week before heading to the salon.

2

Learn The Language

You may have an image in your head of how you want your bikini line to look, but could end up walking out of the salon with a totally different result. Even if you think you’ve done your very best to communicate what it is you want, it’s helpful to know the lingo. Allure offers this handy guide to waxing lingo so you’ll know the difference between a Full-Bush Brazilian and a classic Brazilian.

3

Remember To Prep

If you want to avoid ingrown hairs and cut down on pain by making the hairs easier to remove, then don’t forget to exfoliate. European Wax Center’s education director Melanie Gilliland told Refinery29 that you should exfoliate the areas to be waxed regularly, but don’t do it the day of your appointment.

4

Keep It Dry

Though moisturizing is definitely a key part of any beauty routine, you’ll actually want to skip that step before getting a bikini wax. Shobha Tummala, founder of Shobha hair removal salon, told Elle that you should be clean, dry, and avoid using any lotion the day of a wax appointment.

5

Let It Grow

Even if you can’t stand your stubble, it’s best to actually let your pubic hair grow out a little before getting waxed. In order to get the smoothest and most painless wax, Spruce & Bond director Stephanie Kaulesar told InStyle that hair should be, “the length of a grain of rice (around a quarter of an inch), which is ideal for hair to adhere to the wax.”

6

Pop A Pill

If this is your first time getting your nether regions waxed or your pain tolerance level is on the low side, don’t worry. Sposato tells Romper that taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, like Advil or Tylenol, an hour before your appointment will take the edge off and can even help if your skin is prone to swelling.

7

Don’t Skip The Aftercare

Since you’re spending a pretty penny on hair removal, you’ll want to extend the results of your wax as long as possible. Tummala told Elle that you should avoid sun exposure, sweat (no sex or gym, sorry), and use soothing moisturizers to keep the results long-lasting and pain-free.

Images: 522 Images/Pixabay; Giphy (7)