Not H&F: Brazilians

[emuni04]

Who has had a Brazilian?

I am taking the plunge, because A) I really need to regain confidence in the bedroom if there will ever be baby No. 2 (ha) and B) we are taking at least one cruise and one beach trip this spring/summer and I need to get back to grooming. I basically have not groomed myself since March of 2012, when I got pg. Unless you count what the nurses had to "take care of" before my C-section.

So, questions:

* Be honest - how bad did it hurt?
* Do I need to pre-groom prior to my appt? I read that it is best to not shave at least 2 weeks prior, but is too much hair not a good thing either?

[Mushe]

I started getting them a year ago (so 1 year post c-section), and won't go back to shaving. So much easier, IMO.

They say long hair hurts more for you, but I didn't really notice a difference. I think if it's too long, it can be harder to wax, but a 2 week stubble would be good.

For prep, it's good to exfoliate beforehand. I use Tend Skin every day after to prevent ingrown hairs, or there are a ton of other products.

I'm not bothered by them, to be honest. Any parts that hurt are just momentary. Good luck!

[taratru]

That's the full bare look, right? I did that once, at the request of an ex boyfriend. I felt like a 10 year old and didn't like it. It didn't hurt or anything, and I seem to remember using some kind of special lotion to avoid ingrown hairs. It also itched like a mother.

[ebeth]

I don't get brazilians but I do wax in the bikini area.

for the most part it's not too bad except the area right above your pubic bone. I prefer the pain of waxing to the red bumps I get with shaving though.

you might want to trim a little prior to the appointment if you've literally done 0 grooming since March 2012. I think the hair only has to be about half an inch to wax.

you are wise to get started now before spring and summer trips. as you wax consistently the results last longer IME.

[minion]

I've done it. Not bad at all.

[minion]

Here's a link to one of the pages I read up on before getting my first one. simplymias.com/about-us/q-a-about-female-brazilians/

[katietornado]

Jan 8, 2014 13:34:32 GMT -5 emuni04 said:

Who has had a Brazilian?

I am taking the plunge, because A) I really need to regain confidence in the bedroom if there will ever be baby No. 2 (ha) and B) we are taking at least one cruise and one beach trip this spring/summer and I need to get back to grooming. I basically have not groomed myself since March of 2012, when I got pg. Unless you count what the nurses had to "take care of" before my C-section.

So, questions:

* Be honest - how bad did it hurt?
* Do I need to pre-groom prior to my appt? I read that it is best to not shave at least 2 weeks prior, but is too much hair not a good thing either?

It's really not that bad.  The worst part is what someone else said: right above the pubic bone.  It stings, like tears in your eyes pain.  But the rest is not so bad.

It won't work if your hair is too short.  And too long hurts really bad.  A half inch of growth is probably perfect, erring on the longer side.

Make sure your salon uses HARD WAX.  Soft wax is the kind that uses linen sheets and OMFG...it is a mess and it hurts so badly.  Hard wax is a million times better, cleaner, and less painful.

You'll be fine!  Take a few advil a half hour before, and you'll do great.  It is 100% worth it, and you'll feel amazing after.

ETA: I do my own brazilians now with hard wax, and would never be able to do it with soft wax.  Here's what I use: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GDOYB6/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[westbeast]

Jan 8, 2014 16:38:31 GMT -5 katietornado said:

Make sure your salon uses HARD WAX.  Soft wax is the kind that uses linen sheets and OMFG...it is a mess and it hurts so badly.  Hard wax is a million times better, cleaner, and less painful.

Hmmm, interesting.  The salon I went to must have used the soft wax because it F'ING hurt!!  I didn't think about there being different kinds of waxes so I was surprised that all these responses said it wasn't that bad.  

OP - I thought it was terrible and haven't done it since I had it done that one time about four years ago.  I may give it another try now though to see if it was the wax or if I'm just a wuss.  The pain was killer but did not linger.  I agree with the two week or so growout.

[emuni04]

Thank you!

I do plan to trim a little in advance because seriously, it's pretty bad.

Going in Friday...it's time. Thanks for the tips, advice, and reassurance

[wannabe]

I've gone once. You may have heard my screams from wherever on the world you are.

Never went back.

[texassmith]

I've never had a brazilian wax, but I did shave it all off one time to try it out, and

((((TMI ALERT))))

I got wicked chafing on a long run. EVERYWHERE IN THAT REGION. It was the worst thing ever.

So now I just keep things nicely trimmed. I apparently need a buffer between my skin and compression pants, lol.

[shelbyann]

I did it for the first time a couple of months ago and it hurt like HELL...but I have heard it hurts much worse when PG, so that might be why. 100% worth it though. It's so nice not to be prickly down there.

At my last appt I tried "sugaring" instead of waxing and it was much less painful, although it took longer and was a little more expensive. Might be worth looking in to if your salon offers it.

[emilyj]

I am a devotee. So much easier than shaving. No razor burn ever!

I am a big baby when it comes to pain. The first one hurt the worst, but it wasn't terrible. Above the pubic bone is the worst. If you have a good waxer, they'll go a looooooong way in minimizing sting and pain. If you can get recommendations for a good waxer, it will be tremendous.

I've never done Advil or anything before. One thing to note though - you will be most sensitive right before and during your period, so try to avoid going then.

[labbie]

Jan 8, 2014 16:38:31 GMT -5 katietornado said:

Jan 8, 2014 13:34:32 GMT -5 emuni04 said:

Who has had a Brazilian?

I am taking the plunge, because A) I really need to regain confidence in the bedroom if there will ever be baby No. 2 (ha) and B) we are taking at least one cruise and one beach trip this spring/summer and I need to get back to grooming. I basically have not groomed myself since March of 2012, when I got pg. Unless you count what the nurses had to "take care of" before my C-section.

So, questions:

* Be honest - how bad did it hurt?
* Do I need to pre-groom prior to my appt? I read that it is best to not shave at least 2 weeks prior, but is too much hair not a good thing either?

It's really not that bad.  The worst part is what someone else said: right above the pubic bone.  It stings, like tears in your eyes pain.  But the rest is not so bad.

It won't work if your hair is too short.  And too long hurts really bad.  A half inch of growth is probably perfect, erring on the longer side.

Make sure your salon uses HARD WAX.  Soft wax is the kind that uses linen sheets and OMFG...it is a mess and it hurts so badly.  Hard wax is a million times better, cleaner, and less painful.

You'll be fine!  Take a few advil a half hour before, and you'll do great.  It is 100% worth it, and you'll feel amazing after.

ETA: I do my own brazilians now with hard wax, and would never be able to do it with soft wax.  Here's what I use: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GDOYB6/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am so impressed that you do your own. Years ago I tried to wax just my bikini line and ended up in tears in the bathroom- once that wax is on there's no way to turn back!! It was a disaster, but then again I'm sure I wasn't using the right stuff.

[mfluder]

Jan 8, 2014 16:50:03 GMT -5 emuni04 said:

Thank you!

I do plan to trim a little in advance because seriously, it's pretty bad.

Going in Friday...it's time. Thanks for the tips, advice, and reassurance

I pretty much did nothing (maybe an occasional scissor trim) before and went. They trimmed for me before starting, which seemed safer to me than going to short.

Someone mentioned running after and getting irratated - the places I've gone have highly recommended avoiding getting warm or heated (so showering, exercising, etc) for 24 hours after. I do think this has helped (the few times I got irratated I had forgot the rule lol).

Oh. It hurts. I am a wimp though. But it gets better the following times.

[mfluder]

Jan 8, 2014 21:53:54 GMT -5 Aloe Vera said:

I really want to get one but the price coupled with the upkeep is what is making me pause.
If you wax it several times, does the grow slow down at some point? Is the hair going away in some spots? Is there some longterm benefit eventually?

price and upkeep are annoying. It usually means I don't go as often as recommended (like 2-4 a year, although I just found a really reasonably priced place here to go more often), but it definitely has been growing In slowe and less the more I go.

[katietornado]

Jan 8, 2014 21:53:54 GMT -5 Aloe Vera said:

I really want to get one but the price coupled with the upkeep is what is making me pause.
If you wax it several times, does the grow slow down at some point? Is the hair going away in some spots? Is there some longterm benefit eventually?

I got Brazilians for several years and it didn't slow the growth really.  I finally got 10 sessions of laser hair removal on the area over about two years (no brazilians during that time; only shaving), and that has reduced it by about 75%.  I spent around $300 on that using Groupons.  100% worth it.  labbie, that is probably the only reason I'm able to do it on myself...there's not a ton left!  And let's just say that getting to the lowest area is...ah...interesting.

[Deleted]

My sister had it done years ago. It didn't go well. When they 'pulled up the carpet' let's just say that they damaged the underlay. It's put me off for life.

[shauni27]

Jan 8, 2014 14:30:02 GMT -5 taratru said:

That's the full bare look, right? I did that once, at the request of an ex boyfriend. I felt like a 10 year old and didn't like it. It didn't hurt or anything, and I seem to remember using some kind of special lotion to avoid ingrown hairs. It also itched like a mother.

I agree.  While I have had a few waxes, never a full brazilian because...I am a woman damnit, and I want to feel like a woman!

I know that is not a popular opinion, most people like it bare down there.

[al320]

Jan 9, 2014 7:56:52 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Jan 8, 2014 14:30:02 GMT -5 taratru said:

That's the full bare look, right? I did that once, at the request of an ex boyfriend. I felt like a 10 year old and didn't like it. It didn't hurt or anything, and I seem to remember using some kind of special lotion to avoid ingrown hairs. It also itched like a mother.

I agree.  While I have had a few waxes, never a full brazilian because...I am a woman damnit, and I want to feel like a woman!

I know that is not a popular opinion, most people like it bare down there.

I totally and completely agree with this, i thought i was the only one lol

Having said that, im actually getting my first full bikini wax today, butdefinitely not going totally bare. I had laser on my bikini line, i just want a little more off, its mostly because of swimming.

[emuni04]

Jan 8, 2014 23:19:15 GMT -5 mfluder said:

Jan 8, 2014 16:50:03 GMT -5 emuni04 said:

Thank you!

I do plan to trim a little in advance because seriously, it's pretty bad.

Going in Friday...it's time. Thanks for the tips, advice, and reassurance

I pretty much did nothing (maybe an occasional scissor trim) before and went. They trimmed for me before starting, which seemed safer to me than going to short.

Someone mentioned running after and getting irratated - the places I've gone have highly recommended avoiding getting warm or heated (so showering, exercising, etc) for 24 hours after. I do think this has helped (the few times I got irratated I had forgot the rule lol).

Oh. It hurts. I am a wimp though. But it gets better the following times.

I'm a wimp, too! But I'm doing it!

[emuni04]

Jan 9, 2014 3:32:37 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

My sister had it done years ago. It didn't go well. When they 'pulled up the carpet' let's just say that they damaged the underlay. It's put me off for life.

I'm going to pretend that I didn't read this!