10 Things To Know Before Getting a Bikini Wax

Having wax strips placed on your skin and letting a stranger rip off some of the most sensitive hair of your body doesn't sound like an ideal way to spend an afternoon. But when beach season hits and if the thought of stubble or razor burn makes you cringe, you might be considering a bikini wax.

Plenty of people say a professional wax is worth it for the super-smooth results. You can tell the waxer how much or how little you want to be taken off, from just a tidying up to a more thorough job on top and past your thigh creases. A bikini wax generally means neatening things up outside the panty line, not a total mow job, aka a Brazilian wax.

And honestly, the pain probably isn't as excruciating as you think. "The anticipation is the worst part," Keiann Roberts, an aesthetician at The Medical Spa in Gastonia, N.C, said. "Usually as soon as the wax is done, [clients] say it isn't as bad as they thought it would be." Ready to give it a go? Prepare yourself with Health's bikini wax guide.

Make Sure Your Hair Is the Right Length

"Your hair should be about a quarter of an inch long—or what we say is a grain of rice," Roberts said. If your hair is longer, waxing will be more painful. If it's shorter, the wax won't have enough to grab onto, so it may not come off at all or could lead to pesky ingrown hairs.

If you're not sure about the length, lean on the longer side and request that the studio trims it down for you.

Consider Going When You Don't Have Your Period

You can get a wax when you have your period. Just make sure to use a tampon and give your waxer a heads-up! But most experts advise against it, especially if it's your first time.

Three days leading up to your period and the days of your period, most people have a lower pain threshold, so the wax could hurt more, Whitney Bowe, MD, a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology, PC in NYC, told Health.

Do Your Research and Find a Reputable Salon

Of course, the salon you go to should be completely professional and sanitary. Also, make sure it doesn't double dip; you don't want the same stick to be used each time.

Word of mouth and referrals are often the best way to find the right studio. If a friend has had a good experience somewhere, chances are you will too. And if all else fails, there's Google.

When you arrive, trust your instincts. "You get that gut feeling when you walk in whether it's a place that you feel comfortable going to or not," Dr. Bowe said.

Skip the Exfoliants a Few Days Before

Keep your skincare regime gentle in the days leading up to your wax. At most, do a very light exfoliation a couple of days before, Roberts said. Anything too harsh will irritate the skin, causing more redness and irritation after the wax.

Take a Painkiller the Day of Your Wax

Pain is the number one (and totally legit) concern most first-time bikini waxers have. And though a wax is unlikely to be as bad as you might imagine, the fact is, it can hurt or cause discomfort to varying degrees.

To take the edge off, pop an ibuprofen or aspirin an hour or so before your appointment. "That sort of dials down the amount of inflammation you have on your skin," Dr. Bowe said. "You're less likely to get red and inflamed, and you're more likely to tolerate it from a pain perspective."

Hit the Salon in Loose Clothing

Leave your leggings and tight skinny jeans at home, and go to your appointment in something a little lighter and looser. "You don't want to wear any really tight clothing or leggings that could cause any friction in the area," Roberts said, which can increase your odds of developing wax burn afterward.

Warn Your Waxer About Any Skin Issues

If you have a mole or a skin tag, give your waxer a heads-up. "Usually we see it, but it's great if our client mentions it first," Marta Grochowska, a senior aesthetician at Haven Spa in N.Y. told Health. This way, your waxer can wax around the mole or tag, tweezing any hair out of it while preventing extra irritation and inflammation.

Have a sunburn or other skin irritation on the day of your appointment? Reschedule and wait for it to clear up, so you avoid extra pain or irritation during and after the wax.

Be Prepared for Redness and Bumps

Your post-wax bikini area won't look perfect straight away. "Right afterward, it doesn't look smooth and beautiful. In fact, it looks a little bit like chicken skin," Dr. Bowe said. "It's red and bumpy, and that's normal." Don't worry: It should disappear within a few hours.

Stock Up on Hydrocortisone

Usually, your waxer will apply a soothing cream to calm the area post-wax. But it can't hurt to have some hydrocortisone on hand at home as well. Dabbing your just-waxed skin will dramatically reduce redness and discomfort.

Also, ask your waxer what post-wax products they suggest, Grochowska said. Your waxer can advise you on what would be best for your skin type. For anyone keen on their home remedies, cold milk is a natural irritated skin soother, Dr. Bowe said.

Don't Exercise

"The last thing I would recommend is taking a spin class right afterward," Roberts said. "I always say, 'I'm your excuse to skip the gym today,' because you want to make sure you don't irritate the area anymore."

If you really can't go without your daily workout, do it beforehand. Just make sure to take a shower when you're done—your waxer will appreciate it!

A Quick Review

Once you've found a reputable salon where you feel comfortable, keep these tips in mind. Try to schedule your appointment when you're not on your period, and make sure your hair is at least a quarter of an inch long. Skip the exfoliants before you go in.

On the day of your bikini waxing, you may want to take a painkiller and wear loose clothes. Remember to tell your aesthetician about any skin issues.

After it's over, remember that the red, bumpy skin will turn into smooth skin within a few hours, and hydrocortisone may help soothe the area. Also, consider saving your workout for the next day to give your skin the beauty rest it deserves.