Thinking of getting a bikini wax? While it can be daunting to have someone rip hair from such a sensitive area, that smooth feeling afterwards is next to none. If it’s your first time, fear not: The pain involved is often talked up, and while it isn’t exactly comfortable, you might be surprised at how little you’re bothered during your session. You also have many bikini wax styles to choose from, whether you want to take just a bit of hair off strategic areas or you’re looking for a thorough reset. To get the lowdown on all the different shapes, we turned to esthetician Gina Petak for expert advice. Ahead, get a crash course on the most common bikini wax styles, from what they look like to how to prepare.

Meet the Expert

• Gina Petak is a licensed esthetician, skincare and waxing expert, and the learning program manager at the European Wax Center headquarters in Dallas, Texas.

The Most Common Bikini Wax Styles

Every salon or spa will have a different name and price for very similar services, so do your research to ensure the facility you choose offers the style of bikini wax you want. While the most common bikini wax styles are standard, full, Brazilian, French, and Hollywood, names can be tricky, and some locations may have other types on offer as well. If you’re unsure which style you want, describe to your waxer exactly where you’d like hair to be removed—don’t leave it up to a name.

“It’s important to note that different names of bikini styles might vary where you get waxed,” says licensed esthetician and European Wax Center learning program manager Gina Petak. “Always confirm with your wax specialist on how much or how little hair you would like off. At European Wax Center, we offer a bikini line, full bikini, as well as a Brazilian, but you can leave as much or as little hair as you like. Some guests opt to remove all bikini hair, and some opt to leave a strip.”

Standard Bikini Wax

Also known as a bikini line wax, “this wax removes the sides of your bikini and a little off the top—anything that is shown outside of a regular bikini coverage,” Petak tells us. She recommends it for if you gravitate towards more modest bikini bottoms or prefer keeping more hair intact. If you’re nervous about the pain of a bikini wax, this is a good starter style: “This service is one of the least painful because it is only a few strips of wax and is one of the fastest services to complete, taking less than 15 minutes,” Petak explains.

Full Bikini Wax

This bikini wax style name can be used to describe a wider range of results than the others. “The full bikini wax is where you can remove as much or as little hair as you like in the front,” Petak tells us. “So, you can remove everything in front or leave a specific amount or strip.” It might involve making a more defined “triangle” area and/or trimming down leftover hair. Petak recommends a full bikini wax if you still want to keep some hair but want more definition than with a standard wax, saying it’s also a good option for those who don’t want to remove hair from behind.

Similarly to how the full bikini wax provides a bit more definition than its standard counterpart, you can expect the intensity of the experience to be a slight step up. “This service may be a little more sensitive than the [standard] bikini line because you are removing more hair,” Petak explains. “[It’s roughly a] 15-minute service.”

French Bikini Wax

“This wax takes all hair off in the front (except a small strip),” Petak explains. “It doesn’t take the hair off from the back like a Brazilian, however.” It’s similar to the full bikini wax, and is an easier description to specify if what you want to leave behind is a strip of hair as illustrated above. Petak recommends talking to your wax specialist about your desired result to be sure you’re getting what you want: “At European Wax Center, we offer a full bikini, and you can opt to leave a strip in the front so the names may change based on where you wax, but this type of style is widely offered, and many guests do prefer to keep a strip of hair in front.”

Given the French bikini wax style is a specific variation on the full wax, it’s also a 15-minute service, and the sensitivity will be similar. “Select this wax if you want the area pretty smooth with most hair removed but don’t want to take any hair away from behind,” Petak advises.

Brazilian Bikini Wax

You’ve probably heard of the Brazilian wax before since it’s one of the more popular options, as many people seek the satisfaction of a thorough service when going in for a bikini wax. “You can remove as much or as little hair in the front [as you want], and this service includes the butt strip,” Petak says. “The butt strip is virtually painless to wax. This is perfect for a completely nude look, or you can leave a strip [or triangle or square] in front.”

There’s a reason so many love the Brazilian wax: “This is the perfect option to have the confidence to wear any bikini style this summer, or if you just prefer to be completely or almost hairless in the front and back,” Petak explains. It’s great if you wear a thong or want the most thorough option. She says that just like the full and French bikini wax styles, the Brazilian takes around 15 minutes and has the same sensitivity level.

Hollywood Wax

“While a Brazilian may leave you with some hair left, a Hollywood removes all of it,” Petak says. European Wax Center and many other salons offer this service under the Brazilian category, so you’ll want to tell your wax specialist that you’re looking to have all the hair removed.

“If you don’t want to worry about any hair at all, this is a great option for you,” Petak tells us. “[It] takes 15 minutes and is the same [sensitivity level] as a Brazilian bikini wax.” While not ideal for beginners or those who are nervous about the discomfort, it’s definitely worth considering or working up to if a completely hair-free result is your end goal.

How to Prepare for a Bikini Wax

No matter which bikini wax style you choose, proper preparation is key to a smooth experience with minimal irritation. Below, Petak shares her top tips.

• Stop shaving: “Before you embark on any bikini style, you always want to ensure that your hair is long enough to be waxed,” Petak tells us. “Stop shaving for five to seven days [before your session]. Your hair should be about the size of a grain of rice or a sprinkle, which is approximately a quarter-inch.”
• Clean and exfoliate the area: To ensure comfort and effectiveness, you’ll want the skin of your bikini area to be fresh and clean. “Come with clean skin,” Petak says. “If you can use a non-comedogenic, mineral-free exfoliant 48 hours prior, that would [also] help prime your skin for the hair removal process.”
• Choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothing: “Wear comfortable clothing to your reservation that you can easily remove,” Petak advises. “Some guests prefer a dress or something loose-fitting that they can pull up easily for bikini services.”
• Bring proper period products if needed: Those who get a bikini wax while menstruating will need to consider the products they use (read: Pads and period underwear aren’t ideal, since you can’t keep them on during your service). “If you are on your cycle, you may be a little more sensitive, and you would need to wear a tampon,” Petak says. Another product that works internally, such as a menstrual cup, may be suitable as well.
• Be mindful of your caffeine intake: You probably don’t want to walk into your bikini wax appointment all shaky from multiple cups of cold brew. Petak says that caffeine can increase your heart rate and make you more anxious for your visit, so we recommend either avoiding it altogether or sticking to a minimum amount.

Almost anyone can get a bikini wax if they so desire, and that even goes for if you’re pregnant—just be mindful about how you proceed. “If you are pregnant, you can absolutely still receive services—just ensure you check with your doctor because every pregnancy is different,” Petak advises. Checking with a medical professional is also wise if you’re postpartum or have a condition that affects the area being waxed, as you won’t want to cause infection or excessive irritation.

If you’ve never gotten a wax and are nervous, know that it’s a common sentiment and the experience will get easier over time if you plan to get them regularly. “Your first waxing experience, you will be the most sensitive because your hair is stronger,” Petak explains. “Waxing removes the hair by the root, so it grows in softer and finer each time. By the third waxing visit, you won’t even feel it.”

Bikini Wax Aftercare

When choosing your bikini wax style, go based off your desired experience and result, as aftercare will be a consistent factor. “All aftercare is the same, no matter the style you choose,” Petak tells us. Here, she explains how to ensure your bikini area looks and feels its best after your wax:

• Avoid workouts on the day of your wax: “Afterwards, your skin may be a little more sensitive and your pores will be open,” Petak tells us. “Keep those pores clean by avoiding working out right after your reservation.”
• Minimize UV and chemical exposure: “Avoid tanning beds or any direct sun exposure right after because your skin will be freshly exfoliated and more susceptible to any environmental factors,” Petak says. “Avoid going in any pools or jacuzzis right after as well, because this can irritate the skin.”
• Wear comfortable clothing: You’ll probably want to keep the comfortable, loose-fitting clothing you wore to the appointment on throughout the day, or change into something similar. “Many guests may be slightly more sensitive right after their visit, and this will subside within a few hours,” Petak says. “If you are a little more sensitive, wear looser clothing to avoid any fabrics rubbing against the skin.”
• Use gentle products before and after: To minimize discomfort from your bikini wax, make sure you’re not using anything that could add irritation. “Choose products that support healthy waxing services,” Petak advises. “Use a product to exfoliate your skin that doesn’t leave an oil on your skin, like our EWC Face and Body Exfoliating Gel ($40) that removes dead skin cells, keeping your skin fresh in between waxing services. This product also ensures that dead skin cells are removed so hairs can grow freely out of the skin and not become trapped.”
• Prevent and treat ingrown hairs: “A trapped hair is also known as an ingrown hair,” Petak says. “This is where a hair has curled and grown back into the skin, [which] can be irritating and painful. To treat and prevent ingrown hairs, I recommend EWC’s Ingrown Hair Mist ($30), which is a great way to easily spray any area waxed. It is gynecologist-tested so it’s perfect for the bikini area, and it contains tea tree oil and glycolic acid to eat away at dead skin and keep pores clean and clear.”

The Final Takeaway

When it comes to finding a bikini wax shape that’s right for you, there are a number of popular pubic hair styles to choose from. And while you may be curious about current bikini line grooming trends, the shape you go for is ultimately a personal choice. Regardless of whether you opt for a standard bikini wax, the completely hairless Hollywood, or one of the styles in between, just remember to follow the proper precautions pre- and post-wax for best results.