- Intimate waxes include bikini, Brazilian and Hollywood waxes, with the latter removing all the hair from front to back.
- You need to make sure the hair is one centimetre long and cleanse the area before a wax.
- V-facials use processes like cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising for smooth finish.
Going for your first wax – especially an intimate wax – is a scary yet oddly thrilling feeling.
Take it from someone who’s always wanted to experience the smoothness of one but has been too terrified to try. Now we can say that we’ve happily – if not slightly painfully – got the whole experience.
A lot of women prefer the complete removal of pubic hair, especially for those engaging in a little fun in the sheets, with hot wax being a popular choice.
These days, a wax on your intimate area isn’t complete without giving your labia and pubic area the full spa experience with a v-facial, or more colloquially known as a ‘vajacial’.
Your first thought might be a little bit of discomfort at being so vulnerable with a stranger ripping away at the hairs on your lady bits and giving it its own downstairs facial treatment. But most of the specialists at your preferred beauty salon are as friendly and professional as any other technician, making for a pleasant and calm 45 minutes.
When going for an intimate wax, you can choose a bikini wax - which only removes hair around your groin area where the underwear doesn’t cover - and a Brazilian wax, in which the technician waxes the outer labia and shapes up the hair on the pubic area. Landing strip, anyone?
Lastly, a Hollywood wax is the full shpiel – removing all the hair all the way from around the vulva to the anus.
READ MORE | How to make a DIY sugar wax for at-home hair removal
Liezle Myburgh, the brand manager for the world’s leading waxing brand Depileve, explains to TRUELOVE the difference between an intimate wax and a v-facial.
“An intimate wax refers to the removal of hair from the pubic area whereas a V-facial is a specialised treatment that treats concerns found in the pubic area like ingrown hair and hyperpigmentation.”
But before we get into a v-facial, we answer all the burning questions many have before going for their first wax.
Waxing FAQs
How’s the pain?
We can’t lie to you and say you won’t feel a thing, especially if you’ve never waxed the sensitive skin on your intimate area. While everyone’s pain tolerance is different, the skill of the specialist and the attention to detail to prepping your area will go a long way.
Portia Sibanda, beauty specialist at Sorbet beauty salon in Clearwater, Johannesburg, explains to us the step-by-step process she took as she prepped the area before waxing.
Starting with balancing lotion, she explains that “it will help balance the pH of your skin here and also it just eliminates the cream or whatever that was [sitting].”
Liezle’s gives some tips to prepare before waxing:
- Don’t shave prior to your wax. Hair must be at least 1cm long.
- If the hair has never been removed, carefully trim the hair to the desired length.
- Make sure to freshen up before going for the wax. A feminine wipe will do.
How long does a wax take?
What is quite the blessing with a skilled specialist is how fast they place the heated soft wax and let it cool and harden for a few seconds before quickly tearing it off.
We’ll be honest with you, it’s that initial ripping off of the hard wax that stings, especially on the labia.
Since waxing rips the hair right out of the follicles, little specks of bleeding can be expected so don’t be alarmed.
Liezle’s gives some tips to on the aftercare following your wax:
- Do not pick at the area. Can cause inflammation and sensitivity.
- Do not apply any perfumed lotions for at least 12 hours. Can irritate the follicle and burn due to the pores still being open.
- Do not do any form of exercise for at least 12 to 24 hours. Perspiration contains bacteria, which can lead to an infection.
The ins and outs of a v-facial or vajacial
It was only fitting for us to get in touch with former This Body Works for Me reality star and Gqeberha-based clinician Noluvuyo ‘Bubbly’ Sodela, whose clinic focuses on v-facials and non-invasive liposuction.
The v-facial is best used in conjunction with waxing if you’ve never waxed before.
Bubbly explains, “The rationale behind the vajacia [it] aims to reduce ingrown hairs, clogged pores, acne, dry skin or irritation in the vulvar area with processes like steaming, extractions, exfoliation, masking and moisturising. Some vajacialists (yep, we went there) even use treatments like red light therapy to get rid of bacteria and skin-brightening treatments to lessen discoloration and hyperpigmentation.”
Portia’s aftercare of a depigmentation serum and the comforting bubbles of the v-facial treatment takes the that sting away almost immediately.
Her v-facial treatment came with a fine exfoliator with glycolic acid that helps brighten the pubic area, a bright clarifying serum and a bubble mask to restore and recover the skin’s complexion.
READ MORE | Vajacial 101: Here's what you need to know about the facial for vaginas
V-facial aftercare
Bubbly advises that if your skin is too sensitive wait 48 hours before applying moisturising, avid sun exposure to the area for 24 hours, no hot baths or hot showers directly after the v-facial, avoid heavy exercising at least a day after the treatment and avoid heavy exfoliating products for three days after the v-facial.
It's important to remember that no one's skin is the same and all treatments carry a risk of allergic reactions, so be sure to inform your specialist of any skin conditions or allergies and test the product first on a patch of skin before diving into a full treatment.
