The world of waxing can be a daunting one, especially if you’ve never had a wax before. Don’t worry we’ve all been wax virgins at some point! But we promise the hair removal method needn’t be so scary.
Boasting long-lasting and silky-smooth results, waxing is a very popular de-fluffing method for your pubic area. But with varying waxing styles, from the bikini wax to the Brazilian wax and the one we’ll be chatting about today, the Hollywood wax, it can be a little confusing to know which treatment to book.
A Hollywood wax is the most thorough and complete option for your bikini area. It removes all your pubic hair, front and back, so there is literally no hair left. It’s called a Hollywood wax due to its popularity among Hollywood actors. The hair-free finish can last up to 2-4 weeks, making it a great choice for beach holidays or if you just fancy feeling super-smooth down there.
If you’re thinking of booking yourself in for a Hollywood wax, but you’re wondering does it hurt? Or how do I prepare for a Hollywood wax? We’ve spoken to Founder of Sugar Coated and expert wax therapist, Rosie Khandwala to get all the need-to-knows on Hollywood waxing.
What is the difference between hot wax and strip wax?
Waxing can be performed in two different ways. Firstly, strip wax, which involves using disposable pre-waxed strips to remove the hair. Secondly, hot wax, where the wax is applied directly to your skin, left to harden in seconds and then pulled off like a regular strip.
Strip wax works very well on large areas like your legs, whereas hot wax is best for stronger hairs in sensitive areas like your bikini area and under arms.
Hot wax is normally considered slightly less painful than strip wax, as regular strips involve putting more pressure on your skin. Since hot wax is applied directly to the area and then quickly pulled off like a strip it pulls less on your skin, which can help reduce redness and sensitivity.
Strip wax is a great solution for home-waxing, as they don’t require a heat source. Instead they are rubbed between your hands to warm the wax up to the correct temperature, allowing it to grip the hairs when the wax is pulled away. Whereas it is recommended to have a hot wax performed by a professional at a salon.
How to prepare for a Hollywood wax
Preparing for any wax is essential. Unless you have substantial hair growth, it simply won’t work.
“Make sure hairs are of at least 4-6 weeks growth as this will help the product grip better. Long hairs can always be trimmed down before waxing. I’d recommend trimming to around 1/4 inch,” says expert wax therapist, Rosie Khandwala.
“Don’t wax short stubble hairs as it makes it difficult for wax to adhere to the hair, which in turn can cause painful and unsatisfactory waxing results.”
Exfoliation is an important part of prepping for a wax to help minimise ingrown hairs. However, “avoid exfoliating skin just before waxing, as this can cause your skin to get over-sensitive and more prone to redness and irritation during a waxing treatment,” warns Rosie Khandwala. Instead, exfoliate at least 24 hours before your wax.
Does it hurt?
Any hair removal method that removes hair from the root isn’t pain-free. But the good news is, is that waxing is a very quick method and the more often you wax the easier it will get. Any experienced wax therapist should have you in and out within half an hour for a Hollywood wax. So while there is a level of pain involved, it doesn’t last long considering the very worthwhile results.
If you’ve never had a wax before, you may want to start with a bikini wax, before going for the full hair removal of a Hollywood.
How to prevent ingrown hairs
Pesky ingrowning hairs are something we’ve all been familiar with and something that sadly comes hand-in-hand with hair removal.
Ingrown hairs occur after a hair that’s been removed starts to grow back and curves into the skin. Shaving, tweezing and waxing are all methods that can cause ingrown hairs. They appear as tiny, swollen, sometimes red and sore bumps on your skin.
The key to preventing these pesky bumps is exfoliation. Regularly exfoliating the areas you get waxed will help buff away dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores and ingrown hairs from forming. Exfoliate about 24-48 hours before your wax and about 72 hours after your appointment.
What is the difference between a Hollywood and a Brazilian
The Hollywood vs Brazilian debate can often cause a lot of confusion. In the industry, the two terms are sometimes conflated, with some salons calling a Hollywood a Brazilian or a full Brazilian. This can cause a problem at your waxing appointment if you ask the therapist for something you don’t want.
So what is the difference?
A Brazilian wax typically leaves a small area of pubic hair at the front, normally called a landing strip. Or you can opt for a circle, triangle, or whatever shape you fancy. All remaining hair is removed, including at the back.
A Hollywood wax, as mentioned before, removes absolutely every hair at the front and back.
As always, your hair is completely your decision.
Hollywood wax aftercare
It’s important to follow careful aftercare post-wax, as your skin will be sensitised for the first 24 hours.
“Avoid exercise, hot bath/shower, sauna, steam, hot tub, pools and beaches immediately after waxing, as sweating can carry bacteria into the pores and can irritate the skin after waxing,” says Rosie Khandwala. It is also best to avoid applying tanning products to the waxed area for the first 24 hours, as this too could irritate your pores.
“I recommend applying a cold compress to the area post-wax, as this will help reduce swelling, irritation or redness that may appear,” says Rosie Khandwala.
Things to remember
Hair removal is a completely personal choice and should always be that way.
If you are a waxing newbie, book in with a professional rather than attempting an at-home wax. Opt for a hot wax over strip wax for your bikini zone as it's proven to be more effective on thicker and coarser hairs, as well as being a little less painful.
If you are going to give the de-fluffing method a go at home "don't attempt an intimate area until you have mastered waxing on other areas of the body. Legs are a good way to start," recommends Rosie Khandwala. "Keep the skin taut when removing strips as this will make waxing much less painful. To do a bikini wax, or upper inner thigh, place your leg on a chair, so it’s at a right angle at hip height to give you easier access to the area."
Happy waxing!