What exactly happens during a Brazilian wax?

Before Your Appointment: Preparation

The Brazilian wax experience actually begins before you arrive at the salon. Proper preparation significantly impacts your comfort and results.

Hair Length Requirements: Ensure your hair is at least 1/4 inch long (about the length of a grain of rice). This typically means 2-3 weeks of growth after shaving, or 3-4 weeks after a previous wax. Hair that's too short won't grip to the wax properly, leading to poor results and potentially needing to rebook.

Exfoliation: Gently exfoliate the area 24-48 hours before your appointment (but not the day of). This removes dead skin cells and helps prevent ingrown hairs, allowing wax to grip hair more effectively.

Personal Hygiene: Shower shortly before your appointment. Some salons provide cleansing wipes, but arriving clean shows courtesy to your therapist.

Pain Management (optional):

• Take ibuprofen or paracetamol 30-45 minutes before if concerned about discomfort
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol on the day (they can increase sensitivity)
• Schedule appointments mid-cycle if you find yourself more sensitive during menstruation

Clothing Choices: Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment, particularly loose cotton underwear. Avoid tight jeans or synthetic materials that might irritate freshly waxed skin.

Arrival and Consultation (5 minutes)

Upon arrival at Mesmerising Beauty, you'll be greeted and shown to a private treatment room. Your therapist will begin with a brief consultation:

What They'll Ask:

• Is this your first Brazilian wax?
• When did you last wax or shave the area?
• Do you have any allergies or skin sensitivities?
• Are you on any medications? (Some medications like Accutane make waxing inadvisable)
• What shape would you like to leave at the front, if any? (Strip, triangle, or complete removal)

What You Should Mention:

• Any health conditions (diabetes, blood clotting disorders)
• Skin conditions in the area (eczema, psoriasis, active infections)
• Recent sun exposure or tanning
• Concerns about pain tolerance

This consultation is your opportunity to ask any last-minute questions and establish what you want from the treatment. Don't be embarrassed - therapists have heard every question imaginable.

Undressing and Positioning (2-3 minutes)

Your therapist will leave the room while you remove your lower garments (trousers/skirt and underwear). Your top half stays fully clothed. You'll then lie on the treatment bed, which is covered with clean paper or towels.

Initial Position: You'll start by lying on your back with your knees bent and legs apart - similar to a position you might adopt for a gynecological exam but often more comfortable. Some therapists provide a bolster or cushion under your knees for comfort.

The room is private with the door closed - only you and your therapist will be present throughout the treatment.

Cleansing the Area (1-2 minutes)

Your therapist will cleanse the entire area to be waxed using an antiseptic, oil-free solution. This removes any oils, lotions, sweat, or bacteria that could interfere with wax adhesion or cause infection. The cleansing agent typically feels cool against the skin.

Some therapists also apply a light dusting of powder (usually talc-free baby powder or similar) to absorb any remaining moisture and help wax grip hair more effectively.

The Waxing Process: Section by Section (25-35 minutes)

Professional therapists work systematically through each area. The specific order may vary, but typically follows this pattern:

Phase 1 - Front Area (Mons Pubis): 8-10 minutes

The therapist applies warm wax to the pubic mound area using a spatula. For Brazilian waxing, most professionals use hard wax (also called hot wax) on sensitive areas. Hard wax hardens as it cools and is removed without strips, adhering to hair rather than skin - this is less painful than strip wax.

Working in small sections (roughly 2-3 inches at a time), they:

1. Apply wax in the direction of hair growth
2. Allow it to cool and harden slightly (5-10 seconds)
3. Hold the skin taut with one hand
4. Quickly remove the wax against the direction of hair growth

This process repeats across the entire front area. If you've chosen to leave a strip or triangle, the therapist shapes this precisely. The sensation is sharp but brief - each pull lasts less than a second.

Phase 2 - Sides and Bikini Line: 5-7 minutes

The therapist moves to the sides where your legs meet your pelvis, removing all hair from these areas. This extends well beyond what any underwear would cover. The same hard wax technique continues - small sections, quick removal.

You may be asked to hold your leg to one side or help by holding skin taut in certain areas. This helps the therapist access all areas and reduces discomfort by keeping skin firm during wax removal.

Phase 3 - Labia: 5-8 minutes

This is typically the most sensitive area but also uses the smallest wax sections. The therapist works very carefully, applying minimal amounts of wax to small areas at a time. You may need to help by holding your leg in different positions or holding the skin taut in certain spots.

The labia majora (outer lips) are treated, with hair removal extending toward the labia minora depending on hair growth patterns. Professional therapists have performed this hundreds or thousands of times and work with careful precision.

Phase 4 - Perineum: 2-3 minutes

The area between the genitals and anus is treated next, usually while you're still on your back. This requires the same small-section technique used for the labia.

Phase 5 - Back Area (Between Buttocks): 5-7 minutes

For the final area, you'll need to reposition. Depending on your therapist's preference, this might be:

• Turning onto your side with knees drawn up (fetal position)
• "Frog legs" position while still on your back
• Hands and knees position (less common)

The therapist removes hair from between the buttocks (intergluteal cleft). This area is typically less sensitive than the front, and because it's the final section, most clients are simply ready to get through it.

Finishing Touches (3-5 minutes)

Once all sections are complete, your therapist will:

Tweezer Work: Use tweezers to remove any individual hairs that were missed or too short for wax to grip. This ensures a perfectly smooth finish.

Final Check: Examine all areas in good lighting to ensure thorough hair removal.

Soothing Treatment: Apply a cooling, soothing lotion or gel to calm the skin. This typically contains aloe vera or similar ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties. It feels cooling and helps reduce redness.

Clean-Up: Wipe away any wax residue using oil-based wax remover.

Getting Dressed and Aftercare Instructions (3-5 minutes)

Your therapist will leave the room while you dress. They'll return to provide aftercare instructions:

For the first 24-48 hours:

• No heat: Avoid hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs
• No sun exposure or tanning beds
• Avoid intense exercise that causes sweating
• Wear loose cotton underwear
• No sexual activity for 24 hours
• Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools or the ocean for 24 hours

Ongoing Care:

• Exfoliate gently 2-3 times per week after 48 hours to prevent ingrown hairs
• Moisturize daily with fragrance-free lotion
• Book your next appointment for 4-6 weeks' time

What the Discomfort Feels Like

Let's address this honestly because it's what most first-timers worry about. Brazilian waxing does involve discomfort, but here's what it actually feels like:

Initial sensation: Sharp, stinging pain that lasts 1-2 seconds per wax pull. It's intense but brief.

Cumulative effect: As treatment progresses, there's some cumulative sensitivity - the skin becomes slightly more reactive.

Different areas: The front pubic area is often less sensitive than the labia. The back area (between buttocks) is typically less sensitive than most people expect.

Breathing matters: Deep breathing genuinely helps. Many therapists encourage you to take a deep breath in while they apply wax, then exhale as they remove it.

Reality check: Most first-time clients rate discomfort around 5-7 out of 10, with it decreasing to 3-4 by their third or fourth treatment as hair becomes finer.

Immediately After Treatment

When you leave your appointment:

Appearance: The waxed area will be pink or red, potentially with some tiny raised bumps. This is completely normal and typically subsides within a few hours to a day.

Sensation: The area feels slightly tender, similar to a mild sunburn. It's sensitive to friction from clothing.

Results: Completely smooth, hair-free skin. The smoothness lasts 3-5 weeks on average, though you'll likely see some regrowth starting around week 2-3. Even as hair starts growing back, it's much finer and softer than stubble from shaving.

Your Second and Subsequent Treatments

Good news: Brazilian waxing gets significantly easier with regular treatments. Here's why:

Hair becomes finer: Regular waxing damages hair follicles over time, leading to finer, sparser regrowth.

Skin adapts: Your body adjusts to the sensation. What felt intense the first time becomes much more manageable.

Mental preparation: You know exactly what to expect, eliminating the anxiety component.

Shorter treatment time: With finer, less dense hair, subsequent appointments often take only 20-25 minutes instead of 30-40.

Reduced discomfort: Most clients report 50-70% less discomfort by their third or fourth treatment.

Available at Newcastle location:

• Gosforth: Private, comfortable treatment rooms with experienced therapists who understand exactly how to make your Brazilian wax as comfortable as possible.

Our Brazilian & Hollywood Waxing Services:

• Brazilian Wax: £25-30 | 30-40 minutes (first visit), 20-25 minutes (regular clients)
• Hollywood Wax: £30-35 | 30-40 minutes (first visit), 20-25 minutes (regular clients)
• Bikini Line Alternative: £12-15 | 15-20 minutes
• Extended Bikini: £18-22 | 20-30 minutes

[Book Your First Brazilian Wax - Arrive Prepared and Confident]