Feeling a bit stressed or anxious about your first Brazilian wax? Or maybe it’s been a while and you’re ready for a refresh? Relax! We’ve got all the insider tips and expert advice you need to know exactly what to expect during your Brazilian wax at Waxing the City.
Feeling slightly nervous before a Brazilian wax is totally normal since it is the most personal waxing service. We asked our Cerologists, aka waxing professionals, to share their tips for every step of the process – from how to prepare for your appointment to the best aftercare treatments. (They also shared the nine things they want you to know when it comes to waxing services.) For those curious what to expect in a Brazilian wax, let’s start with the basics.
Brazilian waxing explained
A Brazilian wax involves removing hair from the top of your pubic area all the way to your inner backside. You can choose to leave a stylish strip of triangle, or go completely bare — it’s all about what makes you feel fabulous.
Before Your Brazilian Wax:
If you’ve made an appointment and are now wondering how to prepare for your first Brazilian, here are some first-time tips to keep in mind to make the most of your waxing service and maximize the best results.
Brazilian wax prep steps
Ditch the razor
Don’t shave for 2–4 weeks before your appointment. We know that sounds like a long time, but trust us, it’s worth it! Letting your hair grow out ensures the best waxing results because longer hair gives the wax something to grab onto.
Lather up
Plan on showering and exfoliating 48-72 hours prior to your appointment. Not only will this help you to feel prepped and ready for your appointment, but you’ll want to avoid hot water for at least 24 hours post-wax, so you’ll thank yourself later.
Hydrate
Plan on drinking lots of water before (and after) your wax to hydrate both your body and your skin.
Anticipate discomfort
The main question you’re probably wondering is, “How bad does a Brazilian wax actually hurt?” The truth is, you will most likely experience some degree of discomfort — of course everyone’s pain tolerance is different — but you can ease discomfort by taking ibuprofen prior to your appointment to help minimize pain.
Dress comfortably
When you’re heading to your appointment, be sure to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and leave the Spanx for a different day. This will help to avoid friction from tight-fitting clothing, which can cause irritation or ingrown hairs in the freshly waxed area.
If you’re nervous about how to prepare for your first Brazilian wax, show up a few minutes early to your appointment. This will give you time to ask your Cerologist questions and have them talk you through each step of the process and share expert wax and care treatment tips.
The Brazilian waxing Process:
Arrival
Once you get to the studio, your Cerologist will show you to the room. They will then give you a cleansing wipe and a privacy sheet. The wipe is to clean your intimate area prior to waxing, especially helpful if you’re coming to the studio midday or after work.
Get comfortable
The Cerologist will then leave the room so that you can undress from the waist down. Once you’re undressed, you can cover yourself with the privacy sheet. If you’re worried about your Cerologist seeing you in all your hairy glory, don’t be. They’ve truly seen it all and think nothing of it. They’re experts and they do Brazilian waxes every single day. So, there’s no need to feel embarrassed or self-conscious about anything.
Review steps
Your Cerologist will knock on the door after several minutes and ask if you’re ready. They will then direct you through the entire waxing process and different positioning so that they can remove any and all unwanted hair.
Wax time
They will wax hair from the front of the pubic bone, around the external genitals, between the upper thighs, and around the anus. Be sure to communicate to your Cerologist exactly how much hair you want removed. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to have all hair in the area removed or leave some hair in the front.
The entirety of the waxing process will take about 45 minutes
Post-Brazilian wax skin care
After your appointment, your Cerologist will give you the full rundown on post-wax care. But here are the top tips to keep your skin silky smooth and happy:
- Avoid the sun and tanning beds
- Skip saunas, swimming, and sweating at the gym for the next 24 hours.
- Wait two days before engaging in any sexual activity that includes friction.
- Keep your clothing loose, avoiding anything tight or constricting for the next few days.
- Don’t exfoliate for the first few days as your skin will be more tender than usual.
- If you’re planning on getting a spray tan, wait about 24–48 hours as the chemicals may irritate your skin and make the color look uneven.
If this is your first Brazilian wax, you may notice a few stray hairs or breakage afterwards. This occurs because your hair grows at uneven lengths, which can cause some breakage at that initial wax. Getting regular Brazilian waxes will lead your skin to get smoother and clearer over time. Not only that, but keeping up with your hair growth cycle can make your hair grow back thinner, weaker, and sparser.
You’ll want to give your skin at least 24 hours. 48 hours is ideal. Hope this helps!
The best Brazilian aftercare products
Max your wax with the proper products. To prevent ingrown hairs in the weeks following your appointment, try using a gentle exfoliant and an ingrown hair treatment. Many of our Cerologists’ go-to aftercare products come from the Fur brand.
For an exfoliant, we always reach for the Silk Scrub. It’s gentle enough to use on the most sensitive areas, like your bikini line or pubic area but powerful enough to buff away dead skin cells for radiant resurfacing.
The soothing Fur Ingrown Concentrate heals and comforts with coconut ester (keeps the hair strands lubricated), tamanu oil (promotes healing and regenerating), and chamomile (calms and soothes ingrown bumps). It’s acid- and alcohol-free so it can be used on sensitive skin. Apply daily to ingrown-prone areas to prevent bumps.
Our Pros answer your qustions
1. Can you get a Brazilian wax when you’re pregnant?
It’s generally considered completely safe for pregnant women to get waxed during pregnancy. With those hormones kicking in, your hair might be growing faster than ever. Plus, with that baby bump, reaching certain spots can be a challenge. We’ve got you covered!
Can you get a Brazlian wax if you're on your period
Yes, you get a Brazilian wax while on your period. As long as you’re wearing a fresh menstrual cup or tampon with the string tucked in before your appointment, you should be all good to go. Just keep in mind that your pubic area might be a bit more sensitive during this time so you may experience slightly more discomfort than at a different part of your cycle.
3. How often should I book Brazilian appointments?
It’s recommended that you book your Brazilian appointments about every three to four weeks. Again, this allows for you to go through a complete cycle of hair regrowth. Your hair should be about a quarter inch long before it can be successfully removed (about the length of a grain of rice). This growth period varies person to person, you’ll find the right rhythm when you start consistently booking your appointments.
4. How can I avoid getting bumps after a Brazilian wax?
Say bye bye to bumps with routine cleansing and exfoliating. This is the easiest and most effective way to prevent ingrown and other bumps from making an appearance. Ingrown hairs are caused when hair that’s been removed starts to grow back and curves into the skin, causing irritation. Regularly exfoliating can help you avoid this, especially if you’re pairing it with an ingrown concentrate or serum.
5. What are the benefits of getting a Brazilian wax?
Waxing has many benefits, and Brazilian waxes in particular cause less irritation than shaving — especially if you prep well to avoid unwanted rashes and bumps. Wax pulls hair from the root, so you’ll be smoother for longer than you would with a razor.
Typically, a Brazilian lasts about 3 to 4 weeks depending on the speed of your hair regrowth. Regularly getting a Brazilian can also create less hair in the long run. Repeatedly waxing, causes your hair to grow back softer, thinner, and overall, less. The waxing process will also become easier and less uncomfortable, and you may even be able to go longer in between appointments.
Ready to book your first Brazilian? Find the WTC location nearest you to get started. (Psst! If you’re new to Waxing the City, you’ll get 20% off your first wax.)
