Admit it. You’ve seen those risqué ads featuring lingerie-clad models (or even naked ones) with perfectly manicured nether regions. Is it real? Or is it photoshopped? Every time you try to duplicate the well-manicured look of a string bikini model, you end up with razor rash that looks like you’re carrying some rare form of impetigo. Or worse, you over-shave just a few days before your OBGYN appointment and end up looking like you chose a dare during a drunken game of Truth or Dare.
There isn’t a woman alive who hasn’t, at some point, considered waxing her bikini line. For most, the decision comes down to just how much pain they can endure for the sake of beauty. Waxing the eyebrows or lip line is one thing, but waxing the sensitive skin of the bikini area? Can someone say, “Ouch!” Even the experts who perform dozens of Brazilians (leaving only a small strip of hair) every day will be honest enough to tell you: waxing the bikini line DOES hurt—especially the first few times. Chances are, you knew that, because anytime you pull a hair out from the root with hot wax, there’s a predisposition to some pain, right? However, experts say the more you wax, the less it hurts. This could mean you’ll get used to the pain, or, as they claim, the root balls that hold the coarse pubic hair in place will shrink over time, making them less painful to remove.
Benefits and Risks of Bikini Waxing
So, what are the benefits of a bikini wax? Perhaps the most notable benefit is that hair will grow back much more slowly than it does with shaving or hair removal products. Plus, sources say that the more you wax, the less hair grows back over time because the harsh process actually damages the hair follicles. Some women report that a good bikini wax lasts a month or longer, while others say it only lasts a couple of weeks. Either way, the hair grows back finer and doesn’t resemble the itchy, annoying stubble you get after shaving. Another benefit is that waxing is less expensive than permanent hair removal processes, like electrolysis, which don’t always work. Additionally, waxing leaves the area smooth and supple afterward (though you should use aloe or anti-inflammatory creams), which can be aesthetically pleasing to any partner spending time near your bikini area.
There are also some risks associated with waxing. First, as you wax, you leave an open area of skin, which can be prone to infection, especially near the pubic area. So, it’s important to visit only a licensed aesthetician for the waxing procedure. And, keep the area very clean afterward. Additionally, you can expect to be put in a fairly uncomfortable position during the waxing session. In other words, the person performing the wax will likely see as much (or perhaps more) of your private region as your OBGYN does. And if you’re getting a Brazilian wax, you’ll be completely hairless from belly button to backside—yes, this includes all the areas in between cracks and crevices of your body! If you’re modest and get embarrassed easily, you may find the procedure not only painful but also slightly uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Planning your appointment is crucial. As mentioned earlier, make sure you’re visiting a licensed aesthetician. Stay out of the sun for several days before the appointment, as waxing sunburned skin is not recommended. Also, ensure you’re not on your period, or about to be, since this could make the procedure both embarrassing and difficult for the specialist. Before your appointment, browse online for images to help you understand what to expect. Some waxes take more hair than others, and the Brazilian wax will remove all hair from the labia, leaving only a very small patch. If you prefer, you can choose a bikini wax that leaves no hair behind, leaving you completely bald ‘down there.’ One word of advice: start small, because it will hurt! Then, you can gradually work up to waxing more of the area.
Thinking of trying a bikini wax at home? Waxing at home, or any kind of waxing really, depends on you. Most people can handle putting on the wax, but the real challenge comes in trying to remove it. You need to act quickly and decisively for it to be effective. Maybe test with some duct tape on your bikini area first and see if you can pull it off without hesitation.
In the end, remember that pubic hair serves a purpose: it helps keep bacteria from entering your body. Sure, it might not be the sexiest look, and many people would agree that an overgrown, bushy pubic region is a turn-off sexually. The last thing you want is to be stared at on the beach for sporting hair that shoots out from your bikini line. But whether you wax or not—it’s totally up to you!
