I'm new to theknot but I was on the wedding beauty board and I was reading so many questions about waxing. Here's a few little pointers for you girls to think about before going all crazy with the bikini wax:
(one up for you Baltimore Girls- check out Medical Skin Therapeutics in Ellicott City for some before-wedding beauty tips from yours truly) = )
Waxing:
#1 Make sure you go to someone who has been referred to you. It's surprising how many people do waxings without being properly trained. We get a lot of women who have been waxed incorrectly come into our medical spa who have had BAD experiences. So a good referral is key.
#2 Ask about the wax used. Is it meant for sensitive skin? Is it a honey base, beezwax base, etc? Is a hot or cold wax? Do they monitor the temperature or is the heat a standard setting? Sometimes people think they've had a reaction to the wax when really they had a reaction to the heat and potentially the cream used on the skin afterwards.
#3 Remember to do a trial run of underarm hair or a basic bikini wax about 6 weeks before your wedding to make sure you react well to the wax used.
#4 I suggest getting waxed a few times before your honeymoon to ensure that you'll have no regrowth while on your trip. The purpose of this is to get as much hair on different growth cycles as possible. At this point the hair that grows back should be less brittle and more fine.
#4 When you're going for the real thing make sure you plan a week before the BIG EVENT for things to settle down- down there. = )
#5 DO NOT GET WAXED THE WEEK BEFORE YOUR PERIOD OR THE WEEK OF unless you can handle more pain. You are WAY more sensitive during this time.
#6 Take an antihistamine a half hour before you get waxed. Some people react with little "skin bumps" that are a histamine reaction. Usually an antihistamine like Bendryl taken beforehand will eliminate this problem.
#7 Go buy Bikini Zone Gel or Cream from the drugstore. This is the best for prevention of ingrown hairs, longer lasting wax job etc. It's fabulous even if you are just a shaver and don't want to go with waxing in the end.
Good luck ladies!!! xo