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"It's not the most glamorous question, but it's one that inevitably comes up in life: To wax or not to wax? So let's make one thing clear: Whether you wish to go all out bare or, well, not, what you do down there is entirely up to you. But just in case you had a few questions, concerns, or mortal fears about the process, we're here to help you out.\n\n Truth is, a bikini wax is a good way to keep yourself groomed for swimsuit season. And just one appointment will keep you smooth for 1.5-6 weeks (depending on your growth cycle), which makes it much lower-maintenance than shaving. Below, the beginner's guide to conquering the bikini zone, from DIY jobs to numbing creams.\n\n Who's a good candidate for waxing?\n\n Shobha Tummala, founder of Shobha Waxing Studio says, \"Waxing is a great option for almost everyone, however if you're taking skin-thinning medications like Accutane, it can be too harsh on your skin.\" Another weird little tidbit? \"If you have moles, tell your specialist not to wax over them! They should go around them.\"\n\n Is it going to hurt?\n\n Your first wax won't be a walk in the park, but each time you go, the less painful it will be. Strip Ministry of Waxing senior wax expert Natalia Romanenko recommends applying a numbing cream 30 minutes prior to waxing to help with pain. In fact, Strip sells Dr. Edna's BareEase kit, which includes Lidocaine-based cream infused with aloe and jojoba, to soothe and moisturize skin. You can also take two aspirin and drink a glass of water 45 minutes prior to your appointment to mitigate pain. Hint: If you're going Brazilian (the full front and back treatment), this is a pretty wise precaution.\n\n Helpful pointers for your first wax:\n\n The most important rule of all? Be clean. \"Bathe like you would if you were going to your OB/GYN,\" Tummala says.\n\n Next? Be dry. \"Cleanliness is appreciated, but please skip the lotion. You'll get better results if your skin is less oily.\"\n\n Gross but important: Be menstruation-free. \"Generally it's best to get a bikini treatment at least a few days before or after your period because the closer you get to your actual period, the more sensitive your body becomes. Also from a hygiene standpoint, it's better to opt out of a treatment during your actual period. In fact, that's our policy here at Shobha,\" Tummala adds.\n\n Be relad. A tall order, but Tummala notes that, \"the more relad your muscles are, the better your hair removal results will be!\"\n\n Be...long. To a beginner, it seems kind of counterintuitive, but the wax need something to actually grab onto! That means hair should be at least 1/4 inch long, or \"long enough to lay flat on your skin,\" says Tummala. \"Don't shave for at least 2-3 weeks prior to your appointment to ensure that it's the right length. Also, if you've 'let it go' down there and it seems out of control, don't worry! Your specialist will trim any longer hairs prior to the removal process.\"\n\n Finally? Be aware of your surroundings. \"Make sure the salon is clean and that your specialist is wearing gloves and not double-dipping the wax\u2014unless they use a fresh pot for each client.\"\n\n What's the deal with at-home waxing?\n\n If it's your first time, we don't endorse the DIY route. But if you've gone to a professional and just want to clean up before a beach day, at-home waxing products come in handy. The Sally Hansen Ouch-Relief Sugar Wax Kit for Face and Body washes off with water, which is vital if you decide mid-application that you just can't go through with a Brazilian after all. (Don't worry\u2014we've been there.) Plus, you can use this kit on any area of your bod, including your face. \"Make sure to moisturize and use an ingrown cream. And, of course, the wax should never be steaming hot,\" notes Romanenko. Check out Shobha's at-home wax tutorial video for more tips.\n\n Is there anything I should do post-waxing?\n\n \"Avoid covering the wad area with tight clothing afterward and moisturize using an unscented cream to avoid irritation,\" says Romanenko. \"Forty-eight hours of rest is best: Avoid the sun, saunas or steam rooms, and synthetic fabrics to allow the skin some downtime post treatment,\" notes Tummala. She recommends using a cold compress (a damp washcloth soaked in cold water), Shobha Rosewater Freshening Cloths, or Shobha Rosewater Calming Gel. \"Both of these products are made with rose oil, which will help reduce redness,\" Tummala explains.\n\n Eoliate! \"Like brushing your teeth to avoid cavities, it's best to eoliate daily in the shower to prevent ingrown hairs and bumps after the first 48 hours,\" says Tummala. \"Following hair removal, dead upper layers of skin can build up and trap hairs. When these trapped hairs can't grow out, they grow back in, resulting in ugly bumps and ingrowns. Eoliating with a scrub in the shower is a great way to prevent them.\" If you've already got 'em, don't worry! We love Bliss Ingrown Eliminating Pads.\n\n Got any questions about all things waxing? Leave a message for us in the comments and we'll get back to you!"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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