When it comes to Brazilian waxing, proper preparation can make all the difference. Not only does it enhance the effectiveness of your waxing session, but it also minimizes discomfort and helps prevent common issues like irritation and ingrown hairs.
At Medicine Mama, we’re here to create a space where you can truly come to understand the importance of treating your body with care and respect, especially when it comes to your vulva. That's why we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to help you prepare for your Brazilian wax.
What Are the Basics of Brazilian Waxes?
A Brazilian wax involves removing hair from the entire bikini area, including the front, back, and everything in between. Sometimes, it can be intimidating, especially for first-timers. However, knowing what to expect can ease your nerves.
Let’s start with the basics. It’s crucial to select a reputable salon that maintains high standards of hygiene and employs skilled estheticians. This ensures a better waxing experience and guards against infections and skin trauma.
The environment and the professionalism of the esthetician play significant roles in the comfort and success of your waxing session. A good salon will ensure privacy and use high-quality wax that minimizes pain and reduces skin irritation.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions! A good esthetician will be happy to discuss the procedure beforehand, allowing you to voice any concerns and specify your preferences. This open communication ensures the waxing is tailored to your comfort level and skin type, making the experience — and your skin — as smooth as possible.
Let’s Talk Pre-Wax Considerations
Before you book your appointment, consider your skin’s sensitivity. If you have particularly sensitive skin, you might want to discuss options with your esthetician, like using a different wax formula.
Timing is also key. Try to schedule your appointment a few days after your menstrual period, as skin tends to be less sensitive.
Additionally, avoid using retinoids, salicylic acid, or other harsh exfoliants a few days before your appointment to prevent excessive skin irritation. The goal is to have skin primed for waxing, which means it should be healthy, non-irritated, and resilient.
Inform your esthetician about any skin issues, like eczema or breakouts, at your chosen waxing area, as they can advise whether it’s safe to proceed or better to wait. Keeping your skin in top condition involves staying hydrated and avoiding sun exposure before your appointment, which can make your skin more sensitive to waxing.
Step-by-Step Brazilian Wax Preparation
Preparing your skin for a Brazilian wax involves more than a quick shower right before your appointment. The better you are at preparing, the less likely it is that you’ll have a negative time during your wax.
1. Cleansing
When cleaning the area, avoid hot water, as it can increase sensitivity and inflammation. Instead, use lukewarm water and a product specifically designed for the skin of your vulva, like our VMAGIC® Vulva Wash, designed to clean without disrupting your skin's natural barrier.
This product not only cleanses effectively but also supports the natural pH of the vulva, making it perfect for sensitive skin. It’s free from irritating fragrances and harsh chemicals, ensuring your skin is prepped without being stripped of its natural oils.
Ensuring the area is clean helps prevent infection and ensures the wax adheres properly to the hair and not the skin, which can reduce pain during hair removal.
2. Exfoliation
Two days before your wax, start exfoliating the area gently to remove dead skin cells. This helps to free any hairs that may be starting to grow inward, ensuring a cleaner wax and reducing the chances of ingrown hairs afterward.
Proper exfoliation can be achieved using a soft cloth or a mild exfoliating scrub specifically designed for sensitive skin, but even better is opting for a gentle product that’s made not just for sensitive skin — but for the skin of your vulva.
Our VMAGIC® Grooming Polish is a finely milled sugar scrub that’s perfect for sensitive skin. It not only exfoliates but also moisturizes, preparing your skin for a clean wax. This dual action ensures a more effective wax and enhances your skin's overall health by boosting circulation and new cell growth, which are essential for maintaining smooth, soft skin post-wax.
Scoop out a quarter-size amount of the polish, mix it with water, and gently massage it onto the areas you plan to wax. Rinse off thoroughly with warm water. By removing these barriers, the wax can more easily access the hair, resulting in a cleaner pull and fewer missed hairs.
3. Moisturizing
Moisturizing is an essential step in our everyday routines. While moisturizing day-of can interfere with the wax, it is important to ensure we are moisturizing daily. VMAGIC® Vulva Balm is an excellent choice for this purpose. It’s designed with organic ingredients to relieve dryness and irritation, making it perfect for daily use.
The rich blend of natural oils and antioxidants in the balm nourishes your skin, helping to restore its barrier and reduce the chance of post-waxing redness and bumps. Apply a small amount to the vulvar skin immediately after your wax, gently massaging it to moisturize and soothe.
4. Hair Length Check
For the wax to effectively grip the hair, it should be about a quarter-inch long. If it’s too short, the wax may not be able to grab onto the hair; if it’s too long, you might experience more pain during the session.
Trim if necessary, but be cautious not to cut the hair too short. Correct hair length ensures the waxing is not only effective but also as pain-free as possible. If it’s too long, it can lead to tugging and increased discomfort.
5. Pain Management
Waxing can be uncomfortable, so consider natural pain management techniques, such as taking an over-the-counter pain reliever about an hour before your appointment. Some salons also offer numbing creams as an option.
Preparing for discomfort with these methods can greatly enhance your waxing experience, allowing you to remain relaxed and reduce the body's stress response, which can otherwise heighten sensitivity to pain.
6. Clothing and Fabric Choices
Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment to avoid irritation after waxing. Natural fabrics like cotton are ideal as they allow the skin to breathe, reducing the risk of irritation and discomfort post-wax.
Tight clothing can lead to chafing and contribute to ingrown hairs, undermining the smooth results you want from your waxing session. Opting for breathable, soft fabrics post-wax helps ensure your skin remains calm and clear as it recovers.
What About Post-Wax Care?
After your waxing session, proper care of the waxed area is essential to maintain smooth, healthy skin and prevent common issues, such as bumps, ingrown hairs, and infections. Immediately following your appointment, it's important to avoid activities and products that could irritate the skin.
As we’ve already touched on, tight clothing can rub against the sensitive area. But hot baths can also exacerbate inflammation, and intense exercise can increase sweat and friction. So, to avoid unnecessary discomfort and irritation, steer clear of these things immediately after.
For the same reasons, during the first 24 hours after waxing, it’s also wise to steer clear of swimming pools and hot tubs, as the chlorinated water can cause significant irritation to freshly waxed skin.
Sunbathing is also good to avoid because UV exposure can harm the vulnerable skin, potentially leading to sunburn or skin darkening. So, if you’re getting your Brazilian to prepare for a pool or beach trip, make sure you do it in advance!
Once you’re free to shower or bathe normally, resume the skincare routine we talked about for your pre-wax preparation. Using our gentle cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturizing products will help keep your skin glowing and smooth as it recovers and minimize discomfort or ingrown hairs as the pubic hair starts to grow back in.
The Bottom (Bikini) Line
Preparing properly for a Brazilian wax ensures not only a smoother procedure but also a more comfortable recovery (and even better results).
Every step, from selecting quality products to discussing your skin’s needs with your esthetician, contributes to the overall success of your waxing experience. Embrace these practices to protect and care for your skin, making each waxing session a step toward more empowered and informed body care.
It’s all about looking after your body with gentle and nurturing products and embracing these small acts of self-care as a way to celebrate and honor your body at every opportunity.
Sources:
Waxing Safety Tips | Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
What You Should Know About Getting a Brazilian Wax | Cleveland Clinic
Most Commonly Asked Questions When Using Retinoids | Plastic Surgeons of Washington University
The Effects Of Ultraviolet Exposure On Skin Melanin Pigmentation | National Library of Medicine