How to Survive a Bikini Wax

If you're sick of the itchy stubble, discomfort and embarrassing missed patches that result from shaving your bikini area, perhaps it's time to take the plunge and get waxed. You may scream in pain or even sweat like a pig during the process, but chances are, you won't be unhappy with the results. Here are a few tips for making this quick but excruciating process a bit less excruciating.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Expect some pain. If you go into a bikini wax expecting it to feel like a manicure, you'll be shocked and disappointed. If you've ever been waxed before, the pain is similar to an upper lip or chin wax, but obviously covering a larger portion of your body. Take some comfort in knowing the pain lasts only for seconds, the way it feels when a Band-Aid is ripped off.

2. Expect some embarrassment if you're not used to other women handling your genital area. An aesthetician will be waxing, powdering and applying lotions and gels to the area next to your vagina. Keep in mind, though, she is dealing with vaginas all day long, so you do not need to feel self-conscious.

3. Take Motrin, Tylenol or another over-the-counter pain medication of your choice to take the edge off the pain. As for taking the edge off the embarrassment factor, a glass of wine might be in order.

4. Wear your bathing suit to your appointment if you only want to remove hairs that would peek out of your bikini bottom. If you are worried about getting lotion or wax on the suit, find underwear with a similar cut. Some salons do provide disposable underwear, so check first whether bringing your own suit or panties is necessary.

5. Explain to the aesthetician exactly what you want waxed. If this is your very first time, a Brazilian wax, which frees the entire perianal area of hair, is probably too intense for you. Indicate whether the purpose of the wax is to wear a bathing suit without hair showing, or simply to have a neatly groomed crotch.

6. Close your eyes as the aesthetician applies warm wax to the hair and then rips it off quickly. You'll feel a sharp pain that quickly passes, and then a rush of endorphins.

7. Ask the aesthetician to apply a numbing gel to the area after it's been waxed to reduce any lingering pain and to promote healing.

8. Repeat as desired every three to six weeks to maintain a hair-free bikini area. Pluck rather than shave hairs that grow in between waxings.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all aestheticians are equally gentle. Ask friends to recommend someone whose touch is both soft and quick, because the only thing worse than a rough "waxologist" is one who takes too long to rip the hair off.
• Some types of wax are considered more gentle than others. Green wax, and soft, pink wax that looks like bubblegum or Silly Putty can be kinder than the traditional honey-colored variety.
• Tip your aesthetician 15 to 20 percent, the industry standard.
• While a glass of wine or even a shot of vodka might relax you, do not drink to the point of intoxication prior to your waxing appointment, especially if you must drive to the salon.
• Avoid sunbathing for 24 hours after your waxing appointment; the bikini area will be sensitive and more susceptible to burning.
• Don't shave for at least a week prior to your wax appointment. Short stubble can't be removed by wax.

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