When you hear a hair removal process referred to as a “Brazilian,” it’s usually said a little bit cheeky and met with raised eyebrows. But it is seen as a bit of a taboo subject.
This is probably because it’s a pretty private experience. But if you’ve always felt too embarrassed to ask, it’s hard to not even know what people are talking about.
If you’ve ever wondered what all the hype is about and what it entails, now is your time to learn.
What is a Brazilian Hair Removal?
So what the heck is this “Brazilian hair removal”? We’re going to break it down with as little awkwardness as possible.
A Brazilian hair removal treatment addresses hair in your pubic area. It involves the removal of all of the hair in that region (including the backside) except for one small strip of hair in the front.
That wasn’t so bad, was it?
Let’s look at how you can get this done.
Waxing
The first thing people think of when they think “Brazilian hair removal” is getting a wax.
A Brazilian wax is a process that should only be done by a professional. Your waxing specialist will use a hot, melted wax mixture and place it on the hair that needs to be removed.
They will then use a strip of cloth to attach to the hot wax. Then, you guessed it, they will rip it off.
A big bonus of this process is that it pulls hair out by the root, meaning you stay hairless longer.
Pain Level
Now let’s talk about the tough part: how painful is waxing?
Probably about as painful as you would imagine. It’s hot wax. And it then gets literally ripped off.
And in a sensitive area of the body, that only multiplies the ouch factor.
Shaving
Shaving is an easy way to remove unwanted pubic hair, but it’s hard to do it correctly.
There are different schools of thought on how to do this correctly, but most people believe in cleaning and exfoliating first.
Always use shaving cream and a fresh, sharp razor, and be sure to be careful.
Pain Level
If done correctly, shaving itself is not painful. However, shaving just cuts the hair off, meaning the root is still lingering in there. This can lead to a lot of ingrown hairs and irritation as the hair returns.
Also, remember that you’re using a blade near some sensitive stuff. So do everything in your power to avoid any accidental slicing.
Laser or IPL
The newest form of Brazilian hair removal is a laser or IPL (intense pulsed light) treatment. Laser treatments have a small laser that shoots deep into the root of your hair, essentially obliterating it.
IPL works by sending bright flashes of light over a larger area of skin. These flashes attack the pigment of the hairs, causing damage to the follicles and discouraging regrowth.
Pain Level
As expected, this form of hair removal isn’t exactly the comfiest. Laser treatments provide targeted, sharp jolts of pain.
IPL covers a larger surface area and can be compared more closely to someone popping a rubber band on your skin.
Both of these are subjected to your personal pain tolerance level, but they are usually considered less painful than waxing.
Is a Brazilian Right for Me?
Now that you know what a Brazilian hair removal treatment is, think about if it’s what you want to do.
If it is, take into consideration your pain tolerance and how much free time you can spend on it. Ultimately, you know your body best.