Brazilian or Bust? Here’s What You Should Know

Before you bare all, bear with us for some helpful tips.

There are very few things we do without extensive research. Getting an oil change in the car requires weeks of trolling Yelp, calling friends and vetting sources. Doctors, restaurants, doggie daycares have been extensively looked into and verified.  And when we think about getting a Brazilian wax, we would never, ever do it on a whim.

A Brazilian, if you aren’t familiar, is when you wax your precious private area completely bare. Done right, it can be fairly painless, all things considered. However, if it’s done wrong, it can become a disaster zone.  Here are few tips to ensure down there gets the best care.

Don’t Just Trust the Salon, Trust the Waxer

Just because a salon or spa is highly rated, it doesn’t mean that their waxing services are up to the same quality.  Waxing could be an afterthought–or they may not have the most talented waxers. So look for a location that specializes in waxing and has great reviews. A little research will save you weeks of painful bruising and rashes. Yuck!

Also, if you have signed up for the procedure and something doesn’t seem right, listen to your gut and speak up. A Brazilian deals with some very sensitive areas so you don’t want to subject it to pain just because you didn’t want to be “difficult.”

Check Out the Room

A clean and sanitary spa or salon is crucial for a great Brazilian wax. If the room is dirty, then you are not going to get quality service.  Keep an eye out for some warning signs. If there is any wax on the floors or walls or if the waxing stick is already in the can of wax, speak up or leave. A waxer should NEVER double dip their wax stick, meaning they apply wax once and then dip the same stick back in the wax for more. If you see this, get out of there.

Prepare Your Hair

There are a few things you can do to ensure a painless and high quality Brazilian. Avoid getting a Brazilian four days before, after or during your menstrual cycle. And take a pain reliever like aspirin and apply pain-relieving cream a half hour before your wax.

During your wax, your licensed esthetician is largely in control of how painful the procedure will be. A good quality waxer will usually offer towels to cover up parts that aren’t exposed and wear gloves. She will also work on small zones rather than doing too large an area at once. This will help with any pain.

After the Brazilian, apply healing lotions and razor burn cream to your skin for two days afterwards to sooth the skin and prevent ingrown hairs. Also stay out of the sun for two days after the Brazilian, as your newly exposed skin will be very sensitive to UV rays. (As you can imagine.)

Other Options

There are other methods to remove unwanted hair, including shaving (look out for razor burn), hair removal creams (risk of infection) and laser hair removal (permanent and expensive).  (Threading works best on eyebrows and facial hair.)  Waxing is the most common method to get a Brazilian and lasts about two weeks; find locations near you here.

This summer, whether you are going full bush or Brazilian, be aware of whom you let tend your hair. It will lead to a happier, more carefree summer, which is exactly what we all ultimately want.

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