Have you ever been waxed? Most women in the United States have at some point, but their experiences may be limited to a simple eyebrow or facial waxing. As swimsuit season looms near it may be possible that you are considering taking the next step in your beauty regimen and try a Brazilian. Before you make your appointment though, shouldn’t you know just what you are in for?

First let’s start with the basics for anyone who hasn’t gotten on the waxing bandwagon yet. Waxing is a method of hair removal that involves spreading a thin layer of warmed wax across the surface of the skin. A cloth or paper is applied over the wax and quickly pulled off against the direction of the hair growth. New hair will typically not grow back for 2 to 8 weeks. Most areas of the body can be waxed including the eyebrows, arms, legs, face, back and of course, the bikini area.

So how does a Brazilian differ from a standard bikini wax?

A Brazilian wax is notorious because it involves removing all hair from the pelvic region. A bikini wax will typically remove all visible hair that would show when wearing a swimsuit but leave hidden hair behind. Sometimes a thin strip of hair will be left on the pubis and has been nicknamed the landing strip.
A complete of full Brazilian is the complete removal of all hair. This has also been referred to as the sphinx, an ode to the Egyptian hairless cat.

Criticisms and Concerns

As with all waxing, minor discomfort can be experienced due to the rapid removal of hair (especially on a sensitive skin area). Many critics of the Brazilian believe it can make a woman appear under aged. A major concern is the development of ingrown hairs that can lead to infection if the Brazilian is not done properly. Waxing can be done at home but it is safer to have this type of waxing done by a trained professional.

Final Thoughts

When done properly, the Brazilian is a safe and popular treatment. It has become especially popular with younger women who wish to avoid embarrassing hair being exposed during swimsuit season. Many women prefer to go with a traditional bikini wax over a full Brazilian and this is a great alternative for those not looking for complete hair removal. Remember that when getting any type of waxing done, an allergy test on a small patch of skin prior is important prior to a complete application.

Brazilians may have started as a Hollywood fad, but they have spreading across the United States like wildfire. If you are planning to hit the beach this season, don’t forget to hit your local day spa first!