9 Things You Need To Know Before Your First Brazilian or Bikini Wax

This weekend, I got my first Brazilian wax ever. Actually, it was my first wax ever, period. I was lucky enough to be born with eyebrows that require zero maintenance, and I’ve never been very, uh, hairy anywhere. I’ve stuck with shaving my whole life, but here’s the thing: I absolutely HATE shaving (hate, hate, hate), but I don’t like having hair either, so… yeah, it’s difficult.

I’ve been super curious about waxing since high school when my friends started returning from the nail salon with thin, red eyebrows, and I started wondering what it was like. Waxing seemed like the solution to my shaving woes, but the thought of it also terrified me. After seeing the 40-Year-Old Virgin, I was convinced that I could never stand that kind of pain. Having hot wax poured on my skin only to have clumps of hair ripped out afterwards? No thanks. Doing it on my legs or armpits seemed bad enough – I couldn’t even think about what a Brazilian or bikini wax would feel like. It seemed like pure torture.

But then, one day, my best friend told me about how she had started getting Brazilian waxes. I gasped in horror, but she insisted they weren’t that bad. I started thinking about how nice it would be to stop attempting to maneuver a razor down there once a week and instead of dealing with one 15-minute session of pain followed by 3-4 hairless weeks. It was very tempting, and so, I decided to go for it. I got my first Brazilian wax the other day, and, well, I’ll probably never go back to shaving down there. I’ve been converted.

I obviously know what it feels like to be curious but scared of waxing down there. If you’re in the same boat that I was in for years, trust me: you should read this. Of course, no girl has to shave down there at all if she doesn’t want to – but there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to be hairless down there! So, if you’re thinking of going for it, here are 9 things you need to know before your first Brazilian (or bikini) wax. Good luck!

(Related: Why The Full Bush Brazilian Wax Is The Best Pubic Hair Trend)

You’ll Be Totally Exposing Yourself

Yes, you are going to be just as naked as you think you will be. And, yes, your waxer is going to touch, stare at and be very close to your female genitals and butt. When I walked in the room, my waxer was like, “Okay, take off your pants and underwear and sit down!” Then she started a convo with me, and I was like, “Uh, right now?” It was definitely a little weird to get basically naked and show the most private part of myself to a stranger… but when you think about it, it’s sort of just like going to a gynecologist or other doctor. Depending on comfortable you are, it might feel a little weird to expose yourself in this way.

The Butt Part Hurts The Least

The difference between a Brazilian wax and a bikini wax is this: a Brazilian wax includes waxing your butt. I know that sounds horrifying and insane, and I was definitely stressed about it before I went in. I thought that that part might hurt the worst, but I was wrong – I barely even felt anything! My waxer told me that there aren’t nerve endings there, which is why it doesn’t hurt. She also told me that a lot of girls giggle so much because it actually tickles them – she has to make them lay on their stomachs for it.

You Can’t Shave For At Least 5 Days Before

The most annoying thing about waxing is that before you do it, you have to let the hair grow in. If you don’t, the wax has nothing to grab onto, and it’s not going to work. You can’t shave down there (or wherever you get waxed) for at least five days. My waxer said the hair should be about a quarter-inch, or as she explained it, about the size of a grain of rice.

You Shouldn’t Have Sex or Work Out For At Least 24 Hours After

If you’re planning on surprising your BF with a steamy sexy session after your wax, stop. I don’t know if everyone abides by this rule, but my waxer (I went to European Wax Center, FYI) told me that I shouldn’t have sex, work out or do anything that would make me very sweaty down there for at least 24 hours. She said doing so can cause friction, which can lead to irritation down there. So, if you’re planning a sexy night in, get waxed at least a day or two before instead of the morning of.

It IS A Little Awkward

I’m not going to lie to you, it is definitely a little bit awkward to be laying on a chair with your legs spread and a stranger putting wax inside your female genitals while you struggle to make small talk… especially your first time when you don’t really know what to expect. I found that talking to my waxer made things feel a little more comfortable. When it got quiet, I felt weird, so I kept asking her questions and discussing completely random things. It should only take about 15 minutes, so it’s really not that long, and I hear that eventually, the awkwardness just goes away.

Shower First If You’re Anxious

If you’re really nervous about being naked, like I was, shower right before you go. I was totally freaked out about showing my private areas to a stranger, so I took a long shower before I went. It definitely made me feel more comfortable because I knew that I smelled nice and I looked clean.

Buy Ingrown Hair Serum

Two of my friends told me that waxing down there gives them ingrown hairs. My waxer also strongly recommended that I buy this ingrown hair serum (the one to the right is from European Wax Center, where I go). I wasn’t about to take any chances, so I bought it. You can apply this every day to prevent ingrown hairs or if you already have them, apply this twice a day (morning and night). It will make you feel more smooth and protect that very sensitive area.

Your Waxer Won’t Judge Your Female Genitals

Your waxer is a professional. This is her job! Basically, what I’m trying to say is that she spends days looking at all different kinds of female genitals and butts. She isn’t going to judge yours or think it’s weird – she’s seen it all! Once I stopped thinking of my waxer as a girl my age and started thinking of her as on the same level as a gynecologist, I felt a lot better about stripping down.

It Really Doesn’t Hurt As Bad As You Think It Does!

I’m not just saying this: waxing down there really doesn’t hurt as much as you think it will. I swear! I was convinced that it would be the most painful thing I’ve ever gone through, but it wasn’t even close. Your waxer will put hot wax on you, which honestly feels great. It’s warm and soothing. When she rips it off, it does hurt (it stings), but that pain only lasts a few seconds. And I’ve heard from many people, including my waxer, that the more you go, the less it hurts. She told me that as you go more often, the root stops growing in, and there isn’t as much hair to pull out. So don’t stress!

Now watch this video for even more vag waxing info:

Have you ever gotten a Brazilian or bikini wax before? How did it go? Would you ever get one? What did I miss? Tell me in the comments!