Bikini Waxing 101

The process may sound intimidating, but the truth is that at-home bikini waxing is more common than you might think. Why? Privacy, time and money. The bikini area can be embarrassing, so privacy is a concern for a lot of women. And, waxing at home costs a lot less than going to the salon. Plus, there are no time constraints. If you get the urge to wax at 10:00 p.m. on a Friday night – only moments before you weekend in the sun – so be it! Seasoned hair removal gurus will agree that waxing is the best way to remove hair from the bikini area. On average, results last anywhere from 3-6 weeks. And less hair re-growth means less hair maintenance! Unlike shaving and depilatory creams which only remove hair at the skins surface, waxing removes hair from the root so hair grows back lighter and finer.

The disadvantage to waxing (whether done at home or at a salon) is that it can be painful. If you have sensitive skin, are overly skittish when it comes to even the slightest amount of pain, or have a sign that reads, “No pain, no pain,” hanging over your bathroom mirror, try Surgi Bikini Relief before and after waxing. Formulated with 2% Lidocane (to numb), Aloe Vera (to soothe) and Cocoa Butter & Avocado Oil (to moisturize) this lotion helps to eliminate any discomfort that may arise from waxing, while it relieves skin irritation, dryness and ingrown hairs.

[COLD WAX STRIPS]

There are a wide variety of waxes on the market today. If you’re new to bikini waxing, it’s best to try out one or two until you feel comfortable. Cold wax strips are great for beginners! Because no heat is required, there’s no chance of burning yourself. And, the wax is already on the strips, so there is no mess (which is even better if you’re traveling!) If you’re trying to remove hair from a small area, try cutting the wax strip into smaller strips for a better fit. Surgi-Wax Semi-Permanent Hair Removal Strips for Bikini, Body & Leg are formulated with tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, and come with an After-Wax Finishing Balm to soothe the skin and remove any wax residue. One Touch Strip Wax comes with Wax Prep Towelettes to clean the skin of oils and bacteria before waxing and are also great for hair removal in the bikini area.

[HOT WAX]

There are a wide variety of hot waxes on the market today. Everything from roll-on’s to microwavable waxes – even waxes that don’t require muslin strips. Again, try out a few to find which one works best for you. One great advantage to hot wax is that it works great on coarse hair – even the coarsest bikini line hair! Because the wax is hot, it seeps in between each hair, forming a strong bond at the skins surface. When it cools, and the wax is pulled off with the muslin strip, the hair has no other choice that to go with it. The all-new One Touch Professional Microwavable Roll On Waxer is great – even for waxing novices. The wax is self-contained in an ergonomically shaped bottle and rolls on smoothly and evenly. Just heat it up, roll it on. No mess, and no guess-work! If any wax is left on the skin, try using a muslin strip to pull it off. If that doesn’t work, use One Touch After Wax Cleanser, a gentle emollient-rich formula with Vitamin E to moisturize your newly waxed skin. It’s also great for removing wax residue from the roller-head of your One Touch Professional Microwavable Roll On Waxer.

For those interested in a hot wax that doesn’t require muslin strips, there’s Surgi-Wax Microwave Hair Remover. This unique wax is formulated to remove coarse hair in sensitive areas and requires no muslin strips because the wax remains pliable once it cools – just pull up slightly on the edge of the wax and pull off! .

[HAIR RE-GROWTH INHIBITORS]

Just think, no hair for 3-6 weeks – or maybe longer?! Surgi-Hair Stop offers a uniquely natural and advanced method of preventing hair from growing back after almost any hair removal. The natural fruit enzymes in Surgi-Hair Stop work to effectively slow unwanted hair growth and eventually lessen the hair’s ability to grow. Safe and effective, the enzymes naturally exfoliate the skin, while special conditioners leave the skin feeling soft and smooth.

Now, before you reach for that wax that’s been sitting underneath the bathroom sink but you’ve been too afraid to use, here are a few tips and tricks to make your first bikini wax a success:

• If you’re new to waxing, don’t head straight for the bikini area. Try waxing your arms or legs first to get used to the process, especially if you’re using hot wax.

• Shortcuts are a big no-no! Read the directions first, very carefully. You don’t want to turn your bikini line into a disaster area.

• If you have a sunburn, take medications like Retin-A and Accutane or use Alpha Hydroxy Acids on your skin – don’t take any chances! The rate at which your skin exfoliates increases when you have a sunburn or take ‘keratolytic’ mediations. Waxing could pull up too many of those delicate layers resulting in some serious damage!

• Remember – don’t pull the wax strip straight up! You’ll end up with a bruised bikini line (and that’s no more attractive than a hairy bikini line.) Hold the skin taught, and pull the strip off quickly in a parallel motion – the closer to the body, the better.

• Because skin tends to be more sensitive right before and right after your menstrual cycle, waxing can be more painful. Try to avoid waxing 3-4 days before and 3-4 days after your period.

• Make sure the hair in your bikini area is at least Ľ inches long. If it’s longer, trim it back.

• If you do experience discomfort after waxing, apply gentle pressure to the area with your fingertips. Ice also works to decrease sensitivity.

• Use a loofah or gentle exfoliant before waxing to get rid of dead skin cells.

• Because pores are very soft after a shower, wait several hours to allow pores to close before waxing.

• Lightly dust your bikini area with talcum powder or baby powder before waxing to absorb any excess oil or moisture on your skin. The drier your skin, the better the wax will adhere to it.

Surgi-Wax and One Touch waxing products are available at retail stores nationwide.