Q&A for How to Give Yourself a Brazilian Wax

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  • Question
    When should you not get a Brazilian wax?
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Expert Answer
    If you have open sores, pimples, or infection, you should stay away from waxing until healed. Otherwise, your bacteria will spread and that might worsen your problems.
  • Question
    Is it true that hot waxing for a long time can cause the skin to age faster and lose elasticity?
    Community Answer
    It can if it's done incorrectly. It would be best to get it done professionally at a good salon.
  • Question
    How can I make it less painful?
    Community Answer
    Apply baby powder to the area before waxing so the wax will stick more to the hair and less to your skin when waxing.
  • Question
    Does waxing reduce hair growth?
    Community Answer
    Over time, it will reduce hair growth.
  • Question
    How long does a Brazilian wax last?
    Community Answer
    It can last for about two weeks, but it really depends on how quickly your hair grows.
  • Question
    I saw a woman online use a ball of wax to remove hair in her bikini area. What is that method?
    Community Answer
    I believe it was hard sugar wax you saw. Much more malleable, just an alternative to the strips.
  • Question
    Is a Brazilian wax safe?
    Community Answer
    Yes, a Brazilian wax is completely safe if you follow the directions. There will be be no long lasting effects.
  • Question
    What kind of oil or lotion is the best to use afterwards?
    Community Answer
    Anything soothing to the skin will work, including coconut oil, jojoba oil, and unscented lotions.
  • Question
    Will waxing leave me completely smooth?
    Community Answer
    If you get it done right. Getting it professionally done is the best route to go because the home kits are hard to set up and make a mess. If you use a home kit make sure you read through all the directions.
  • Question
    I'm 15 and really hairy. I've tried shaving but the hair grows back in a day. My mother won't buy me wax or let me get it professionally done because she says it's too expensive. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Buying a waxing kit from the store isn't as expensive as it is to have it done professionally. Save up some money and buy it yourself.
  • Question
    If I just shaved and my hair is really short can I still do the waxing method?
    Community Answer
    No, you have to wait until your hair is about 1/4 inch long, or the wax cannot properly grab onto the hair.
  • Question
    Can this be used in between your legs as well?
    Community Answer
    Yes. As long as you avoid getting anything in your vagina, it should be safe.
  • Question
    Is this safe for a 17-year-old, and will it cause any side effects?
    Community Answer
    I started waxing at the age of 17. I am now 18 and I have not seen/felt any side effects.
  • Question
    What if the wax gets stuck in my pubic area?
    Community Answer
    Baby oil or coconut oil can be rubbed on the area and then washed off to remove the wax.
  • Question
    How do I make sure my hair will grow back after giving myself a Brazilian wax?
    Community Answer
    Your hair will grow back on its own, though it may take two weeks or more. Hair growth will be finer as well.
  • Question
    Is cold wax suitable for use when performing a Brazilian wax?
    Community Answer
    No. It needs to be warm so that it's able to get a hold on the hairs.
  • Question
    Could I use numbing cream first on the area I want to wax?
    Community Answer
    Yes, definitely. That can help with the pain.
  • Question
    How do I start a career in becoming a waxing specialist?
    Community Answer
    You might need to go to a beauty school or take a course in beauty procedures, and once you have a waxing certificate you could set up a business or go to beauty salons and ask if they have waxing jobs. You can also start a business at home.
  • Question
    I'm a guy wanting a Brazilian wax. How do I approach salons about this service?
    Community Answer
    You can just call and ask if they provide Brazilians for men. No problem.
  • Question
    Is it normal to have a little blood during waxing?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Sure, it happens. Just make sure to treat the wound correctly. Wash your hands, wash the wound, clot it with a sterile cloth, disinfect it, apply an ointment meant for skin treatment, apply a cloth and keep it in place with band-aids or bandages or the like to cover the wound for a while. Finally, wash your hands again. Learn what you did that caused the wounds and try to avoid that; e.g. if you pulled too hard, pull less hard next time.
  • Question
    Can I use Veet cold strips to wax my pubic hair?
    Community Answer
    I don't recommend using Veet cold strips. The wax on those strips isn't usually very effective, as it melts down and cools down badly. You could use them on your legs, but given the sensitivity of the bikini area, I wouldn't use them there.
  • Question
    How can I make hard sugar wax and utilize that as well?
    Community Answer
    Using the same ingredients (water, sugar, lemon), cook it longer than you do if your using strips. Roughly to a honey color. It's difficult to get it to this perfect point since it's so easy to overcook. If done right, though, once the sugar mixture cooks it becomes a hard, pliable wax that you can use without the use of strips.
  • Question
    Can I store the wax and then reuse it later? If so, how?
    Community Answer
    Sugar wax lasts for less than two weeks. You can store it in a container with a lid in the fridge. When you want to use it again, put it in the microwave for no more than 10 seconds or let it sit at room temperature for a while.
  • Question
    Is it okay to use wax strips, such as Veet?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is since they are specifically designed to remove hair.
  • Question
    What happens if I use the wax while its still runny?
    Community Answer
    It will not stick to the hairs correctly to pull them out. The wax needs to be semi-thick and warm so it can grasp onto the hairs.
  • Question
    Do I need to exfoliate before waxing?
    Community Answer
    No. It's best to exfoliate after waxing to solve the problem of ingrown hairs.
  • Question
    I thought baby powder can cause cancer? What is another alternative?
    Community Answer
    Baby powder doesn't cause cancer, that is a myth. But you could also use a numbing cream.
  • Question
    What could I use instead of baby powder?
    Community Answer
    You could use baby oil, coconut oil, lotion or talcum powder.
  • Question
    Will bumps appear on my skin after waxing?
    Community Answer
    It differs from one person's skin to another. However, you can prevent itchy rashes on your skin by applying ice immediately after the waxing, or taking a shower with cold water.
  • Question
    Will a Brazilian wax make my pubic area lighter and smoother?
    Patricia Kroes
    Community Answer
    It can be that waxing this area causes pigmentation. There are some special waxes (e.g. including Vitamin C) that will counteract this process. Some people are not sensitive at all to this, it will make it lighter as there is no hair (assuming your hair is darker than your skin) and it will make it a lot smoother if you do it in the right way, clean and caring.
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