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

Laser is waaaay better and cheaper in the long run. You can probably pay in instalments.

I don’t get itchy stubble from waxing at all.

i honestly don’t think it’s that bad. I had a Hollywood every month for years and years. I have a home laser thing now. If you’ve got a good waxer they can minimise the pain. Tell them it’s your first and they can be conservative about the area they are covering with each ‘go’. I assume it’s using hot wax? Ie no strips? If they are proposing to use strips then cancel, it’ll be horrendous. Only exception - They might use strips for the last few hairs which haven’t come up with the hot wax but 99% of hairs should be removed using hot wax with no strips.

Phillips do a try before you buy on a lumea. It’s £44 a month but you send it back at any point if you decide it’s not for you. You can pay it off at any point if you decide you want to keep it.

https://www.philips.co.uk/c-e/pe/lumea-try-and-buy.html?utm_id=20855395173&origin=7_9164824656_20855395173_155341793926_7569983047&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20855395173&gbraid=0AAAAAD9m5bBN4-QckNNe3R8e8x1PyV_zu&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgbnKBhDgARIsAGCDdlfKGfuiRuv_pndL2gshPKHOPK3MJlSknrWX5UdlWFwZCtgUAPKOGrYaAjpuEALw_wcB

Treated myself to a device for my Christmas present and the idea is good but reality is I'm in over my head lol. I have never seen one before let alone use one and I tried it out for the first time just now and I have not got any clue how to use it 😅

I have hot wax Hollywood once a month. Less painful than strip wax. I would have laser treatment but I’m grey everywhere now so it would be unlikely to work.

It’s like going for a smear - embarrassing at first then you forget all about it.

I have been getting my hair waxxed for over 20 years, full Hollywood, lega up in the air! Just think they have seem it all. It’s just a job to them.

Also agree with others to do hot wax first but mo need to work up to it. My first bikini wax at 19 was a Hollywood. And I have mainly stuck to that.

And do not get it immediately before your period. I take a Nurofen Plus before too which helps

I get a Hollywood monthly, never had any issues with it being painful and my waxer is good craic so we always have a laugh! It’s one of my fave appointments 😆 I went straight in with a Hollywood instead of bikini and am glad I did. Much better than shaving! I do ipl at home a couple days after the wax so you can combine the two for a more permanent solution

This is a good idea would you just wipe it all off right before your wax though? I might try a bikini wax before my holiday next year. I know I couldn't hack the pain.

I discovered the joy of Hollywood waxes last summer and haven't looked back tbh! I now go once a month. It certainly does not grow back itchy or stubbly! My wax lady is an intimate wax specialist. She's super.

The pain isn’t too bad, and I say this as someone useless with pain and also hasn’t gone through labour - i’m sure it’s not as bad as that!

I’d recommend getting a leg wax first so you can get to know your waxer so it’s less Awkward.

For a real reduction in hair growth, go for laser removal over waxing - i’ve only had it on underarms and it does hurt but the reduction is so worth it.

It doesn’t hurt as much as I thought it was going to, I’ve now been Hollywood for the last 7 years, get yourself a specialist post wax oil that will help with some of the soreness afterwards, but most of all ensure you go to someone who has excellent reviews. One time hot wax had ran down to between my ass cheeks and it was too hot, told the lady she then promptly pulls my cheeks apart and starts blowing, so yea be prepared for not being embarrassed at whatever may happen 😂

I was going to say this. You need someone who knows what they are doing,I used to get it done and the lady could do it in 10 mins which helps. I used to take a flannel to bit down on but it was only the top part (pubis mond?? )that really hurt which was about 3 strips.

It is really worth it though!! Mine lasted about 3 weeks and then it would start to regrow. I wish I could go back to getting it done I hate shaving I get such bad rash. Just picture the end result!

Affects results massively. Even if cleaned up it will remain in the pores blocks any type of treatment you do

I go for a Hollywood semi-regularly and I genuinely don't think it's that bad. Obviously go for a hot wax (NOT a strip wax). It might hurt in the moment it's pulled but the pain only lasts a few seconds each time it's pulled. My top tip is to take deep, calm breaths to avoid nervous anticipation each time a section is coming off. And it's not embarrassing; they're like midwives, they see it all day long and don't care. Once you've done it loads it starts growing back more sparsely.

I wax myself, full Hollywood and under arms. Again during your period is worse, I don’t find the days after that bad.

I haven’t rtft but make sure it’s somewhere that uses stripless wax, make sure they have good practices for not double dipping - ie they use one end, then the other if the spatula, and how they keep track, and tell them it’s your first. If they don’t offer it, ask them to count before pulling, and deep inhale before they count and breathe out on the 3 - like labour.

The hood right on the pubic bone is the worst bit for me and a lot of others. How much pain you’ll feel really depends on your hair type etc

Exactly this….go for a high leg bikini wax first and take 2 paracetomol about 45 mins beforehand……xx

And definitely do not go in the week leading up to your period 😬

If you are not a virgin, please please go for a smear.

I get a Hollywood, 1/2 legs and arm pits every 5 weeks.

I take ibuprofen about 1/2 hour before and I don’t get itchy stubble. Regrowth has lessened over time and it grows back soft for me.

yes it does hurt a bit though it has got better over time. But for me it’s a very quick pain, over as soon as the wax is pulled off - it’s not sore afterwards at all. I have a pretty low pain threshold generally and manage it regularly.

The regrowth and ingrown hairs 🥴
Ensure you have a post wax strategy to deal
with ingrown hairs.

If you get urine infections often I’d be more concerned about that than the pain at the time, look up what complications can happen with full wax before going x

I’d really recommend you start small and work up to a Hollywood. I hate to say it but waxing doesn’t work for everyone. I have double hair growth so would have regrowth within 24 hours. I also have very sensitive skin so would look like a plucked chicken too! The only thing that worked for me was laser hair removal. It’s a complete game changer! Best money I ever spent.

Don’t bother with a Hollywood - it makes your hips look wide and is a bit silly looking on grown women I think.
Brazilian is the way to go.