Summer is approaching, which means it is time to start preparing for the days at the beach or pool. Something you may be interested in doing as you prepare for summer is bikini waxing. If you are new to waxing, you may be wondering how it is done. While many people pay professionals to wax them, it is possible to do it yourself at home. Today, let's take a look at how to use bikini wax at home, as well as tips for doing it safely. Let's get started!

Types Of Wax For Hair Removal

There are many types of wax for hair removal, but the two main types of wax are hard wax and soft wax. As the name suggests, hard wax hardens onto your skin and is much thicker than soft wax. Let's take a closer look at the difference between these two popular types of wax. 

Soft Wax

Soft wax is the most common type of wax and is often used on larger body parts, such as legs, arms, and the back. This type of wax usually requires a muslin or pellon strip, which is why this type of waxing is often called strip waxing. It doesn't require any special preparation and it is cheaper than hard wax. In addition to removing hair, soft wax will also exfoliate the skin at the same time. Keep in mind that because it removes dead skin, you cannot reapply soft wax to the same area that you worked on. Therefore, this type of wax is not recommended for places that require waxing several times, such as the face or bikini area. If you plan on doing bikini waxing, you may want hard wax instead. 

Hard Wax

Unlike soft wax, hard wax doesn't require any type of strip. Instead, you pull the wax itself to remove it from your skin. Hard wax is recommended for small areas since it easily breaks. For example, if you plan on waxing your face, it is recommended to use hard wax. A nice thing about hard wax is that you can apply it to the same area as many times as you need to, allowing you to remove as much hair as possible. If you mess up the first time, you can always go back and repeat the process again. Hard wax costs more than soft wax, but it is often said to be more gentle on the skin. All in all, hard wax is a good choice if you need to wax smaller areas such as the face or bikini area. 

Steps To Using Bikini Wax At Home

There are many steps to properly using bikini wax at home. Waxing at home requires more skill on your part, but it provides the same results as waxing at a salon, and it is obviously cheaper. Below are the steps to using bikini wax at home. Be sure to check out the safety tips later in this article before you get started on waxing at home. 

1. Buy the Bikini Wax

Begin by purchasing the bikini wax that you'd like to use. There are many bikini waxing kits available and many stores that you can buy them from. One of the best waxing kit options to use is the GiGi Brazilian Bikini Home Waxing Kit, which is available on Amazon. The GiGi Brazilian Bikini Home Waxing Kit comes with everything you need to get started on waxing at home. It comes with easy-to-understand instructions and even comes with a DVD on how to use it. Other bikini wax options to consider purchasing include the Moom Organic Hair Removal Kit, Extra Strength Hair Removal Waxing Kit, and Nad's Brazilan & Bikini Wax Kit. 

2. Heat the Wax

Once you have chosen the bikini wax that you'd like to use, you can open the kit and heat the wax. There are two ways to heat the wax. The first option is to use a microwave to heat the wax. This option is recommended for a wax formula that is designed to be heated in the microwave. The other option for heating wax is to use a wax warmer. Many DIY wax kits come with a wax warmer. Wax warmers are nice because they are designed specifically for waxing. It is easier to operate, as you simply put the wax formula into the warmer and turn the warmer on. 

3. Trim the Hair

The next step to using bikini wax at home is to trim the hair. If your hair is too long, the wax will not be able to pull the hair roots out as effectively. Try to trim your hair so that it is 1/4 inch long. If it is any longer, the wax won't work as well. 

4. Stir and Test the Wax

Stir the wax every once in a while and test it to see if it is the right temperature. You can use an applicator stick to stir and test the wax. Test the wax by putting a drop of it on your wrist. If it is too hot, wait a minute or so for the wax to cool. If it's too cold, let the wax heat up a little more. 

5. Apply the Wax

Once the wax has reached a safe temperature, begin applying it onto your skin. Make sure you apply it in the same direction of your hair growth. Let the wax harden on your skin for about 30 seconds. If you tap the wax with your fingernail, it should make a tapping noise. Don't remove the wax until it has become hard. Make sure you leave a little wax at the end that curls upward so that you can easily grip the wax. It's up to you to decide how much wax you want to apply on your skin at once. Some people like applying only a little bit at a time, while others like to get it done all at once. It is easier to only apply a small amount, but it will also take longer. 

6. Begin Pulling the Wax Off

This next step is the most painful, but is the last step to using bikini wax. Use your one hand to hold your skin down and the other for pulling the wax. Don't pull the wax straight up, but instead keep it close to the skin. It is recommended to pull the wax off quickly, but if you feel more comfortable removing the wax slowly, you can do that. 

7. Repeat the Process Until You're Finished

Repeat this same process until you have completed removing all the hair. The more wax you apply on your skin each time, the faster the process will go. Decide how much wax you can handle on your skin at once. 

8. Remove Any Extra Wax On Your Skin

Once you are finished waxing, you may notice that there is still wax on your skin. This is completely normal. In order for you to remove this wax, you'll need to use a wax removal lotion and wipes. Don't use water to remove the wax, as water will not work as well as wax removal lotion. 

Safety Tips To Follow 

Using bikini wax at home can be a painful experience, and can be dangerous if you don't do it properly. Below, we'll take a look at safety tips to follow in order for your waxing experience to be successful and not as painful!

1. Find Out If You Have Sensitive Skin Beforehand

Before you begin waxing at home, you should find out if you have sensitive skin. Otherwise, you may end up with large, red bumps or a rash on your skin. Go to your doctor or dermatologist beforehand and get advice from them. You may need to do an allergy patch test to find out if your skin can handle waxing. If you do have sensitive skin, it is recommended to avoid waxing. However, you can still wax as long as you are careful and take care of your skin after you have waxed your body. Care tips include to moisturize your skin and keep the skin clean. 

2. Wait For the Wax To Cool

Always test the wax on your wrist before applying it onto your body. If the wax is too hot for you to stand, allow it to cool. Never apply the wax when it is too hot, as this will burn your skin. 

3. Make Sure Your Hair Is the Right Length

In order for the wax to work, your hair must be a certain length. All waxes are different, so read the instructions before applying it onto your skin. For most bikini waxes, it is recommended for your hair to be 1/4 inch long. If it is any longer or shorter, the wax may not work as well. Do not shave your hair right before waxing because the wax won't work as well. 

4. Take Care Of Your Skin After Waxing

Waxing isn't only painful as you are removing the wax from your skin, but it can also be painful afterward. After all, you just pulled out your hair by the roots, so it is normal for your body to be sore. Always make sure to keep the area that you waxed clean so that it doesn't get infected. You may want to apply creams onto it to reduce the pain. Don't use scrubs for the first 48 hours after waxing and don't expose the area to direct sun for at least 24 hours. Once your skin isn't as sore, be sure to exfoliate your skin. This will prevent ingrown hairs and bumps from appearing. Another important step to caring for your skin post-waxing is to keep it hydrated. Use moisturizers to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky. 

Final Thoughts

Using bikini wax at home is much cheaper than going to a salon to get it done. However, it is important that you follow all safety instructions to prevent injuries. In this article, I went over the steps to using bikini wax at home, as well as safety tips. At-home waxing can be easy once you know how to do it properly. Once you have successfully learned how to wax, you'll want to wait about three to four weeks before waxing again. Make sure you care for your skin properly after waxing so that you don't deal with rashes and infections. I hope today's article has answered all your questions about bikini waxing at home. Stay safe!

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