Everything You Need to Know About Proper Brazilian Wax Aftercare
While I’ve never gotten a Brazilian wax, I know that even though it’s painful, it’s still one of the most effective ways to remain hair-free. And if you don’t want your pain to be in vain, a.k.a. to ruin the results of your Brazilian wax, it would behoove you to know the best Brazilian wax aftercare. Because ultimately, what you do after your treatment is just as important as what actually happens during your session.
In fact, taking the extra steps to care for your skin after a Brazilian wax session can help prevent unwanted side effects. These include ingrown hairs, redness, and inflammation—which can be annoying, if not downright painful. And, unfortunately, that might be enough to ruin your waxing experience. To help you make the most of your treatment, and the money you spent on it, we decided to put together a guide on the best Brazilian wax aftercare that your readers could follow.
Keep reading to learn easy-to-follow steps to get longer-lasting results. As an added bonus, we’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about this treatment.
Brazilian Wax Aftercare
Before delving any further, it’s important to establish what a Brazilian wax is and what to expect after a session. Knowing the ins and outs of this treatment can help you understand why aftercare is so essential.
What Is A Brazilian Wax?
A Brazilian wax is a hair removal method that includes the bikini area as well as the genitals and anus. This addition separates it from the equally popular bikini wax. According to Vanity Fair, the Brazilian wax was popularized in 1970s Brazil as a response to the thong bikinis that were fashionable in that era.
What To Expect After A Brazilian Wax
Initial redness
Because waxing treatments remove hair strands from the hair follicles, there’s a bit of minor damage that happens during a Brazilian wax. Only freshly waxed skin, this damage most commonly shows up as red and irritated skin—which is completely normal.
Slight soreness and tenderness
The initial redness post-wax is visible on waxed skin, but there will also be some things you feel as a result of your wax. Namely? Soreness and tenderness in the pubic area, which may last up to 48 hours after your treatment.
Some itching
It’s also normal to experience a bit of itching in the days after your wax. This isn’t a sign that something has gone wrong. Instead, it’s a bodily response to the hair being ripped out of its follicle.
Brazilian wax after care is similar to bikini wax aftercare in most ways.
What To Do After A Brazilian Wax
Wear loose clothing immediately after your appointment.
The pubic area of your skin is already one of the most sensitive parts on your entire body. Add to that the fact that you’re waxing it, and you have every reason to be extra kind to that area. One of the easiest ways to do that is by wearing loose clothing. Doing so helps prevent ingrown hairs, friction, and irritation. So if you don’t want to irritate your skin, wear loose clothes to your appointment.
Keep the area dry and cool.
When you avoid wetting the area that you’ve just had waxed, you’re reducing your risk of infection. That’s because any amount of bacteria needs water to grow. So keeping this sensitive area dry is of the utmost importance when it comes to waxing aftercare.
Part of this wax care includes avoiding excessive heat. This means you shouldn’t go into a sauna after your treatment, and you should also avoid pools, hot tubs, or cold plunges.
Wait at least three days until you exfoliate.
Listen, I love sloughing off dead skin cells as much as the next person. However, there absolutely is a time and a place for exfoliation. Within the first couple of days following your Brazilian wax is not that time. You don’t necessarily have to wait for pubic hairs to grow back, but you should at least wait until any redness or irritation goes down. From there, start with a gentle exfoliation before going all in.
How To Exfoliate After Brazilian Wax
Step 1: Wait at least 48 hours before exfoliating.
It really does bear repeating that you shouldn’t exfoliate until at least 48 hours after your Brazilian wax. But once those two days are up, you can use a scrub to make your skin smooth.
Step 2: When you exfoliate, do so gently.
The best way to exfoliate on your skin after a Brazilian wax is to go in soft, circular motions. This will ensure that you get dead skin off of all areas in an even fashion. Moreover, your best bet is to exfoliate in the shower so that you can rinse it thoroughly.
Step 3: Apply aloe vera after exfoliating.
Aloe vera has amazing soothing and hydrating properties, which is why it’s a perfect substance to apply as wax care for after your treatment. If you don’t have a plant, consider using a serum or gel—which you can get from your local drug store.
Brazilian Wax FAQs
Can you have sex after a Brazilian wax?
Yes, but you should wait at least 24 hours—and ideally up to 48 hours—before having sex after getting a Brazilian wax.
Can you shower after a Brazilian wax?
Yes, you can shower after a Brazilian wax. It’s recommended to wait at least five hours to shower after a Brazilian wax, but you should try to wait 24 hours if possible.
What shouldn’t you do after a Brazilian wax?
As mentioned above, you shouldn’t exercise, go in a pool, sit in a hot tub, or stay in a sauna right after getting a Brazilian wax. You should also avoid having sex and exfoliating your pubic area after receiving this treatment.
Can you workout after a Brazilian wax?
For the most part, you should wait at least 24 hours before working out if you’ve gotten hair waxed in your pubic area.
How can you prevent ingrown hairs after Brazilian wax?
Follow a regular exfoliation routine in the two days after your Brazilian wax. The best gentle methods include a gentle scrub or an exfoliating mitt. You can use either method two to three times a day.
How long does a Brazilian wax take?
We’ve been doing all our research on Brazilian waxes. For instance, we previously investigated the popular question, “How long does a Brazilian wax take?” The answer, by the way, is about 30 minutes.
So now that you have this guide and answers to the most common questions about Brazilian waxes, consider booking an appointment. And if you do, let us know how it went in the comments.
