You can remove hair in the bikini area using wax (waxing). However, this method can be uncomfortable and can be expensive if you do it at a salon. Waxing yourself at home is a great option! First clean and exfoliate the area, then find a comfortable place to wax. Apply the warmed hard wax to this area, in small sections. After that, apply soothing aloe vera gel and gently exfoliate the area to prevent ingrown hairs.
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Part 1 of 4: Setting Up the Bikini Area
Step 1. Make sure the hair is about 0.5 cm to 1 cm long
You must have hair of the ideal length before waxing. Hair less than 0.5 cm is too short because the wax will not hold the hair. Hair that exceeds 1 cm is too long because there is too much hair for the wax to grip. It also makes the process painful.
- If the hair is too short, let it grow for 1-2 weeks first.
- If the hair is too long, cut it to about 0.5 cm using an electric shaver.
Step 2. Take ibuprofen about 20-45 minutes before waxing (if desired)
Waxing can be a little painful, especially if it's your first time doing it! Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) can reduce pain while waxing, and minimize pain after waxing. The standard dose for adults is 400 mg.
- After taking the drug, drink one glass of water, at least 20 minutes before waxing for the effect of the drug to work.
- You can take the drug again (at a dose of 400 mg) 4 hours later if the pain has not gone away.
Step 3. Clean and exfoliate the bikini area
Take your clothes off from the waist down and head into the bathroom. Apply a mild cleanser to the bikini area, then apply a gentle exfoliating scrub. Rub in a gentle circular motion, and rinse with warm water until clean. Dry the area by patting it.
- This cleaning will reduce the risk of infection.
- Exfoliating removes the top layer of dead skin cells and leaves the hair exposed. This makes it easier for the wax to grip.
Step 4. Wear comfortable and soft underwear
The panties will give you an idea of where to smear the wax and protect the sensitive area from drops of wax hitting the wrong place. After waxing, these soft panties will feel soft on the skin and reduce irritation.
You can protect your underwear by tucking a soft tissue around the elastic band that goes around the edges
Part 2 of 4: Warming the Candles
Step 1. Use a hard wax or buy a kit for waxing
The bikini area has coarse hair so it is recommended that you use a warmed hard wax. The hard wax will flow smoothly, and can be pulled out by hand once it has hardened. If it's your first time waxing, it's a good idea to buy a hard wax kit. This kit contains everything you need, including detailed instructions for use.
- Do not use soft wax and soft wax kits. This wax is perfect for handling fine hair.
- Also avoid cold wax strips. This type of wax can be painful if used in the bikini area.
Step 2. Heat the wax using a microwave or candle warmer
You must heat the hard wax before using it. Every product is not the same so you should check the instructions provided for heating it. You can melt wax in the microwave. If you want to continue using the candle in the future, consider purchasing a candle warmer. The heater will keep the wax at the right temperature when you use it. You can also take it into the bathroom.
Warm the wax until it reaches the thickness recommended in the product directions. A good consistency is one similar to honey or warm syrup, which is pourable, but still thick
Step 3. Stir in the warm wax and test the temperature on the arm
Stir the warm wax with a dabbing wand until it reaches the desired consistency. Dip the wand in the wax and apply the wax to the arm to test the temperature. The candle should be warm, not hot. If it still feels hot on the skin of your arm, let the wax cool for a while.
Step 4. Find a safe place to apply the wax
Do not wax in the living room or common room at home. Find a closed and comfortable place. Wait until no one is home so no one will enter the place. You should have complete privacy and relax while doing so.
- You can wax on the bed or on the floor (on a towel) for comfort.
- Place a mirror in front of your body so you can see your work.
Part 3 of 4: Applying the Wax
Step 1. Gently pull on the skin to tighten it where you want to start waxing
Where to start is up to you, but make a systematic plan for applying the wax as you will be doing this in sections. For example, you could start on your inner thighs and work your way up to your groin, then back toward your butt. Use your non-dominant hand to gently pull the skin where you want to start waxing.
Sitting in front of a mirror will help you a lot when doing this part. You can easily see all the parts that have been completed and the parts that have not been waxed
Step 2. Apply the wax 2.5 cm wide and 8 cm long
Take a warm wax with a dabbing wand, then gently dab it on the first part of the skin. Apply the wax to the thickness of a coin.
Step 3. Apply the wax to the skin in the same direction as the hair growth
This is to facilitate the extraction process and reduce pain. Apply the wax slightly past where the hair stops growing so you have a handle to pull the wax away from the skin.
Step 4. Let the wax harden for 30 seconds
When it cools down, the wax will harden. You can pull it off easily once the wax has hardened. To see if the wax is hard enough to pull, try tapping it with your fingernail. Candles are loud enough if they make a sound like tapping on hard plastic.
Step 5. Pull the wax that has hardened in the opposite direction of hair growth
Hold the skin firmly with your non-dominant hand. Grasp the "handle" by the end of the hardened candle with your dominant hand. Get ready! Quickly pull the wax in the opposite direction of hair growth. It's going to be a bit stinging (there's no way to fix it), but with time and lots of practice, you should be able to do it easily.
- Try to pull out the wax in one smooth motion, like when you remove a bandage.
- Do not pull the hair in a straight upward motion. Always pull in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Step 6. Continue to apply the wax systematically in small sections
Take short breaks as desired between each section. Don't try to finish waxing quickly by applying wax to large areas of skin. You won't be able to remove the hair in the area effectively and it will be more painful. Continue waxing section by section, approximately 2.5 cm wide and 8 cm long. Keep doing this diligently because you are almost done!
Step 7. Use tweezers to pull out the hair in the bikini area that the wax missed
Sterilize the tweezers first by wiping them with a cotton swab that has been dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use tweezers to pull out any hair the wax has missed. Remove the hairs one by one. For best results, always pluck the hair in the direction of hair growth.
Step 8. Clean the remaining wax with wax cleaner
If you are satisfied with the result, gently clean the bikini area with baby oil or wax cleanser. Waxing kits usually come with a special cleaner (this is why they are recommended for those who are new to waxing). However, you can also use baby oil to clean it.
Part 4 of 4: Caring for the Bikini Area
Step 1. Apply aloe vera gel to soothe freshly waxed skin
Once all wax residue has been removed, gently apply cool aloe vera gel to the bikini area. This can soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation. The newly waxed area will be slightly red and painful for a few hours. This is a very normal thing.
Step 2. Use a cortisone cream to treat redness and swelling
If the bikini area looks inflamed, apply a small amount of over-the-counter cortisone cream to the area. Creams containing 1% cortisone are usually very suitable for this.
Step 3. Avoid direct sunlight on the bikini area for 24 hours
If you're already planning to go to the beach or the pool, it's a good idea to wax one day in advance and give your skin a few hours to cool off. The sun's rays will exacerbate the irritation on freshly waxed skin. Salt water and chlorine (in swimming pools) will sting the skin.
Step 4. Gently exfoliate the bikini area to prevent ingrown hairs
Do not exfoliate immediately after waxing because the skin will be very sensitive and experience a little irritation. Once the irritation subsides (within 1 or 2 days), apply a gentle exfoliating scrub to the area while you shower. Scrub in a gentle circular motion, then rinse the area thoroughly.
Step 5. Wax the bikini area every 3-4 weeks, as needed
Plan a waxing schedule and stick to it regularly. If you don't wax for more than 3 or 4 weeks, the hair in the area will be too long and you will feel more pain when you do it. By sticking to a waxing cycle strictly, your skin will get used to it and become more resistant to pain.
