The world of bikini waxing extends far beyond the basic and Brazilian options. From the French to the Hollywood, the choices can be overwhelming. It’s natural to have questions and concerns about this form of hair removal, and it's important to approach the process with knowledge and care.
You’ve likely heard of the classic and the Brazilian waxes, but those aren’t the only bikini wax types on the menu. You can also remove your down-there hair with the French, for example, or the leave-no-strand-behind Hollywood, if you dare.
The following are some of the most common bikini wax types, catering to different preferences for hair removal:
Classic or Standard Bikini Wax: This focuses on cleaning up the strands around the inner thigh crease, targeting what isn’t covered by underwear. It involves removing hair about two finger spaces outside of the panty line, creating a neat outline. It can be thought of as touching up what you’ve already got.
French Bikini Wax: This style leaves a thin, rectangular “strip” of hair in the middle of the pubic area, removing most of the hair on the front of the pubic bone (mons pubis) and along the outer part of the lips (labia). It offers more coverage than a Brazilian wax. You won’t be completely bare, but you definitely aren’t going to see anything poking out in even the tiniest of swimsuit bottoms or, yep, thongs.
Read also: Bikini Wax: What to Expect
Mini Brazilian Wax: This is a step below the traditional Brazilian. You’ll be completely hair-free in the front near your pubic bone and, if you want, on the labia, too. The main difference is that any strands in the back will remain, making this an ideal option for anyone who doesn’t want their butt touched.
Full Brazilian Wax: Inspired by Brazilian bikinis, this style removes almost all pubic hair from the front, sides, and between the cheeks. If you have a vulva and you’re looking to go totally bare, request the full Brazilian. Inspired by the itty-bitty bikinis lining the beaches of Brazil, this type of wax style removes pretty much all of your pubic hair: on the front, along the sides, between the cheeks, you name it.
Hollywood Wax: Similar to the full Brazilian, the Hollywood leaves no nook or cranny unwaxed-yes, that includes the hairs around your butt and, uniquely, the inner folds of your labia. Though the Hollywood is a popular ask, Dr. Gohara cautions against smearing hot wax near those internal regions, since the tissue is so thin and more susceptible to damage.
D-zilian Wax: A full Brazilian for folks with penises will remove hair around the lower abdomen, above the shaft, and even on the scrotum (yes, the balls will be bald).
Dick-ini Wax: Your scrotum and butt will be left alone and the main focus will be on the strands along your inner thighs and lower abdomen. The goal, ultimately, is to remove any hair that would be visible if you were to wear skimpy briefs or a more revealing swimsuit.
Read also: Reviews: Edmond Bikini Wax
How painful is a bikini wax? And what’s the best way to prep for one?We won’t mince words: Especially if it’s your first time, it’ll probably hurt like a mother. After all, we’re talking about ripping out hair from the root in one of the most sensitive areas of your body.
Several steps can be taken beforehand to minimize discomfort and ensure skin safety:
Don’t trim or shave: Let your pubic hair grow out for at least six weeks before your appointment. The hair should be about a quarter of an inch long, allowing the wax to grip effectively.
Exfoliate gently: A few days before your appointment, use a gentle body scrub or dry brush to physically exfoliate the area. This removes dead skin cells and unclogs trapped hairs, leading to smoother results and fewer ingrown hairs.
Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can thin your blood, increasing blood flow to the area and making the skin more sensitive. It can also make you more susceptible to bruising. So if you’re considering having a glass of wine to calm your nerves, know that it might actually increase your discomfort instead.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Bikini Waxing
Take an OTC pain reliever: Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever 30 minutes before your appointment can make the experience more comfortable; Tylenol (acetaminophen) is the best option, according to Dr. Gohara. That’s because nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin “can thin the blood, so there’s the risk of bruising more easily, especially on the inner thighs,” she explains.
Consider a topical numbing cream: Over-the-counter topical numbing creams or sprays containing lidocaine can temporarily block nerve signals. Applying these to the outer bikini area (never inside the vagina!) 30 minutes to an hour before you get waxed can reduce discomfort.
Arguably, what’s more important than what you do prewax is your aftercare routine. It’s pretty much inevitable to experience at least some inflammation, which might show up as redness (depending on your skin tone), itchiness, and/or bumps, Dr. Gohara says.
Aftercare is crucial to minimize irritation and prevent complications:
Apply hydrocortisone: An over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can help alleviate discomfort with its anti-inflammatory properties. Not only will it calm down some of that initial irritation and swelling, but it can also reduce itchiness, which may show up in the days or weeks after your wax, as your hair starts slowly growing back, she adds.
Refrain from exercise: Avoid exercise the day of your appointment to prevent sweat from mixing with wax residue or bacteria, which can clog hair follicles and cause irritation or infection.
Avoid sex: Certain sex positions can be irritating for people with labia. If you must, opt for positions that minimize friction.
Learning about el salón de belleza, or beauty salon in Spanish, is a must for glamorous gente (people). In 2019, 14% of revenue in the beauty industry came from digital media, like YouTube videos and tutorials. And the numbers only got higher during the lockdowns in 2020. Even with the increasing online presence of beauty gurus and experts, the experience of going to a beauty salon is irreplaceable.
The beauty salon is part of the community and is a place to socialize. There is a sense of trust between the clients and stylists. After all, you’re entrusting your beauty to them! If you work in the beauty industry, you can become a trusted hairdresser that the community needs or a massage therapist who Spanish-speaking people feel comfortable with. With the vocabulary from this post, you’ll feel at home if you ever visit a beauty salon in a Spanish-speaking country.
Ready for a nuevo (new) look? Here are some of the most common services that beauty and hair salons in Spanish offer.
Hairdressing (Servicios de peluquería): Hairdressing is cutting and/or styling hair. It’s one of the most common services in a beauty salon. Haircut translates to Spanish as corte de pelo o cabello. The technician, known in English as hairdresser or hairstylist, is known in Spanish as el peluquero or la peluquera. El/la estilista is a term applied to either gender.
Hair Coloring (Pintar el pelo): Coloring your hair (pintar el pelo) involves changing your hair color by applying bleach or dye. Most hairdressers are trained to do it in a way that will preserve the health of your hair.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| aluminium foil | el papel aluminio |
| ammonia | la amonia |
| bleach/lightener | el blanqueador/aclarador |
| developer | el desarrollador de tinte |
| hair dyes | los colorantes para el cabello |
| to bleach the color | decolorar el color |
| to dye hair | pintar el pelo/cabello |
| to lift the color | levantar el color |
| to lighten the color | aclarar el color |
| toner | el toner |
Hair Removal (La depilación): Hair removal (la depilación) entails removing body hair from parts of the body like the armpits, face, chest, and legs. Remember to exfoliate and rehydrate your skin after a waxing session with natural and safe products.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| cold wax | la cera caliente |
| cold wax | la cera fría |
| laser depilation | la depilación láser |
| threading | la depilación con hilo |
| to shaver | asurar |
| to wax | depilar |
| wax beads | las perlas de cera |
Manicures and Pedicures: La manicura or el manicure (manicure) is a beauty treatment for hands and fingernails. It’s done in beauty salons or at a manicura-a nail salon in Spanish. Manicures consist of cutting, filling, shaping, and cleaning the fingernails. They may also include hand massages and application of fingernail polish. La pedicura or el pedicure (pedicure) is done for the feet and toenails and involves exfoliation, moisturizing, and massage. Both treatments serve cosmetic, relaxing, and therapeutic purposes.
Skin Care and Facials: El cuidado de la piel (skin care) encompasses practices that support skin integrity to improve it and relieve skin conditions such as acne. Most beauty salons offer skin care routines and services for skin nutrition, hydration, exfoliation, and the application of skin care products and face masks. La estética facial (facial) is a beauty treatment that slows the signs of aging, improves hydration, and gives the skin a healthy glow.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| anti-wrinkle treatment | el tratamiento anti-arrugas |
| facial and corporal radiofrequency | la radiofrecuencia facial y corporal |
| facial hydration | la hidratación facial |
| hyaluronic acid infiltrations | las infiltraciones de ácido hialurónico |
| nutrients and vitamins infiltrations | las infiltraciones de nutrientes y vitaminas |
| lasers | los láseres |
| extension threads for face and neck | los hilos tensores para cara y cuello |
Makeup: El maquillaje (makeup) is one of the most popular services at beauty salons, besides hairdressing. For special events or to have a makeover, look to the maquillistas (makeup artists) at your favorite beauty salon.
Spa Treatments: Many beauty salons offer spa-like treatments. Pamper yourself with these services. Check out the vocabulary you need to request these treatments at the beauty salon in Spanish.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| aromatherapy | la aromaterapia |
| aromatherapist | el aromaterapeuta |
| essential oils | los aceites esenciales |
| hyperbaric chamber | la cámara hiperbárica |
| hyperbaric oxygen therapy | la terapia de oxígeno hiperbárica |
| massage | el masaje |
| massage table | la mesa de masajes |
| masseuse/massage therapist | el masajista |
| meditation | la meditación |
| mud baths | los baños de lodo |
| oxygen therapy | la terapia de oxígeno |
In bustling beauty salons, many conversations happen at the same time. It’s impossible not to overhear some of them! It’s a great way to attune your ear to the rhythm and pace of spoken Spanish. Here are some examples of how to ask your estilista what you want:
Conversation 1
Conversation 2
Conversation 3
Conversation 4
tags: #bikini #wax #definition #spanish
