Everyone has a preferred form of bikini line hair removal. Some like shaving, others use hair removal cream, and some even leave their hair down there au naturel—that is, as is.
And then there's waxing. The main goal of a bikini wax is to remove most of the hair from your vagina and vulva. That's the legit word for the outer part of your genitals, terminology fans.
There are a whole host of different bikini wax styles for you to choose from. Whether you’ve booked your appointment to clear the hair at the sides of your vagina, are partial to a Brazilian (that's the removal of most of the hair on your vagina, but not all—you're usually left with a landing strip on the front), or are more of a Hollywood kinda gal (that's total hair removal), have you ever wondered what you’re putting the area through in the process?
Us neither. That's why we've chatted to Keri Raciti, an expert from Harley Wax, to discover a little more about all of the side-effects that can happen to your vagina when you get your monthly bikini wax. Not just that, we've also provided some handy tips on how to minimize the ones you don't want to become a regular occurrence (we're looking at you, ingrown hairs).
You'll be relieved to hear that it's not all bad news—most side-effects are actually pretty normal. Keep reading to find out more.
5 Common Side Effects Of Bikini Waxing
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Your bikini line might go red.
Everyone who's ever had a bikini wax knows that erythema—or redness—is a distinct possibility.
However, according to Keri, this isn't a sign of any direct harm to the skin. "The redness will subside and can be minimized with the application of aftercare lotions or gels," she explains.
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓watch nowIngredients used in post-wax products include:
- aloe vera
- tea tree
- lavender oil
- azulene, an active ingredient derived from chamomile extract
All of these are designed to soothe the area and calm the color down, stat.
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Your bikini line might get irritated.
You've all heard the ingrown hair horror stories, but if your waxer knows what they’re doing, and you’re careful with aftercare, you can minimize your chances of encountering an issue, according to Kerri.
"Most professional wax brands also make use of a pre-wax oil applied before the wax, eliminating the possibility of adhesion of the wax to the skin," explains Keri.
"When your wax is done, anything that creates heat, sweating or friction is a no-no for up to 48 hours. Skinny jeans and tight fitted clothing are best avoided and I know it feels nice and smooth, but my advice is—don't touch."
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓She also advises avoiding any products with added perfumes or colorants during this period, to cut the risk of irritation even further.
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Your skin down there may increase in temperature.
"It is recommended that a bikini wax is performed with the use of a professional hot or film wax, which is specifically formulated to effectively grip the hair in this area," Keri notes.
As a result, the temperature of your vulva goes up during a treatment, and you might even find that you get a tad sweaty at the time. Don’t sweat it, though—it won’t have a negative impact on your result, and the skin should cool down quickly enough once the procedure is finished. Phew.
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Your skin down there may lose all its dead skin cells.
Not only is the skin softer because of the lack of hair after a wax, the waxing itself is a bonus exfoliating treatment for the area. Who knew?
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓"Exfoliation - or the removal of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin—is a natural side-effect of the waxing process," explains Keri, adding that this is actually beneficial in the renewal process.
So, if you’ve noticed that the skin down there actually looks better after you’ve been waxed, this could be the reason.
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Your bikini line may produce less hair.
A solo encounter with a wax strip isn’t going to get your follicles to give up the ghost, but if you’re a fully paid-up member of the long-term waxing club, you could notice your growth getting thinner naturally anyway.
"The result of your wax is a long-lasting hair-free result," Keri confirms. "It will not cause damage to the skin or surrounding areas, but your hair may over the years decide to ‘give up’ and grow back finer."
How to prevent bikini wax side effects
As Keri explains, it's pretty simple. Just remember the following steps.
Before the wax:
- Exfoliate your bikini line pre-wax.
- Trim your pubic hair. The shorter the hair, the less painful the waxing process.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Make sure your salon has applied a pre-wax oil to stop the wax from sticking to your skin.
During the wax:
- Practice breathing exercises.
- Try not to be tense.
After the wax:
- Make sure your salon applies an appropriate aftercare gel.
- Avoid working out or activities that'll irritate your skin for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Avoid hot showers for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Continue exfoliating to prevent ingrown hairs.
- Don't wear tight fitted jeans, trousers or pants.
See, easy as anything.
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This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com/uk. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.
