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Bikini Waxes 101: What to Expect During Your Appointment
Julyne Derrick is a contributing writer for Byrdie specializing in haircare. She has over a decade's worth of experience as a writer and editor.
Julia A. Siegel, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor.If you've just booked your first bikini wax, you're probably wondering what happens next. While waxing the bikini area can be a more effective hair removal method than, say, shaving, it can also be a bit intimidating—especially if you've never had one done before. To put your worries to rest, we turned to two experts, Gina Petak and Deidra Green of European Wax Center, to walk you through everything you can expect during your first bikini wax, from how to prepare to post-bikini wax tips.
Meet the Expert
- Gina Petak is the education manager for European Wax Center.
- Deidra Green is the corporate field trainer for European Wax Center.
A simple job worth taking the time to do
As you can see, waxing your floor is not a difficult job, but it’s one that’s worth doing. Whether you’re waxing a newly installed VCT floor or rewaxing an old one to freshen it up, it will give your floor an attractive sheen while also helping protect it against wear, tear and damage.
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- How to Install Vinyl Tile Flooring? (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
- How to Install Tile Over Vinyl or Linoleum Flooring? (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
- How to Seal a Vinyl Tile Floor? (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
- How to Remove Peel and Stick Tile? (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
- Can You Tile Over Tile In Showers? (A Step By Step Guide)
- How to Install Vinyl Flooring Over Old Vinyl? (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
Why wax vinyl?
Before we talk about how to wax vinyl floors, let’s think a little bit about why you should do it in the first place.
The first thing to understand is that what we now usually refer to as “wax” is not actually wax.
In the old days, people used to polish their floors with real wax, but nowadays, although wax is still available, the most common products used are acrylic.
Semantics aside though, why would you want to “wax” your VCT floor? And do you really need to?
When new VCT is laid, it comes with a layer of finish that’s designed to protect it. However, this layer is only designed to protect the VCT during transit, and it won’t stand up to general wear and tear once the floor is in use, so it’s essential to wax VCT floor to protect it long-term.
Furthermore, waxing VCT floors will give you a sheen that wouldn’t be possible without wax, so if you’re looking for an attractive polished look, waxing is your only option.
Finally, some waxes can even help repair minor damage like scratches, which means waxing is a great way to return your floor to optimal condition.
So in short, for all these reasons, if you have VCT floors, although they don’t need much maintenance, you’ll still have to look after them by waxing them from time to time.
Is It Painful To Get A Bikini Wax?
High-quality wax and an experienced esthetician can make the process that much more comfortable. So be sure to attend licensed salons with positive reviews, and request an experienced esthetician for your first time.
As far as aftercare goes, being gentle is the biggest factor to consider. Avoid wearing tight or textured (i.e. lacy) underwear for the first few days and instead opt for comfortable, cotton undergarments that allow your skin to breathe. You'll also want to give the area some gentle exfoliation and moisture.
Breakouts, ingrown hairs, and bumps may also appear after your bikini wax, but the good news is that the proper pre- and post-wax routines can help to prevent them from occurring. For instance, exfoliating the bikini area before your wax and cleansing it afterward will help to reduce the risks of side effects.
Types of Wax Used
First of all, there is soft and hard wax. "Soft wax requires a paper-like strip to be placed on top of the wax to remove it, Petak explains. Because of this, stray hair can be left behind. Still, the method might be beneficial to people with fine hair. On the other hand, hard wax hardens enough on its own to not need this paper strip. "It adheres to the hair, says Petak. "It’s often said that hard wax is a much less painful experience than soft wax for all parts of the body." Pain, however, is subjective, and some experts say hard wax tends to be less painful.
While every waxing studio will have its own steps, most places will follow these steps:
- Cleanse the Skin: Once you are comfortable on the bed, the wax specialist will ensure you are in a comfortable position and begin the cleansing process to remove any lotions, soap residue, sebum, and other impurities from the skin.
- Create a Protective Barrier: The next step is to apply an oil to create a protective barrier on the skin to ensure the wax only sticks to the hair and not your skin.
- Preparing the Wax While Consulting: While your waxer prepares the wax strips and/or warms the wax, you'll have a few minutes to discuss your wishes and ask any questions about the process.
- Hair Removal: Once the wax is ready, your esthetician will begin actually waxing you by applying either wax strips or warmed, hard wax to your skin. They'll then remove the wax strips in quick motions, which is what actually removes the hair. As the waxing continues, you should feel free to let your esthetician know if you'd like a break (or want to stop altogether) or if anything feels wrong. For a bikini wax, the actual waxing process will take about 15 minutes.
- Rejuvenate the Skin: Once the waxing is complete, your esthetician will apply a rejuvenating, moisturizing product to the freshly-waxed skin. It's usually a soothing, cooling gel texture that feels amazing.
