Getting a bikini wax isn’t the most pleasant of experiences, but there’s no denying that it’s an excellent hair-removal technique.
It’s both, long-lasting and leaves your skin feeling smooth. It’s especially great for summer and bikini season when constantly shaving can be annoying and may lead to razor burn.
However, whether you’ve just booked your first bikini wax appointment or have made the decision to wax the area yourself, it’s understandable if you’re nervous.
One thing that can make this a much calmer experience is knowing what to do before you get a bikini wax.
In addition to tips and advice on preparing the bikini area, we’re going to walk you through exactly what to expect, how to deal with aspects of waxing such as pain management, and the benefits of using waxing as a hair-removal method. For a complete guide on everything bikini waxing, read on.
Mentally Prepare Yourself
While there are physical preparations you have to take care of, mentally preparing yourself for a bikini wax can help when it’s your first time.
Be Prepared For Pain
Those who say waxing your bikini area is completely painless are lying – perhaps they’re desensitized to the pain, but your first time will be at least slightly painful or uncomfortable.
If you go into your appointment expecting this, you’ll be surprised how much it calms you down and puts the level of pain into perspective.
Get Comfortable With Nudity
No matter the type of bikini wax, you’ll likely have to remove both your pants and your underwear and get into different positions.
This can seem uncomfortable, but you should know that no one is judging you, and the aestheticians are trained to handle this sensitive area.
If you opt for a simple bikini wax, some salons offer disposable underwear – take them up on this offer because you don’t want wax all over your regular panties.
Tweezing Leftover Hair
Any stray strands of hair leftover can be removed using tweezers. Ask about this beforehand so that you’re prepared. While some salons ask whether you want this service, others simply start plucking.
Know What You Want and Research
One of the most important tips on what to do before you get a bikini wax is to conduct research and know your options.
Deciding what you want beforehand can save you time (and sometimes embarrassment) when you’re at the salon.
Types of Bikini Wax Styles
There are multiple options available when it comes to style. Research these beforehand or ask your aesthetician about them before committing to something.
Bikini Line Wax/Basic Bikini Wax
This is the most common type of bikini wax for beginners and includes removing hair from the sides and top of your panty line.
With this type of wax, there’s no visible hair when you’re in your bikini, and you don’t have to worry about individual strands of hair peeking out.
Full Bikini Wax
Instead of just addressing growth around the panty line, a full bikini wax removes hair from the top, the bottom, and even some from the back to give you a smooth and tidy look.
Brazilian Bikini Wax
A Brazilian bikini wax, also known as the “Hollywood” style, is the deal – all hair around your vagina is removed, and even the butt strip is addressed.
If you’re looking for a completely nude look, this style is for you. You can even customize your look and leave a triangle of hair or a small landing strip as per your preferences.
French Bikini Wax
If you’re not ready to part with all your hair just yet, opt for the French bikini wax. This is basically a Brazilian bikini wax on the front but with a manicured strip left untouched.
Types of Waxes
You should also decide what type of wax you want to use for your bikini area – some women use soft wax, some use hard wax, and some use a mix of both.
If you have a preference, make sure to let your aesthetician know beforehand. If you don’t, feel free to discuss your options with them.
Sanitization
If you’re going to a new salon, check whether they’re double-dipping the applicator into the pot of wax.
If they are, they’re not the right choice for you. This is only acceptable if it’s a small batch used specifically for your bikini area.
Sanitization is an important topic to research before going to the salon or preparing to wax yourself, with accredited salons always wearing gloves during bikini wax procedures.
Prepare The Bikini Area
When you’re thinking of what to do before you get a bikini wax, this is probably the answer you expect since it has to do with the bikini area itself.
Shower
This doesn’t have to do too much with waxing, but it’s always nice to be fresh and clean for your aesthetician. Apart from obvious reasons, this also removes excess oils from the skin.
Exfoliate and Moisturize
This is the most common answer you receive when you ask what to do before you get a bikini wax, and for good reason – skincare is a vital part of your pre-waxing routine.
Having a warm bath before your appointment can make for easier hair removal because it softens the skin.
Exfoliation also makes hair removal easier by getting rid of dead skin cells. However, you must note that this refers to gentle exfoliation – overly harsh scrubbing will do more harm than good.
Exfoliation options include homemade sugar scrubs, store-bought exfoliating scrubs, and gentle dry brushing.
Check Hair Length
If hair isn’t long enough, it might not adhere to the wax and may cause more discomfort. The shorter the hair, the harder it is to pull.
This is why most aestheticians insist that hair must be at least ¼ inch when you come in. In other terms, it’s about two weeks of growth or the length of a grain of rice or a sprinkle.
Manage Your Pain
Waxing can be a painful process, especially in an area as delicate as your bikini line. The following tips can help you manage the pain.
Medicate
If you’re worried about pain, the best thing to do is to take a painkiller or two before your appointment.
A couple of Advil pills 20-25 minutes before your appointment should help take the edge off and reduce inflammation.
Best Practices for Pain Reduction
In addition to taking deep breaths, there are some best practices when it comes to pain reduction. A well-trained aesthetician will use these methods.
Those waxing themselves should keep these in mind to ensure minimal pain. The skin should be pulled taut before waxing and pressed right after removing the wax.
Time It Right
While you may think you can go in for a bikini wax whenever you think you need grooming or before a pool party, there’s actually some calculation involved in the process.
Optimal Hair Length
Before you go get waxed, your hair has to be short enough for the wax to adhere to, i.e., ¼ inch. This isn’t the case when your hair is longer – you can just ask your aesthetician to trim it before waxing.
Period Cycle
Some people schedule their waxing sessions right before or after their period. While this is certainly possible, it should be noted that this time in your cycle makes your skin extremely sensitive and may cause you more discomfort.
Most aestheticians advise clients to schedule their waxing appointment at least 3-5 days before after their period.
A monthly visit coincides perfectly with this and the hair-growth cycle. This is why most women get waxed every 4-5 weeks (or 3-4 weeks for faster growth).
Wear Appropriate Clothing
After your waxing session, you’ll likely have inflamed and irritated skin. While this will go away in a day or two, it’s important to come to your appointment dressed with this in mind.
Loose and Comfortable Clothing
Ditch your yoga pants and skinny jeans for the day. Opt for a dress or loose-fitting pants so that there’s minimal friction and you are comfortable post-wax.
Avoid tight clothes throughout the day so that you minimize the chances of ingrown hair or further irritation.
Breathable Underwear
A pair of comfortable and breathable panties will do wonders for reducing irritation. Soft, cotton panties are generally best for this.
Pre-Wax Dos and Don’ts
Are you wondering what to do before you get a bikini wax? Keep the following dos and don’ts in mind.
Don’t Use Numbing Cream
We have suggested Aspirin for pain management for a sound reason. You may have heard of using numbing creams instead, but this should be avoided – they don’t penetrate the skin and won’t actually aid pain reduction.
Don’t Shave
As much as you want to, don’t shave between bikini waxing appointments. Not only does it result in coarser hair, but it may also cause razor bumps and chafe the skin, making waxing more painful.
Don’t Drink Alcohol or Coffee
Some people have a drink before their first bikini wax appointment, while others drink copious amounts of caffeine.
Both should be avoided because they have the potential to make your bikini wax more uncomfortable.
Don’t Tan
If you want a more bronzed look, take care of the process at least a day or two beforehand. Freshly tanning the area you’re going to wax isn’t a good idea.
Do Tell the Aesthetician About Medications You’re Taking
Certain medications aren’t compatible with waxing and can cause irritation if used prior to waxing. This includes Accutane and antibiotics.
Even prescription skincare like retinoids needs to be reported since it can make your skin more sensitive.
Post-Wax Care
Post-wax care is an integral part of learning what to do before you get a bikini wax. Knowing this information beforehand helps you prepare for the post-wax routine (mentally and supply-wise).
Pain Management
Your aesthetician may apply a soothing cream to help with inflammation, but it’s always good to have a hydrocortisone cream on hand. These are available over the counter and combat both itchiness and inflammation.
Avoid the Sun and the Pool
Freshly waxed skin is sensitive and shouldn’t be exposed to the sun, saltwater, or chlorine.
Ideally, you should wait at least three days before sunbathing or swimming but if you do decide to do so before the full three days, make sure to apply sunscreen to prevent burning.
Never, ever go to the pool or sunbathe the day of your waxing appointment – trust us, you’ll regret it.
Don’t Exercise or Touch the Area
Don’t exercise after your waxing appointment because the resulting sweat and friction can worsen irritation. You should also avoid touching the area frequently in order to prevent spreading bacteria.
Benefits of Waxing Your Bikini Area
Don’t let any of these preparation steps scare you. You decided to get a bikini wax because you believe it’s the best way to remove unwanted skin ahead of summer, and you’ll thank yourself after the process.
Keep the following benefits in mind to understand why millions of women love bikini waxing.
Smoother Skin
Unlike shaving, waxing removes your hair from the root and provides a gentle exfoliation, resulting in smoother skin. You no longer have to deal with razor bumps, ingrown hair, or stubble the next day.
Finer Hair
Long-time waxing enthusiasts know the joy of having their hair grow back finer. As you continue to get waxed, hair growth becomes sparser, and the hair grown is much softer than if you were to shave it.
While shaving does not make your hair thicker (that’s just a myth!), it does cut it at an angle. This is why the hair growth following it feels coarser.
Results Last Longer
The main reason individuals opt for waxing over other hair removal methods is because of how long-lasting the results are.
Because waxing removes hair from the root, it takes longer to grow back than if you were to simply shave it off.
Methods like shaving require regular maintenance, with most women shaving their bikini areas every two to three days. With waxing, this is extended to every three to four weeks.
Physical Exfoliation
When you opt for waxing as a method of hair removal, you don’t just get rid of unwanted hair – you also get a physical exfoliation that removes dead skin cells and makes your skin extremely smooth.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know exactly what to do before you get a bikini wax, the rest of your trips to the salon will be less stressful.
Once you’re comfortable enough with bikini waxing, you may even consider at-home bikini kits or making your own wax. If you’re interested in homemade wax, check out this article on how to make wax at home.