Up to 1/2 inch should be fine. If your hair is any longer you may feel some discomfort when the wax is applied. It will also make it trickier for your therapist to get the job done. Trim excess hair down beforehand or shave and wait a couple of weeks for it to grow back before returning to the salon.
Hair needs to be between one-eighth and one-fourth of an inch long to ensure the wax can grip it and leave you with a smooth finish. Too short and it won't take hold, too long and it'll take longer (and hurt more).
"For a bikini wax, those who frequent the beach benefit from waxing their bikini line every two weeks. But for a full bikini or Brazilian bikini service, you're recommended to come in every three to four weeks. This allows the proper amount of time for regrowth," Coba says.
Our advice is to wait 24 to 48 hours so your skin has time to heal and hair follicles can close. Doing so will prevent any further skin irritation.
Length of hair for waxing should be at least ¼ of an inch. (Imagine a grain of rice.) (However, while growing your hair out to said length is one of the do's of waxing, here's a don't: if hair is too long, simply (carefully) trim it to at least a ½ inch.
Can My Hair Be Too Long for Waxing? Yes. If your hair is more than a half-inch long, you should consider shaving it and “starting over.” Then schedule an appointment so that it lands about one full growth cycle out. That is, give the hair 1 to 4 weeks to regrow to about ¼ inch.
Hair needs to be at least ¼ inch long for effective waxing, and up to ½ inch long, or about the length of a grain of rice. This ensures that the wax can grab onto the hair and pull out the entire hair follicle. If hair is too short, the wax won't have a secure hold.
This is typically because the client didn't wait long enough for ALL of the hair to grow out. You will, however, notice that after a few Brazilian Waxes your hair will start to grow in much slower and finer. Shaved hair is much thicker because it gets cut off at its thickest point.
Hair follicles remain open for hours after waxing, so it's best to avoid contact with any excess moisture for at least 24 hours. If you must bathe the same day as your wax, take a shower, not a bath. The bacteria, skin, and product in the water could cause infection.
Catagen, or the transition phase. During this phase the hair stops growing, the follicle shrinks, and the hair is cut off from its blood supply. The catagen phase only lasts for about 2 weeks, and only 2 or 3% of pubic hair is in this phase at a time.
Estheticians recommend waiting between 4 to 6 weeks before going back for another Brazilian wax session, after your first. If you're new to Brazilians, “waxing every four to five weeks maintains a slow, regulated regrowth,” according to Liz Lugo, licensed esthetician and creator of Nova Wax.
Hairs can stop showing up after 8 months of treatment in areas where it grows naturally finer, as well as with people with fine hair. It's just as common, however, for people to go through years of wax sessions before the hair stops growing for good.
You will not have to get completely naked for a Brazilian wax. Of course, any clothing from the waist down will have to be removed, but anything from the waist up can stay on. One thing to suggest to your clients is adequate clothing to wear for their Brazilian wax.
And since your hair is at various phases in the growth cycle, your initial wax may not remove some hairs that are in the anagen stage. These hairs will make their presence known when they're good and ready, aka, maybe a day or so after your wax.
The good news is, it will! But you need to ensure you keep up with your waxing routine. Regularly book in for treatments every 4 – 6 weeks depending on your hair growth cycle. The more you wax, the less painful it will be over time.
Because your hair doesn't go through the stages of the growth cycle all at the exact same time, the hair will grow back at different rates. After a wax, the hairs that were in the resting phase will begin growing back, and that's why you'll see hair regrowth in a matter of weeks but not as thick as before.
What the experts say: "Immediately cleanse the affected area with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser and apply an antibacterial cream (bacitracin or mupirocin), oral NSAIDs for pain, a topical barrier like Aquaphor," Levin suggests. She also warns against using any scented products which could further irritate the skin.
To prevent bumps and ingrowns, try applying a cold pack to the waxed area immediately following your service, which will close the pores and block bacteria from entering.
DON'TS: THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER YOUR WAX:
Don't swim. Don't wear tight or non-breathing clothes to avoid infection: waxed skin needs air. Avoid perfumed products on the waxed skin. Avoid touching the waxed skin: the empty follicles are easily infected by bacteria and need some time to settle down and close.
Due to this difference in hair growth cycles, waxing hair when it's too short will make some of the hairs grow back within a couple of days (and in an uneven, prickly wax job), and others not for a week or two. This can turn into a never-ending cycle of mixed growth patterns, ingrown hairs, and breakouts.
"Waxing opens your pores and makes the area more sensitive than usual," says Faris. Wearing too-tight pants afterward can cause a rash, so dress in your baggiest pants and go commando if you feel comfortable doing so.
And how long is too long? Up to 1/2 inch should be fine. If your hair is any longer you may feel some discomfort when the wax is applied. It will also make it trickier for your therapist to get the job done.
There is no such thing as a 'normal' amount of pubic hair. This is a personal choice and one that you can make on your own. You shouldn't feel pressure one way or another.
Your underarms are home to more nerves and lymph nodes than other areas of your body, like your legs and face. That's why (1) they are extra ticklish and (2) waxing them hurts more than waxing your legs.