# So...I'm Going to Wax "Down There"...Any advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 7, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467 "2003-12-07T01:09:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DoperChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/1 "2003-12-07T01:09:23Z")
Two first timers here (my friend and I) are planning on getting bikini waxes tomorrow and we’d like some advice. Specifically, [ul] [li]How badly does it hurt?[/li][li]What should we do, if anything, to prep the area?[/li][li]How long should one refrain from any extra curricular activity that might irritate the area?[/li][/ul] Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, DoperChic ---
**Author:** ![boofy\_bloke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@boofy\_bloke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boofy_bloke)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/2 "2003-12-07T01:33:25Z")
1. It will hurt at least as much as your legs. 2. Do nothing to prep. Don’t apply moisturisers, perfumes, talcs, etc. 3. You can use the area as soon as you feel like it. You can even do it WHILE you’re waxing. 4. Are you just talking about bikini or are you going the full Brazilian? ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/3 "2003-12-07T01:38:46Z")
How much it hurts depends upon where you’re getting waxed. Are you getting a brazilian (all of it removed) or a plain bikini wax (just the edges)? If you’re getting a regular bikini wax, it’s not too bad (at least in my experience), but it will hurt enough to take your breath away when the waxer pulls off the strips. I’ve never really prepared the area first, though others might have suggestions on how to. For after, my waxer recommends a product called “Skin Tend,” which is sold in some spas. She says it helps soothe the area and reduces some of the irritation. As far as extracirricular activities, you shouldn’t have to refrain longer than one night. And by extracurricular, I mean things like running (bad idea after a wax - trust me) and other aerobic exercise. As far as sex goes, if you’re not getting a brazilian, and if you do it in the right position, it probably wouldn’t be painful, but the skin in that area will likely be a little red and maybe slightly puffy, too. Not exactly sexy. Good luck! If you’re really worried about it hurting (particularly if you’re having everything removed), my waxer told me that some people take a couple of Tylenol first. I’ve never needed that - it’s really not all that bad. Think very, very large Band Aid with an impressively strong seal. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lynne\_kilii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lynne\_kilii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynne_kilii)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/4 "2003-12-07T01:38:55Z")
Hopefully you’ve prepped by not shaving for a week or so? also, the part closest to your tummy hurts the worst, hurting less the further …down… you go. Odd, I know. The waxing specialist I went to was all, swear, mumble, shriek, whatever, I’ve heard it all before… I don’t think it hurt that much. I’d go back if I had the cash, and I’m a wuss (although some people think I’m not, because I give blood, get “the shot”, and am contemplating a tattoo.) ---
**Author:** ![DoperChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/5 "2003-12-07T04:03:57Z")
I’m talking about full Brazillian here - everything’s gotta go. Thanks for the advice all. Keep it coming I feel a little better about the whole thing now. I definitely plan on taking something, overlyverbose. Whether it be Tylenol, Advil, or something else, I’m not exactly sure yet. DoperChic ---
**Author:** ![DoperChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/6 "2003-12-07T04:12:51Z")
Oops, missed this one… Lynne\_kilii, yes I have prepped by not shaving. That’s one of the few things that I was able to think of doing. UPDATE: The salon we want to go to is closed tomorrow, so we’re going to wait until Tuesday. Wish us luck! DoperChic ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/7 "2003-12-07T05:45:39Z")
Best advice I ever got for shaving was to use deodorant afterward - it really helps with the whole razor burn thing - no really, try it. But I don’t know if it helps with waxing, so maybe I’m not helpful. ---
**Author:** ![0rbytal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/65b543/32.png) [@0rbytal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/0rbytal)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/8 "2003-12-07T05:46:57Z")
Does anyone know any guys who have waxed ‘down there’? I have shaved before… i like that its more sensitive, but my wife hates the “pokies” as she calls them… ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/9 "2003-12-07T06:26:46Z")
Don’t suppose you’ll be taking before and after pictures for -ahem- “the archives”? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/10 "2003-12-07T09:02:03Z")
“Down there”? You mean Australia? ---
**Author:** ![wendyrules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/85e7bf/32.png) [@wendyrules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wendyrules)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/11 "2003-12-07T09:09:57Z")
Maybe she does JThunder! All lot of Aussies are Brazillian!! 😉 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/12 "2003-12-07T13:04:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wendyrules \* > **Maybe she does JThunder!** Why does **JT** get first crack at the “full monty” while the rest of us wait and wonder? This sounds like the perfect photo op for **OpalCat** ’s Doper calendar project. ---
**Author:** ![wireless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f14d63/32.png) [@wireless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wireless)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/13 "2003-12-07T14:45:03Z")
IME the pain associated with _any_ waxing is inversely proportional to the experience of the technician/aesthetician. Newbies = OUCH! The tylenol/advil idea is a good one. The area will be a little pink and odd looking for a few hours after. It’s “TendSkin” (not Skin Tend) and it’s good stuff, but not RIGHT after (it’s got alcohol in it and will STING). Best for preventing ingrowns on regrowth. ---
**Author:** ![DoperChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/14 "2003-12-07T14:56:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ghanima \* > \*\*Best advice I ever got for shaving was to use deodorant afterward \*\* My friend got some cream specifically meant for use after bikini waxes, so I’m going to try some of that. It’s supposed to help with pain and ingrowns. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dutchboy208 \* > \*\*Don’t suppose you’ll be taking before and after pictures for -ahem- “the archives”? 😉 \*\* Sorry dutchboy, but I’m not so fond of the idea of having pics of my nether regions floating around forever in cyberspace. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Horseflesh \* > \*\*This sounds like the perfect photo op for **OpalCat** ’s Doper calendar project. \*\* See above. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wireless \* > \*\*IME the pain associated with _any_ waxing is inversely proportional to the experience of the technician/aesthetician. > Newbies = OUCH! > > The tylenol/advil idea is a good one. > > The area will be a little pink and odd looking for a few hours after. > > It’s “TendSkin” (not Skin Tend) and it’s good stuff, but not RIGHT after (it’s got alcohol in it and will STING). Best for preventing ingrowns on regrowth. \*\* We plan on going to a higher end salon, especially since it’s our first time, so hopefully that’ll help prevent the whole newbie technician/aesthetician factor. I’ve decided on a combo of tylenol/advil. I’m prepared - at least as much as I can be - for the pinkness/oddness of the area. I’ll look into TendSkin, but first I’m going to try my friend’s stuff. DoperChic ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/15 "2003-12-07T15:14:39Z")
**DoperChic** If you want something for pain. I’d recommend a few shots of t-keela. (hmmm… I meant tequila.) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/16 "2003-12-07T19:21:42Z")
Try to time it for the week after your period. During the week before, and during, you’ll feel more tender in that area. I found this out from the “Encyclopedia Madonnica”, which contains an entry about MoMo’s waxing habits. [size]On another note, congrats to me on my 1,000th post[/size]. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/17 "2003-12-07T19:22:49Z")
Of course, you’d think I wouldn’t be so excited about the whole thing that I’d hit “submit” instead of “preview”. I’m a spaz like that. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/18 "2003-12-07T21:20:11Z")
It’s really not much worse than your legs, evenless painful than underarms (but takes a bit longer). What kind of place are you going to? The, um, ‘classy’ places seem more inviting what with the cleanlinessand scented oils, but sometimes you just need a burly Russian woman to insist you take your underwear off, twist and turn you around a bit and get you out of there in under 5 minutes. Good choice of Brazilian, though. I must say I don’t quite understand regular bikini waxes (though I do understand why one would want to keep a ‘landing strip’ to avoid looking like a 10 year old girl) ---
**Author:** ![Standup\_Karmic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/19 "2003-12-07T22:08:58Z")
Ok…really uninformed male checking in here. How does this all work? You sit in a chair? Lie on a bed? You’re naked from the waist down? What does it cost? Are there guys that do this for a living or is it always women? Why not just do it at home? ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467/20 "2003-12-07T22:19:53Z")
(From my own experience only, YMMV). **How does this all work? You sit in a chair? Lie on a bed?** You lie on a paper-covered table that can be slanted to make a chair, like at the doctor’s. \*\* You’re naked from the waist down?\*\* For a Brazilian, yes. For a bikini wax, you wear whatever bathing suit/g-string you want to be able to wear in public. The width of your “landing-strip” in this case, is determined by sliding a paper towel under the front panel of your undies and tying it to make it bunch in the middle, so that the sides are exposed to be waxed. I have to get bikini waxes, Brazilians are not an option for me, because of some… anatomical issues. **What does it cost?** Depends on where you go, and how much you have waxed. I, personally, can get one bikini session for 15 or 20 bucks. \*\* Are there guys that do this for a living or is it always women?\*\* Probably. **Why not just do it at home?** YOU try ripping your own hair out by the roots in large patches or strips all at once. It’s hard to override the instinct to **not** inflict pain on yourself. I bled the first time. If I’d been at home, I would have been too freaked out after seeing the blood to continue, and then I would have been lopsided. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-going-to-wax-down-there-any-advice/217467.md?page=2)