Really nervous - first Hollywood wax

[AbsolutelyRavenousCaterpillar]

hope this is ok to post here. I’m not a troll, I’m a longtime poster who has name changed (MN can verify!)

basically I’ve decided to go for my first body waxing session- I’ve had eyebrows etc before but not intimate waxing. I’ve been wanting it for a while but just kept putting it off and I’ve decided enough is enough and I’m going to get a Hollywood wax.

ive got hormone issues and it has given me excessive body hair and I hate it so much. Shaving lasts a day at most and no matter what I use the results are never great, hair removal cream doesn’t work, and I can’t afford laser or anything like that. I also play a lot of sports and wear shorts and while I understand some people are fine with body hair, that’s absolutely fine but I personally don’t want it and i want to see if waxing gives better results

but im just so, so scared. I don’t even know why, im just embarrassed about someone seeing down there and im so self conscious. I’m also scared about the pain levels as I’ve heard it’s excruciating- I tried waxing myself but really struggled because of the pain and kept doing it too slowly because I was scared to do it quickly but I think I ended up just making it hurt more!

does anyone have any advice on how to get past the initial embarrassment and also how to deal with the pain? I’ve not been for a smear test so am not used to this sort of thing, the only similar thing I’ve had was colonoscopies where I was so drugged up I was basically on another planet hence no embarrassment 😅

thanks in advance x

You don't need a Hollywood to stop the spider legs poking out under shorts...

Just go for bikini.

I totally get what you mean but It’s not just for wearing shorts, I just want to get it done because it’s my own preference and also I guess to at least see if the results are better than shaving x

Have you booked someone who specialises in this or somewhere that does nails/lashes etc too? There’s a few specialist places where I live and they are always very fast which makes it much less painful.

I really recommend that you start with a more restrained bikini line tidy, and work up to a full Hollywood. It will be less scary and you will get used to it; you can keep your pants on so less stressful; and can try taking a couple of aspirin first to help the pain.

The more you do it, the less it hurts! And get hot wax rather than strip wax...

Thank you! Yeah I read online that it’s best to go to a specialist waxing place for it, there’s a place nearby which have really great reviews and specifically do intimate waxing xx

Thank you so much, yeah I see what you mean that it might be best to work up to a Hollywood. Stupid question but would putting ice on the area before I leave the house help by numbing it or realistically would that not work? I’m a wimp with pain but don’t want to sob throughout it and embarrass myself haha

Take some ibuprofen and paracetamol and hour before. Don't get waxed just before your period

I'd seriously look at lazer for bikini line. It's game changer

Thank you! I’ve just finished my period so good timing! I’m assuming does it hurt more by getting it done just before your period?

That’s definitely my plan long term, just can’t afford it atm unfortunately x

Don't go before or after your period, its more painful.

In all honesty I wouldn't bother. I find I have maybe 5 days of being smooth then really awful itchy stubble, which you can't shave as you need length to go back. So then 3 weeks of being stubbly and itchy.

I would invest in a home electrolysis machine. Like a lumia. So much better and if you do it properly the regrowth really does dramatically reduce.

If youre spending £40 getting a wax every 3/4 weeks you could get a lumea from Very or amazon installments with 0% interest

Aw no way, that’s gutting to hear, I thought waxing was meant to be so much better than shaving 😭 the stubbling and itching is exactly what I wanted to avoid xx

Before my first Hollywood wax in my early twenties I was also really scared of being embarrassed but my very matter of fact German friend said "what exactly do you think is so special about your vagina?" and thinking that honestly really helped. My waxer said they see so many they can't even think what they look like for each person in the abstract. And, given I've seen her every six weeks for the last 12 years and she forgot I'd even been pregnant and had a baby until she saw my recent c-section scar, I believe her!

The first one does hurt a bit as the roots are strong, so taking painkillers before does help, but the subsequent ones hurt less and less. It's not even excruciating the first time though, just slightly painful.

If you're determined to go you can use numbing cream beforehand (buy from a pharmacy) which will stop it hurting

Thank you so much!! That actually made me laugh haha, I definitely don’t think my vagina is particularly special. Also good to know it’s not as excruciating as people make out xx

Im concerned to hear that you’ve never had a smear test, but that maybe for very genuine reasons

Im very hairy and had great results from this. Hair starts growing back after a couple of weeks but much softer and reduces over time.

Start with Brazilian not Hollywood
No caffeine before hand
Try mid cycle
Hair not too long- trim it first. If its too long it'll hurt much more
Ibuprofen 1h before
Make sure skin is pulled really tight before pulling off wax strip, you hold skin if necessary
Work up to full nakedness butt in air Hollywood, they've seen it all before its not weird for them but it will be for you

Good Luck!

I had many of these in my 20s. The first one hurt like hell. Subsequent ones perhaps less so although maybe I was just less shocked! Agree with PPs about going either side of a period. Going mid cycle definitely made a difference.

But when I hit about 28 I stopped going and am now absolutely fine with pubes. Bikini line neat and neither the pain nor the expense of anything more!

Avoid caffeine, take paracetamol half an hour before and remember that they’ve seen plenty!

I don’t find it painful (or embarrassing). We usually chat about books that we are reading or meals that we have made!

Also, don’t be afraid to say if you are uncomfortable or if the wax is too warm.

I used to love the results of a Hollywood wax, but had to stop as my wax lady left and the replacement wasn’t as good.

I used to take 2 paracetamol an hour before, and have a very thorough wash.

The pain isn’t all that bad, it’s just the hair just above your clitoras that’s the worst part as it’s the most sensitive. But it’s over quickly.

In regards to embarrassment, I wouldn’t worry. If they do intimate waxing they’ll have seen lots of people’s intimate areas.

I’ve got a lumia- cost £44 per month direct debit from Phillips

Go to somewhere that specialises in intimate waxing, not a general waxologist (or whatever they call themselves now).

Look for somewhere that uses 'non-strip wax', is wax that forms its own strip, it doesn't stick to skin and is far far less painful or damaging than strip wax.

I would go for something a bit less extreme than the Hollywood first, see how your skin reacts, then go for the works once you're comfy with it and know what to expect. I did not do this and the first time was a bit more painful than subsequent trips, but nowhere NEAR as painful as strip-waxing is!

You do have to help with tensioning various different parts to ensure they get absolutely everything, properly - again an intimate waxing specialist will do a good job here, a non specialist probably won't be so bold in ferreting about and checking nothing is left!

They really have seen it all, don't worry about it! Oh and get your armpits done that way too, its GREAT, so much better than shaving!

I have never found waxing to cause stubble or rashes, the occasional ingrown hair but you learn how to do the aftercare to prevent that and I find with non-strip wax, its far less likely as the skin is not damaged.

You’ll probably be fine imo, especially if it’s a place that specialises. Might as well take the painkillers.

I went from never so much as trimming the hair from my vast expanse of forest, to a total Hollywood at 49, and have stuck with it ever since. It was MUCH less painful than I expected, though I have had a couple of fiery ones along the way. It really does vary with the expertise of the waxer. I have had waxers who fanny about [lol] and take ages, and that’s never a good sign, but the ones who crack on tend to be pretty good.