I'm a waxing virgin, and I want it all off. What do I need to know?!

[KatpissEverdeen]

Want to whip it all off downstairs, as a surprise for my DH as we're going on a romantic weekend away next week.

I have never waxed or been waxed and I'm worried, not only about the pain, but also the indignity (although I've had a child, so I guess that went years ago!) and also the regrowth uncomfortableness, particularly around the a-hole and the bits closer to the inner vulva.

Any tips, tricks or general advice?

Really this. I think all the hairs were gone but the rash was awful. Never again.

I just use the cream and do at home myself. I’m too tight to pay for it and I’m not good with pain 🫣

To me, this sounds like a result poor practices in a salon rather than the norm. Sister, a number of friends as well as me are waxing regulars and never experienced this.

Make sure it’s Lycon wax, this barely causes any pain. I’d never have a wax unless they use Lycon. Other hot waxes are poor in comparison.

Oh just thought of another thing - my hairs started showing again within a few days, nothing like the 3 weeks people talk about. Wasn’t worth the pain and subsequent itching.

Hair does grow! Waxing won’t achieve miracles but the regrowth is softer than when you shave.

Honestly waxing was unpleasant, itchy regrowth, red, weird effect. Laser- no worries

Do NOT skip the baby oil before you apply the wax.

Maybe check DH likes the little girl look before 'surprising' him

Stubble, ingrown hairs that might lead to spots of pus-filled abscesses, mmn lovely

@PineappleTime
I have tried it, I didn't like it. As I said, each to their own, it's my opinion and that opinion is not wrong.

I'm clean shaven by my choice, not for men - have been all my life. Mostly men have never said anything but once a guy stated he had a preference for hair, and I rejected it.

@NoCloudsAllowed - Re: “ Little girl look“ (allegedly): Do you remove leg hair and/or underarm hair? If the answer is yes, then your “little girl” comment carries no weight, any more than a man shaving his face looks like a little boy.

Pus filled abscesses? Spots? Something has gone very wrong there. Plus waxing can treat ingoing hairs.

The opprobrium on waxing threads always makes me laugh.

I don’t know why some women are so offended by others’ choice to wax. The same old nonsense about looking like a child (it would take more than a bald fanny to make me look like a child)/plucked chicken (nope, it’s all smooth)/rashes/ingrown hairs (nope to all of these).

I love the feeling of being completely waxed. I love never having any stragglers sticking out of my swimwear. And as others have said, oral sex is on another level when there’s no hair. 😉

I get an actual bikini wax (edges off only) a couple of times a year if I'm going to be wearing a bikini in public. I get it done the day before - the day of I usually get some raised goosebump-like pimples, for the next day or two it's fine, and after that I start getting ingrown hairs and raised red spots that last about 2-3 weeks. They're not itchy or painful but it really looks bad, like a disease, and I've followed all the ingrown hair advice online and nothing seems to prevent it. I never have this problem with waxing any other body parts, including armpits. In my case it doesn't matter because no-one ever sees my crotch anyway But for this reason I'd never get it done before a sexy weekend unless I was 100% sure I could time it perfectly.

As for a full Hollywood, I've had it by accident a couple of times due to miscommunications in non-English speaking countries It's not pleasant but it's more of a sharp intake of breath kind of pain, it's not like you'll be lying there screaming in agony. I agree with the PP who said you should be sure your husband is into it first, though - personally I don't love the look and would be a bit put off to be confronted with a surprise baldy fanny (obviously entirely my girlfriend's choice blah blah, just stating my personal preference). You don't want to go through all that for nothing!

Totally this. I hated getting waxed but it does look mint! And sexy. I find it more feminine but once got berated on here for saying that.

I have a fantastic waxing lady, makes me v comfortable despite an awkward exchange. Depending on your cycle when it can hurt, my Hollywood is done in 20-30 mins. I used to take paracetamol beforehand but don't need to now. Looks fab for a week then the regrowth is itchy as hell. Then on the lookout for ingrowers.

Despite all this I now prefer to be hairfree and get it done every 6 weeks.

got a French one done before, so they tidy a bit in past where if you wore a bikini it would sit and then they do the bum too. I won't lie, it's a bit of a shock, but it feels very clean (a bit weird for a few days then great). I used to get underarm done which was sorer but fab while it lasted! Can't get legs done as have very bad circulation and it looks like a horror movie but fine shaving!

Exhale as she's pulling..don't tense - relax! Makes a big difference!

I really don't think it's that bad. It hurts when you tense against it. You had to breathe!

Of course it grows - but after all that pain having it regrow after just a few days is a complete faff. Tgen you have to put up with itchy regrowth and red lumps if you get ingrown hairs until it gets long enough to wax again. No thanks.

Do you have v strong hairs in the region? I do and the very first time I got waxed 30+ years ago, I had little beads of blood where each hair was pulled out. So don’t be surprised. Hurts like a mofo. It’s why I have the area lasered now!

Mine takes weeks to regrow (I’ve been having it all off for so long the hair’s got weaker) and I don’t get any lumps, itch or ingrown hairs.

I'm no wax expert, but the place I had it done was decent and clearly did it very regularly. It's one of the best beauty salons in my city. I've got very sensitive skin, so maybe it was that rather than technique.

I wouldn't get it done again anyway. I only do my bikini line these days because I realised I actually prefer some hair. I think the wax experience was one of the things that persuaded me, even.

Do you have time to try it before the special occasion? - or do you not want to as you really want it to be a surprise? - because your skin might not like it and you might be disappointed with the "finish". Better to know.

All my friends think this practice is gross and unhealthy and porny. I am as feminist / more feminist than the next woman but you know what I did this for a while a few years ago and I loved the sensitivity. Can't do it now as my current man doesn't like it and thinks it's weird.

I have my insurance certificate framed and on the wall so I can show anyone who asks. Any reputable salon will gladly show qualifications and insurance certificates. It’s an unregulated industry sadly.

Exactly this. Many women post menopause lose their pubic hair completely. Does that make their partners weird? Honestly. 🙄