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Style & Beauty

How embarrassing and painful is a bikini wax?

31 replies

snowkitten · 03/05/2011 08:13

We are going away to stay with friends in Madrid during the Summer and I anticipate us spending a fair bit of time round the pool with the children. I want not to have to worry about my bikini line but am sick to death of shaving. Does a bikini wax hurt? I have heard it does! Also, I imagine it is pretty embarrassing as the waxers aren't medical professionals are they? Just beauty therapists/salon girls etc. What do you actually have to do?

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Librashavinganotherbiscuit · 03/05/2011 08:15

Waxers will have seen more bits than most medical professionals (speciality dependent of course), they really won't care. Pain varies from person to person, I find it a little ouch but it lasts about 5 seconds and if you take paracetamol about 30minutes before and don't have it done during your period it is suppose to help.

Librashavinganotherbiscuit · 03/05/2011 08:16

Unless you have just had a bath with a glitter lush bath bomb, in which case they might have a giggle afterwards with their friends.

snowkitten · 03/05/2011 08:17

Ok. thanks. Do you wear underwear when they are waxing? I don;t think I could bare all!

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BecauseImWorthIt · 03/05/2011 08:19

If you're just going for a simple bikini wax it's not embarrassing at all! You keep your knickers on - they may put a tissue under your knicker line, to protect them from wax, then they put the hot wax on/rip it off. You lie on your back and bring your knee up then let your leg lie on the bad, so your legs are apart and the therapist can more easily get the wax on/off.

It's only if you're wanting something more extreme that it would be more embarrassing, e.g. a Hollywood or a Brazilian. A straightforward waxing is no more embarrassing then a leg wax - you're not exposing anything, and the therapist will be doing at least a dozen a day.

It is painful, but it's over very quickly - and it's much better than shaving as there's no itchy re-growth.

BecauseImWorthIt · 03/05/2011 08:20

that will be let your leg lie on the bed obviously.

I have clearly got up too soon.

She3po · 03/05/2011 08:24

No embarrassment, you keep your knickers on. I don't find it that painful either after the first strip comes off I tend to numb to it. First is definitely the worst. Would recommend washing afterwards with warm water, had a bad experience after a post-wax 6 hour bus journey [ouch]

snowkitten · 03/05/2011 08:38

She3po - ouch! thanks all- I don't want anything too exmeme! Just a 'tidy up' I suppose. So, how long before I am going away should I have it done? Is there any redness afterwards? I am hoping that if I have it done a couple of days before our trip, then I won't hvae to worry about any 'strays' for a few weeks? maybe I'll do a trial run before I go away?

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Ooopsadaisy · 03/05/2011 08:42

I have a Brazilian every two months.

I keep my thong on and the beautician just sort of works around me, lifting the thong whenever she needs to. She is extremely discreet and polite about it.

When I first went to her I hid my embarassment by making remarks about what a horrible part of her job this must be but she was very reassuring that absolutely nothing bothered her. She said something like she was just happy doing a job that made other people feel better about themselves which I thought was rather nice.

I lie on my back and she "arranges" me as she needs "access to my underneathy bits!" For a simple bikini wax it will be much less "arranging" as everything is readily available! She may ask you to open your legs so she can do the inside of the top of your legs if you have any hair there - it really depends on how thorough you want the job.

It does hurt the first time but less and less each time because the hairs get weaker and thinner. Take a couple of paracetomal about a half hour before you go.

Also have some Aloe Vera gel on hand at home to use afterwards. It helps to sooth the redness.

Also use Tendskin to prevent ingrowing harir if you are prone to this (it's my personal hell). I use an online recipe for Tendskin and make my own as I use it regularly.

She3po · 03/05/2011 08:46

I would do it the day before you go but mine always grow in within two weeks so take a razor. I don't get too red and it fades within a few hours but a trial run sounds like a good idea as someone else will comment who has a totally different experience.

snowkitten · 03/05/2011 09:16

Thanks all - oopsdaisy - I don;t think I could handle a Brazilian first time but once I have sampled a regular wax I would like a more thorough job - esp for the Summe months. I am so sick to death of shaving and having red spots around my bikini line - it almost looks worse than a few strays!
Thansk for you advice - I shall book one soon

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Boozilla · 03/05/2011 09:23

I'd go for a brazilian if I were you, in for a penny in for a pound!

Obviously it's a bit uncomfortable but any good therapist should not make you feel embarrassed. This is a part of their job and I have never yet met one who made me feel awkward. Usually we just chat about stuff while they get on with it! It is a painful but it's very quick. I heard that drinking a coffee beforehand also helps boost your pain threshold!

It's really worth it, I have brazilians regularly and would certainly never go back to shaving.

Have a brazilian...go on...

snowkitten · 03/05/2011 09:25

Boozilla - you make it sound so tempting . Maybe second time round . As I am a waxing virgin - so to speak - baby steps for me! I have to get over the self consciousness bit of it first

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Ooopsadaisy · 03/05/2011 12:47

snowkitten - the Tendskin solution that I mentioned is brilliant for the red spots that you mention. I used to suffer dreadful ingrowing hairs but Tendskin changed my life (she gushed dramatically). It's a bit pricey but I now make my own - google the recipe - it's just as good.

Don't be afraid of the waxing. You just feel so clean afterwards - it's worth the momentary discomfort.

sprinkles77 · 03/05/2011 16:19

bite the bullet. go brazillian. if you're a bit wild a bit of a trim will make things less painful. I use my husbands beard trimmer on the longest setting about 2 weeks before. or you could use nail scissors. Oh and 2 nurafen an hour before. it's a moment's pain and so nice after.

TheWestCoastLotus · 03/05/2011 16:23

You know, considering how pricey waxing is, why not think about laser hair removal? Then you never have to worry about it again. Prices have really come down in the last few years. I had my bikini line and underarms done five years ago and it was the best money I've ever spend on myself. I had three or four sessions in a short period time and most of my hair was gone. Then had a few touch-ups and now it's gone completely. Really, really worth it!!!

snowkitten · 04/05/2011 07:36

oops - will google that recipe sprinkles - I hate that chafing feeling!
sprinkles - I bet your husband loves you!!! Nail scissors making my eyes water!
TWCL laser hair removal? Do you really need never have to worry again? Sounds v appealing. I wil linvestigate.
Thanks all for your advice -

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FriskyBivalves · 04/05/2011 10:07

Mine's a homemade Tendskin query (sorry for possible hijack, but it is still related...)

Am 16 wks pregnant. Any ideas of whether it's safe to be wiping aspirin solution up and down my ingrowing hairy bumpy legs? Could it pass through my skin - in short, have I just bubbled up a great bottle of Tendskin for nothing????

Thanking you kindly...

Ooopsadaisy · 04/05/2011 10:12

Frisky - Proper branded Tendskin says "not tested for use during pregnancy/nursing."

Otherwise, I'm sorry I can't advise as I didn't discover this wonderful potion until after I'd had my DCs.

If you have a friendly local pharmacist, I would ask them. Tell them all the ingredients you've used and they should advise. They usually haven't heard of Tendskin so you will have to explain.

FriskyBivalves · 04/05/2011 10:15

Ahhh, oopsadaisy thanks very much. I think I won't risk it! Better safe than sorry. Would be the silliest reason in the world to jeopardise things...can you imagine explaining to DH...

FB

Ooopsadaisy · 04/05/2011 10:23

I agree, Frisky - not worth risking it.

Add it to that long list of things to do after the baby is born!

In the meantime, why not ask a friend to test-drive the solution for you? It's also recommended for men who get shaving bumps around their necks. My DP uses it (but would never admit it!)

Collegemum38 · 04/05/2011 18:45

Bikini wax is an absolute breeze. If you want to experience a painful wax get your shins waxed.

Bikini wax is quick and not painful.

The more often you wax the slower and thinner the regrowth. The 1st few times you get it done you may find that it gorws back fairly quickly.

sprinkles77 · 04/05/2011 19:55

snowkitten, DH loves the fact I use his beard trimmers on my pubes! So much so he offered to do it for me (never again!) and then did his too. OMG that looked bad!

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FriskyBivalves · 04/05/2011 19:57

Oops, it's gone on the list with pate, unpasteurised cheese, vats of red wine etc etc.

Meanwhile, have divvied out my potion among three lucky mums at dd's school, all of whom have promised feedback!

Havingkittens · 04/05/2011 21:48

Frisky, they don't recommend using anything containing Salicylic Acid during pregnancy which Tend Skin contains - it's one of the main ingredients of Asprin too, hence that being in the recipe for home made Tend Skin.

I'd recommend getting some of those exfoliating gloves to use with a moisturising shower gel in the meantime.

snowkitten · 04/05/2011 21:57

sprinkles!!! at your husband's attempt at vagazziling!
I am pleased to hear that the more you wax the slower the regrowth. I will start soon so that by the time we go away things should be more 'under control'!

Have googled Tendskin and gonna get ingredients ASAP!

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