Bikini waxes can be intimidating, I totally get that. You're laying on a table wearing disposable underwear in front of someone you've probably never met, and they're ripping hair out of a sensitive part of your body. If that's not hardcore, I don't know what is.

Beforehand Prep

1. Book an appointment, choose which style of waxing you want (bikini, extended bikini, Brazilian, etc.), and come to terms with the fact that it's going to hurt.

2. Make sure your hair is long enough to be waxed. It should be at least 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch long. This is so the wax can actually get a grip on your hair, not just come off without it.

3. Exfoliate the area that's going to be waxed the day before your appointment, and moisturize it too.

4. On the day of your appointment, do not moisturize. That will just make it harder for the wax to be able to hold on to your hair.

5. Take a painkiller, like ibuprofen, Tylenol, or Advil about 20-30 minutes before your appointment time. This will help minimize the pain as much as possible, because it's going to hurt no matter what.

6. Wear loose fitting clothing with comfortable, breathable (like cotton) underwear.

During Your Appointment

1. You'll be led into a private room, and you'll be able to take off your clothes in private.

2. It's usually up to you if you want to wear the disposable underwear provided, or you can go completely bare.

3. Your cosmetologist will come back into the room after a few minutes, and then you'll lie down on the table provided.

4. You can tell the cosmetologist this is your first time getting waxed, and they will explain the process, where to put your legs, and so on.

5. Don't be afraid to ask for a break if the process is too painful, and don't be afraid to speak up if the wax is too hot.

Aftercare

1. When paying, remember to tip your cosmetologist. This is super important and can be easily overlooked. 

2. Wear loose fitting clothing the day after your appointment to prevent friction on your sensitive skin.

3. Exfoliate 24 hours after your appointment to prevent ingrown hairs.

4. Optional: use products that prevent ingrown hairs, like Tend Skin, to make sure there is no irritation. You can also use Aloe Vera gel if your skin feels irritated.

5. Do not swim, go to the beach or take a bath for at least 24 hours, since your skin is still prone to infection at this point. Make sure you get waxed 2-3 days before you go on vacation so you don't have to worry about that.

6. Book another appointment if you're happy with your results, since your wax should last between 3-6 weeks.

Getting a bikini wax shouldn't be scary. Hopefully these steps and explanations have answered some of your questions, and feel free to do more research of your own. Remember: the more you get an area waxed, the less painful it will be.

If waxing is not your thing, do whatever you want with your hair. Shave it, wax it, use hair removal cream, or leave it alone, it's all up to you.