Your First Brazilian Wax: What It Is & 29 MUST-KNOWs Before, During, & After!

Here’s everything you must know about hair removal down there and your first Brazilian wax experience – the pros, cons, aftercare, and all the must-knows!

Ladies, we’ve probably all thought about getting one – a Brazilian wax. If you’re considering doing it, here’s everything you need to know before your first Brazilian wax visit.

What is a Brazilian wax? 

For those of you who don’t know, a full Brazilian wax is a form of grooming via hair removal that gets rid of the entirety of your pubic hair from the root. All of it. You are left completely bare down under.

Your hair is removed from the front of the pubic bone around the external genitals, between the upper thighs, and around the anus. If you think bald is beautiful, a Brazilian wax may be for you!

Origin of the Brazilian wax

You might wonder why anyone invented this seemly barbaric-sounding procedure. [Read: 25 hot ways to get a guy to go down on you and signs to tell if he likes it]

Centuries before the Brazilian wax became popular in the modern world, women were getting their private parts waxed for hygiene purposes, especially in hot climates.

In ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Persia, they used a paste made from sugar and lemon. They did this at a lot of pre-wedding ceremonies. 

Even today, body hair removal is still considered to be a good hygiene practice, especially in Middle Eastern countries. It’s common for women to remove all unwanted hair on their bodies. [Read: Feminine wiles – 15 ways to unleash your inner vixen and hook any man]

The concept of waxing was mostly practiced in that area of the world and didn’t catch on globally until the 1970s and 1980s, when women started to wear thong bikinis on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil *which is how it got the name Brazilian wax*.

Around 1987, the Brazilian wax went global. The J Sisters, seven Brazilian sisters, opened a waxing salon in New York City. They introduced the ideas and techniques of pubic hair removal to other cultures. [Read: What men like in bed – 32 things they want and absolutely lust after]

When the salon started to get celebrity clients, the Brazilian wax started to become famous.

Why get a Brazilian wax?

Whenever summer comes along, this method might cross your mind. Who wouldn’t want to be able to just toss on a bikini at the last minute and not have to worry about the prickling growth peeking through the sides of their pastel blue bottoms? 

You might think, “What could be bad about having a super smooth undercarriage for weeks on end?” Well, there are some bad things along with all of the good ones. [Read: Trim, shave, or natural? – The real score on what looks best!]

When it comes to the removal of hair down there, many of us have just used razors. The tediousness that comes with frequent shaving and razor burn, however, has a lot of us turning to waxing as an alternative.

If you’re like so many women out there who are just sick of razors and are debating trying something different, here is a list of the pros and cons of getting a full Brazilian wax.

When should you get a Brazilian wax? 

The most common time for women to get Brazilian waxes is in the summer. That is the time of year when people go to the beach and pools, so they wear their swimwear. [Read: At home bikini waxing – tips and tricks for first timers]

Unless it’s just your personal preference, there probably isn’t a need for one during the winter months.

How often you should get a Brazilian wax varies from person to person. Some women experience faster hair growth than others, so it’s really a personal decision as to how often to do it.

With that said, the general time frame for repeating the waxing procedure is about every three to five weeks. The reason you have to wait so long is that you have to wait until the hair is about ¼ inch or more before plucking them off again. [Read: Seductive selfie – 34 best sexy selfie poses and tips to show yourself off]

If the hair is shorter than ¼ inch, it won’t come off completely, which might make your private area look messy and unkempt.

If you’re looking for something that will last as long as possible, you might want to go to a salon for waxing services done by trained estheticians instead of doing it yourself. A professional will perform the job very precisely and make the results last longer.

When not to get a Brazilian wax

Although it seems like anyone can get a Brazilian wax, there are some conditions under which you shouldn’t. Stay away from it if you fall into any of these categories. [Read: Unsolicited dick pics – why guys send it and 30 prickly ways to respond]

1. If you are sunburned

You might wonder what kind of woman gets sunburned in her private parts! There are some nude beaches, or maybe you laid out by your private pool by yourself. 

If you get sunburned, it’s a good idea to heal your skin first because it will really be painful. Even if you’re sunburned around the area, it can still be uncomfortable, so just wait until the sunburn heals.

2. If you have very sensitive skin

Some people have skin conditions that make their skin particularly sensitive. It could be that you are fair-skinned or you have psoriasis, eczema, or some other condition. [Read: Hairy nipples – why women get them and the quick fixes that work]

In these cases, you are probably not a good candidate for a Brazilian wax. It will only make the irritation on your skin worse, and you may experience more discomfort than usual.

3. If you’re taking acne medication

If you have taken isotretinoin like Accutane, Retin-A, or Differin for acne in the last six months, you shouldn’t get a Brazilian wax because this drug can cause permanent scars.

You definitely don’t want any scars in your private area, do you? 

Can you get waxed if you’re on your period? 

While it’s possible to get waxed if you’re on your period, you might want to avoid it, especially if you have a professional at a salon do it. If you are doing it yourself, that’s a different story. [Read: Is period sex worth it? Some reasons you might want to pass]

If you do decide to have a professional Brazilian wax when you’re on your period, make sure you wear a tampon instead of a menstrual pad, if possible. If you’re using a pad, it will be difficult to reach certain areas.

Another thing to consider is that during that time of the month, the skin around your pubic bone becomes a little more sensitive. That’s another good reason to avoid it, if at all possible.

Can you get waxed if you’re pregnant? 

While it is possible to get waxed when you’re pregnant, you should always consult with your doctor first. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you should probably err on the side of caution and avoid it until after the baby is born. [Read: Amazing benefits of having sex while you’re pregnant]

Brazilian wax procedure

Some people go to a salon to get a Brazilian wax, but you can also do it yourself at home. Either way, the process is the same. Here’s some information you’ll want to know if you want to do it yourself.

1. Buy a sugaring wax

You can get these at most retail stores, but you can get a wider variety at beauty supply stores. A roll-on wax is a good option because the roll-on applicator provides an even amount of wax over your skin.

2. Get or make some waxing strips

Cut the waxing strips into smaller strips. Removing hair in small portions instead of big clumps will help you feel as comfortable as possible. You can buy these at the same places where you get the wax.

You can also make waxing strips from an old piece of clothing or cotton fabric. Cut them into varying sizes between 1 and 2 inches. [Read: Perfect pretty pussy – 22 ways to make your vagina more beautiful]

3. Clean your waxing area

Clean your pubic area and any other parts that you want to wax. Make sure that all residue is removed from the hair. If you don’t do this, the wax won’t stick as well. You’ll also want to trim your hair to about ¼ to ½ of an inch.

Put baby powder on the parts that you’re going to wax because it makes the wax stick to the hair and not your skin. This will make it less painful, and you can use more powder if it’s still too painful.

4. Clean your hands

If you get wax on your hands while applying it, wipe it up. If the wax dissolves in water, you can wash your hands. If it doesn’t, you can use a cotton ball and baby oil. [Read: Pussy selfie – 16 tips to take a good vagina selfie on the first try]

5. Start at your belly button 

If you have hair on your stomach, start there and work your way down. Apply the wax in the same direction that the hair grows, and make sure you apply thin strips. Stretch your skin taut, and use paper towels to grip your skin so that it doesn’t slip.

Use your other hand to rip off the wax in the opposite direction of your hair growth. This gives much better results and is less painful. Put a mirror between your legs so that you can wax the areas that you can’t see.

6. Keep doing this to remove all hair

You might have to keep repeating those steps to remove the amount of hair that you want to remove. As you know, the bikini area is very sensitive, so it might take more than one session, depending on your tolerance for pain. [Read: The types of vaginas that make up all the vaginas in the world]

The hair in some areas might be more difficult to remove than in other areas, depending on how thick the hair is. You might have to stop if your skin becomes too red.

Bonus tip: Some people prefer to leave a small strip of hair on top.

7. Wash the area when you’re done

After you’re done waxing, you might still have hard wax on your skin, even if you’ve tried to wipe it all off. You will see redness, but it will fade eventually. 

The whole process will probably take around 30 minutes, but it could take longer if this is your first time. [Read: How to get rid of vaginal odor – 16 ways to beat the sniff test]

What to do before heading to your waxing spa

Before you get a Brazilian wax from a professional or do it yourself, there are some things you should do to prepare for it. Here’s what you need to do to have a comfortable waxing experience.

1. Trim hair

Your hair needs to be relatively short – between ¼ and ¾ of an inch maximum. It will be more painful for you if it’s longer, so make sure that you cut it as short as you can.

2. Scrub

We mentioned that you should clean the area before you wax, but besides just washing with soap and water, you can exfoliate the area, too. [Read: Real pussy power – how to strengthen your vaginal muscles]

Exfoliation can help prevent ingrown hairs, and you definitely don’t want those because they can be quite painful.

3. Avoid tanning for at least 24 hours before your appointment

One thing to know about getting a Brazilian wax is that you can’t tan right before your appointment. You might love going to a tanning salon or lying out in the sun, but try to avoid it before you get a Brazilian wax. 

It can cause the skin to be more sensitive than it already is, and that could cause the waxing to be more painful than necessary. [Read: How to make your vagina smell good and taste even better]

4. Cut down on alcohol and caffeine the day you do it

This one might sound strange because you’re probably thinking about what alcohol and caffeine have to do with a Brazilian wax. Most people don’t know this, but both of these substances can cause your pores to tighten. 

When you’re trying to remove hair, having tight pores can make it more difficult to get it out. If you can avoid caffeine and alcohol on the day you have the waxing, you might have an easier and less painful experience.

5. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen at least 30 minutes before

If you have a low pain threshold, you might want to take some precautions ahead of time. [Read: How to masturbate – 23 self-pleasure and solo orgasm secrets for girls]

Taking some ibuprofen or acetaminophen at least 30 minutes prior to waxing can help. That doesn’t mean it still won’t hurt, but it will be more comfortable.

Aftercare 

After you get your Brazilian wax, there are some things you can do for the most comfortable recovery possible. Remember to do these things, as well.

1. Wear loose, comfortable clothes

You will be sensitive in your private area for a while, so you will want to wear loose and comfortable clothing. This will help you avoid unnecessary discomfort and ease the pain in your genital area. [Read: How to make yourself squirt and experience your first squirting orgasm]

2. Wash with a mild cleanser

You will want to clean the waxed area as well as you can, but make sure that your soap or cleanser is mild. This will help soothe your skin and calm down the redness or rash. It also helps to remove residual wax.

3. Skip soaking in a bath or having sex

You might love relaxing in a nice bubble bath or sauna, but try to avoid doing it if you can. You might be really horny for your boyfriend or husband, but try not to have sex for a day or so. Sex can further irritate the skin on your private area before it’s fully recovered from the wax.

4. Avoid strenuous activity

It’s also best to avoid any kind of strenuous activity that could make you uncomfortable.

For example, if you usually go to a workout class, try to avoid that for at least 24-48 hours while you heal. [Read: How to have sex with yourself and learn what turns your body on]

The cons of getting a Brazilian wax

Let’s discuss the reasons why some women won’t even consider getting a Brazilian wax.

1. The pain

“What? Waxing is painful?!” Unless you’ve had all pain receptors removed from your bikini area, it is definitely painful. 

The process of waxing includes removing each hair from its individual follicle. Basically, it’s yanking out hundreds of hairs from deep in your skin. The type of wax that will be used also plays a factor. Generally, soft wax is more painful than hard wax. [Read: Why sex hurts for women – the causes of painful sex]

As you can probably imagine, it hurts a bit – especially since it is literally ALL of the hair you have down there.

However, the amount of pain is different for everybody. It helps if you take a couple of painkillers prior to your visit and hit the cool compress when you get home. If you have really low pain tolerance, you might want to speak to your esthetician about other alternatives, such as laser hair removal.

2. The cost

It’s no secret that waxing costs more money. You’re paying someone to get all up in your junk, apply hot wax, and then tear out all the hairs. [Read: 37 best blowjob techniques, positions, and tips to leave a guy gasping for more]

Luckily, after your first waxing, salons usually drop the cost of maintenance.

3. Growing out the hair

This is usually the worst part of waxing because you get to be worry-free and hair-free for so long, but then you have to grow your hair out before you’re able to get it waxed again. 

Since your pubic hair has to be a certain length before it can be waxed, that means there’s about a week to a week and a half that you won’t want to wear anything less than shorts. [Read: Listen up, ladies! Here’s how to shave your pubic area]

4. Someone is all up in your goodies

This may only be a con for those of you who are very shy or find it very uncomfortable for a stranger to be seeing your most private parts. It usually goes something like, “Hi there. Take off all your clothes from the waist down, and I’ll be back in a moment to strip you bare.”

Maybe it’s not that awkward, but it’s still uncomfortable, especially when they have to move your lady parts around to get the hair out of the hard-to-reach places. Yikes!

To be fair, all of these people are professionals and have probably seen hundreds of vaginas, so there’s no reason to be weirded out if they see yours! [Read: 20 hot tips to becoming more feminine]

5. Rash

You might develop a rash after you get a Brazilian wax. Bumps and redness will occur after the waxing, depending on how sensitive your skin is. If you do have sensitive skin, this can be uncomfortable and take longer to go away. Applying something like a hydrocortisone cream in the area will help reduce the redness.

6. Itchiness

Another con is that your skin might feel itchy as it heals. No one likes to feel itchy, especially in their private area. 

You can’t just reach your hand down there any time you want in public, so it can be annoying. If you’re prone to itchy skin already, it could be worse for you. [Read: Analingus – a walkthrough and total guide to eating ass like a champ]

Brazilian wax benefits

It may seem like there are some pretty serious downsides, but there are plenty of good things that come from a Brazilian wax, too. For a lot of people, the pros outweigh the cons.

1. Extended hairlessness

This really is the #1 reason to get a Brazilian wax. When the hair is ripped from the follicle, you can be hairless for longer. It takes several weeks for the hair to grow back, so for about a month or more, you can proudly parade around with a pubic region as smooth as a baby’s bum!

Added bonus: if you randomly want to get it on with the hottie from the bar, you won’t have to worry about any prior clean-up. You can just get right to it! [Read: How to get a guy to go down on you without a push]

2. No razor burn

Here is the selling point, folks! 

Even if you shave regularly, razor burn is almost as unattractive on the bikini line as having little hairs sticking out, and it’s way more uncomfortable. 

With waxing, there is no fear of tiny red pain monsters masking the beauty of your bare vagina. Instead, you’ll be left with smooth skin that you can flaunt without worry while wearing a bikini or your favorite swimsuit. [Read: What is tea bagging? A sexy guide to eat his balls and make him cum]

3. Hair growth reduces over time

If you regularly wax for a long time, some hair just stops growing back, which keeps your skin bump-free.

Since waxing removes hair from the root, your hair follicle becomes stretched out and loose due to continuously being plucked from its natural abode, resulting in new hair either not forming or just falling out without any extra help. 

4. Confidence

Last but certainly not least, authentic Brazilian waxing helps you to look and feel your best. The confidence you gain from a full Brazilian wax comes from its freedom. [Read: 15 super simple ways to keep yourself sexy at any age]

When you don’t have to worry about whether or not your unwanted, unattractive hair will be visible and clouding the way to your ray of sunshine, you will feel way more comfortable slipping into that tiny bikini or sexy lingerie you’ve been saving for a special day!

You might eventually have a stockpile of panties and swimwear labeled “wax appropriate.” You know you don’t have to be concerned about anything when you get a full Brazilian wax!

[Read: At home bikini waxing – a complete guide for beginners]

Whatever your reason for getting a full Brazilian wax, just know that everything comes with some good and some bad. Every body is different, and a con for someone else may be a pro for you. You never know unless you get out there and try it!