How Does Bikini Wax Work?

As denim waistlines get lower, there arose a need to get rid of unnecessary hair in the pubic area. There are many options, but bikini waxing is the most popular. It is also a process that many do not understand.

Preparing the Area

First a woman will have to undress from the waist down. For a regular bikini wax, practitioners supply paper thong panties. However, those getting a Brazilian bikini wax must remain naked.

After undressing, your hair is examined. It must be between a quarter and a half of an inch to achieve a proper waxing. The practitioner will cut longer hairs, but the wax will have trouble adhering to shorter hair, so you will be asked to come back after a few weeks of growth. The pubic area will be dusted with a powder that prevents wax adhering to the skin.

Wax on, Wax off

The wax is heated and then applied using wooden or plastic applicators. A cloth strip is pressed firmly over the hot wax, which is allowed to cool. Practitioners usually wax one small area at time. After it cools, the wax will adhere to both the cloth and your hair. At this point, the practitioner may call in an assistant or may ask you to help pull the skin taut.

She will pull the cloth off the area, taking with it the hardened wax and the hair stuck to it. By pulling in the opposite direction of the hair's growth pattern, the practitioner ensures that the hair will stay away for up to six weeks.

Wax and Repeat

This procedure is repeated until the offending hair is gone. Practitioners begin in the front of the body and work toward the back, asking you to turn in various positions to maximize access to the hair. Brazilian waxes are more intimate and require more intimate positioning, but the results are all the same.

Finishing Touch

After waxing, the practitioner may use tweezers to pluck the hairs that he or she may have missed. To soothe the newly waxed skin that is probably smarting at this point, a soothing lotion is applied to the skin. Before you leave the facility, the practitioner will go over aftercare instructions that you must follow. These instructions include tips on controlling ingrown hairs and warning against too much sun.