# Waxing (may get TMI) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 27, 2005, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698 "2005-05-27T01:29:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/1 "2005-05-27T01:29:23Z")
I’m getting damn sick of shaving my legs and want to move along to waxing because I’m told stuff grows back slower and finer. What do I need to know? I’ve tried the lower legs once before, and the pain wasn’t too terrible. But if I want to rip off everything below the waist (full leg and brazilian) is that too much to attempt all at once for a beginner? How do I prepare for my appointment, besides being clean? Should I moisturize? Exfoliate? Take Advil beforehand for the pain? Since I’m going in for the first time and I haven’t shaved in a while, my leg hair is longish and soft, not stubbly. Do I need to trim in order for the wax to grab on properly, or is long better? If I trim, how short should it be? For the brazilian stuff, do I lie there half-naked or am I supposed to keep little undies on (don’t want to shock/insult the esthetician by doing the wrong thing)? Please feel free to tell me about your experiences so I can decide whether or not to chicken out! ---
**Author:** ![Priam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/77aa72/32.png) [@Priam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Priam)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/2 "2005-05-27T01:37:37Z")
Do you mind if I tack on my own questions? Feel free to tell a moderator if you feel like it’s hijacking your thread; I won’t mind. I’m interested in waxing my chest. I’d much prefer to do it at home if possible, but I’m not sure about products or steps to take. Could someone with experience chime in here? ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/3 "2005-05-27T01:43:39Z")
[This thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=312706) might have some answers. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/4 "2005-05-27T01:48:08Z")
I’m pretty sure it’s not possible to wear any kind of undergarment and get a Brasilain. They go after everything, from the vicinity of the anus right up front to the bikini line, customarily leaving only a strip of hair just above the parting of the labia majora. I’m guessing the poor folks who provide this service have seen more than their share of funky genitalia. Probably no need for modesty, or concern over offending them with your nakedness. Chances are you’re a sanitary and well-groomed lady, and they’ll find ripping all your pubic hair out at the roots a rare treat. ---
**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/5 "2005-05-27T02:26:47Z")
Anyone have any brands to recommend? ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/6 "2005-05-27T02:40:12Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Chances are you’re a sanitary and well-groomed lady, and they’ll find ripping all your pubic hair out at the roots a rare treat. Um… thanks? I think? Thanks for the link, **Cyros** , I managed to miss that in my search. But my biggest question is: am I trying too much at once? ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/7 "2005-05-27T03:20:45Z")
OUcccccccccccccH…SCL whimpers off to sweet talk her razor… ---
**Author:** ![mlerose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@mlerose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlerose)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/8 "2005-05-27T16:26:09Z")
> [@monica](#): > > Anyone have any brands to recommend? I told my waxing story in the other thread, but the wax I use for my legs is [SurgiWax](http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=76296&catid=36317&trx=PLST-0-SRCH&trxp1=36317&trxp2=76296&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH) and for bikini area is [SurgiWax for bikini area](http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=95142&catid=50625&trx=PLST-0-SRCH&trxp1=50625&trxp2=95142&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH) . I’ve tried a lot of different products and I like these best. I have super sensitive leg skin, and most waxes have lots of chemicals. Surgiwax is just rosin, beeswax, and glycerin. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/9 "2005-05-27T16:48:35Z")
For facial and chest waxing, Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit is the way to go. Trim the hair to just under 1/2 inch long but over 1/4 inch long and wax away. It works well and clean up is a breeze. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/10 "2005-05-27T16:50:18Z")
I would try with your ankles first, wait a few days and then go for more. I would not do half your body first go. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/11 "2005-05-27T16:55:31Z")
> [@lee](#): > > I would try with your ankles first, wait a few days and then go for more. I would not do half your body first go. … and you certainly don’t want to do all of one leg before you start on the other one… ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/12 "2005-05-27T18:25:12Z")
Okay, I’ve got a dumb question for the Brazilian waxers. You can’t wax until it’s a certain length, right? So you can’t do maintenance with a razor, right? Do you just look good in your bikini for a couple days and then have to hide in long pants until you can get it done again? ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/13 "2005-05-27T18:29:14Z")
Well, it is not like shaving, it does not break off hair, the hair has to grow back, and it takes a while for it to recover from the shock and start to grow and then even longer to reach the surface. After it reaches the surface, it is only fine new hair tips at first which is not as unsightly as stubble. Also only a portion will grow right away, some will be in the dormant phase. ---
**Author:** ![Cherry2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cherry2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cherry2000)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/14 "2005-05-27T18:32:59Z")
As for the question about being nekkid, most salons will give you a pair of paper panties to wear during your waxing. They will then have you hold them to the side as required. If you are unsure of what the procedure is where you plan to go, just call and ask them. As for the question about doing too much in the first round: depends on you and your personal threshold for pain. If you have sensitive skin (like I do), you might want to try one area first and see how it goes. Also, the skill of the waxer comes in to play here. If this is the first time going to a new person, definitely try a smaller area first. If you like her and have good results, you can do more next time. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/15 "2005-05-27T19:03:20Z")
[http://www.hairfacts.com/](http://www.hairfacts.com/) is a pretty good site to discuss different hair removal techniques. See their [waxing forum](http://www.hairtell.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB12). ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxing-may-get-tmi/305698/16 "2005-05-27T22:43:34Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > But my biggest question is: am I trying too much at once? I think that’d be way too much at once. The first time I got waxed, all I got was a bikini wax, and that was plenty. I don’t do brazilian waxes, but my waxer did say that she recommends that you take a couple of Tylenol _before_ you go in - about 30-45 minutes before so it’ll have some time to kick in before your wax - and maybe one or two after it’s over. Oh, and you can’t wear any undies and you’ll have to get up on your knees doggie style so she can get between your butt cheeks. Enjoy! 😃