Catchy title, right? A girl’s gotta do what girls gotta do, including bikini maintenance. As painful as it might sound or be, you will be happy you did it.

Finding the Right Waxer

This is the most important decision. The skill, personality, and attention to detail are essential factors. It doesn’t matter where you go or how much you spend, it’s all about the individual Esthetician. Ask your friends, read reviews and even visit the place if you’re so inclined. If you have a bad experience with one, don’t immediately give up on the spa. They may have a talented waxer in another room. Estheticians have thick skin, and they won’t be offended if you try out one of their co-workers. 

Hair Growth Stages

There are three stages of hair growth, which means some hair is growing in while others are ready to fall out. This may affect the results of the first couple of waxing treatments you receive because there may be some underlying hairs that pop out within a week.  In the beginning, stray or stubbly hairs are normal due to the various growth stages. Hair in the bikini area will grow out at an average rate of 21-28 days. Getting on a regular waxing schedule of every 3-4 weeks will allow the hair stages to synchronize and stray hairs will be less problematic.

There are no two bikinis alike. Some people have an easier time with hair removal than others. It all depends on whether or not you have curly, straight, coarse, fine or dense hair. One friend may tell you it’s extremely painful and the other will say it’s a piece of cake. Every bikini is unique, so brace yourself and go for it.

Six Pre-wax Tips

#1 Walking into a spa with a double-latte in hand is not ideal. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and causes vasodilation, making people hypersensitive to pain. You’ll want to remember this tidbit if you highlight or color your hair or heading to the dentist. If you want to err on the safe side, leave caffeinated drinks until after a spa, salon or doctor’s appointment.

#2 If you’re a pill-popper, choose ibuprofen over aspirin for pre-wax pain management. Take it with food at least one hour before your waxing service. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of ibuprofen and aspirin allow for a decrease in pain, redness, and swelling. However, the antiplatelet effects of aspirin reduce blood clotting, making it more likely for you to have little pinpoint dots of blood on the cotton pad. A little bit of bleeding during waxing is completely normal and should not cause alarm. This happens because the root bulb of a hair is larger than the pore it’s being pulled from and is connected to the blood supply to the skin. When it pops out, it may bring a tiny amount of blood with it, and your Esthetician will know how to handle this.

#3 Drinking alcohol before a waxing service may numb your mind, but it doesn’t assist in true pain reduction and, in fact, can make you bleed a wee bit more.

#4 Have a full stomach or at least not an empty one before a wax. Your body reacts to pain better when it has been properly nourished because your body is in a relaxed state.

#5 To reduce potential inflammation and redness, I recommend eating a banana, drinking OJ or apple juice. Consuming foods rich in potassium and other electrolytes balance out your body’s ion levels. These ions allow for nutrients to enter your cells, which help to inflammation.

#6 Clients tend to feel more pain if they’ve shaved between waxing visits. Plus, the hair comes in feeling thicker due to the blunt edge of the shaved hair. So, unless your partner surprises you with a vacation, wait for the wax.

Thank you for reading The Freckle blog! Please subscribe to stay informed of all things relating to skin care. Also, check out my website and YouTube channel for product news and recommendations.

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