All About Brazilian Waxing

  Brazilian bikini waxes have been "all the rage" since the late 90's, but they're certainly not new in the United States.

So how does it differ from a regular bikini wax? Basically, with the Brazilian, hair is removed in the front, back and everything in between. Most of the time a "landing strip" is left in the front, but some clients opt for everything removed.

Time Required: 30 - 45 minutes

About Brazilian Waxing:

1. Most waxings occur in a private room with a door (although I have heard of some with just a curtain between you and others). You'll be left alone to remove your pants and underwear and you'll be asked to lie on a table with clean paper or sheets. It is possible that you may be provided with a paper thong and you can certainly ask for one.
2. Because you only need about a quarter-inch of hair for the wax to grab onto, your waxer may trim pubic hair to the correct length.
3. The waxer will then liberally apply talcum powder to the skin. Talcum powder keeps hot wax from sticking to skin.
4. The best waxers are fast, which means less discomfort for you. The waxer will dip a waxing stick into a pot of hot wax and then spread it onto your skin and hair. She will then apply a cloth strip over the still-warm wax, pressing firmly so the cloth, hair and wax adhere to one another. When the wax has cooled, she will pull the strip off, in the opposite direction of your hair growth, pulling the hairs out by the root.
5. Most likely, your waxer will tweeze any stray hairs.
6. Waxing usually starts in the front and moves toward the back. You'll likely have to move around in all sorts of odd positions in order for the waxer to do her job. You may be asked to help hold skin taut.
7. Once the waxing is complete, the waxer may trim the remaining landing strip, or even create designs (if there are patterns for this, I do not know where they exist). Some women even opt to dye the remaining pubic hair.
8. The waxer will spread soothing lotion over the waxed areas. You should ask what to do in case of bumps, redness or ingrown hairs. Your waxer should be trained in this.
9. Don't forget to get the name of the waxer so when you make another appointment you can get the same person so you don't have to bare all for another complete stranger (wink).

Tips:

1. The procedure, like any waxing, can be very painful at first, but frequent visits usually cuts down on the pain factor. I suggest taking a couple Advil at least 15 minutes (preferably an hour) before your procedure. As for the embarrassment factor -- we like to think getting a Brazilian can't be any more embarrassing than a typical visit to your gynecologist's office. These aestheticians have seen it all before.
2. The downside of a Brazilian wax... while it lasts as much as 3 weeks, the hair will grow back and you'll have to do it again.
3. Another downside... hair has to be a certain length before it can sucessfully waxed.
4. Another down side... you might experience red bumps or ingrown hairs.
5. Waxing can last up to two months depending on hair growth.

Compliments of About.com

Comments

[Jessica]

I get a brazilian about every 6 weeks. The first few times it was a little weird but you get used to it. I have been to Rosemarie at Christopher Stephens twice now and she makes you feel very relaxed. Jessica