By Anna Lynn Sibal

Many of us, I am sure, have heard about Brazilian wax and have a vague idea of what it is. Some may have even tried it, while some are just thinking about it but are just feeling a little icky about it. Well, whatever you think or feel about Brazilian wax, here is the lowdown about it.

The Brazilian bikini wax has been a raging fad since the 1990s. It allows women to wear those skimpy bikinis that are barely there without fear of having a strand of those curls down there showing.
Why is this so? The Brazilian wax, unlike your regular bikini wax, leaves almost nothing behind. The hair in the pubic area is completely stripped off, except for what is known as a landing strip or a broader vertical strip.

The idea of having a Brazilian wax may titillate some, but for others, it is quite practical. After all, we do get rid of the hair down there once in a while, so we might as well get rid of it completely.

Brazilian waxings are done in a beauty salon or a spa. Of course, to have it done, one must remove the lower garments and lie on a table. There is nothing to worry about, though. Complete privacy is almost always guaranteed – there will be only you and your waxer in the room.

The first thing that your waxer will do is spread baby powder, talcum powder, or oil over the area to be waxed. This prevents the hot wax from sticking to the skin.
Then they will trim your hair down. The hair should be around a quarter of an inch in length for the wax to get a hold on. Afterwards, the waxer will spread the hot wax on the area to be treated with the use of a waxing stick. She will then put a strip of cloth over the wax so the wax will totally stick to the hair.

Once the wax is cool, the waxer will then pull the cloth strips off you in the direction opposite the way your hair grows. Getting it all pulled off can cause great discomfort, even pain, but if your waxer is good, her hands will move quickly so as to minimize the pain of the procedure for you. The procedure usually takes only thirty minutes.

To get the job completely done, the waxer may pull out the remaining hair with a pair of tweezers. Afterwards, she will apply a lotion to soothe the treated area and prevent any swelling from happening.

Speaking of swelling, if ever you go for a Brazilian wax, do not be afraid to ask your waxer what to do if you experience swelling or red bumps, or maybe even in-grown hair. These are the possible side effects of getting a Brazilian wax, and you ought to know what to do if you get them so as to avoid your skin from getting irritated or infected.

Getting a Brazilian wax can get pretty painful, not to mention embarrassing, since you have to strip in front of a complete stranger, but getting it frequently done eventually numbs you to the pain and discomfort. Think of it as just visiting your gynecologist for your regular checkup.