The Hollywood wax is the most complete type of intimate waxing. It removes all of your pubic hair as well as your hair growing around your:
- labia
- upper thighs
- anus
Reportedly, the Hollywood wax gets its name from its popularity among Hollywood actors.
The Hollywood wax is just one of many options you have for grooming your pubic hair. Keep reading to find out how it differs from other popular waxes and what you can expect during the procedure.
The names of the different types of intimate waxes can be confusing, and many salons use the same terms in different ways. During a Hollywood wax, your technician will remove all your hair on your:
- pubic bone
- labia
- upper thighs
- anus
A Brazilian wax is similar but generally leaves a small strip or triangle of hair in the middle of your pubic region.
Some salons refer to a Hollywood wax as a Brazilian. And like the Hollywood wax, the Brazilian wax removes hair around your:
- thighs
- labia
- anus
Bikini waxes aren’t as complete as the Hollywood or Brazilian styles. During a regular bikini wax, your technician will remove all your hair outside your bikini line and sometimes a bit from the top of your pubic region.
The full bikini wax takes this one step further and cuts deeper into your bikini line. It can involve removing some or all of your pubic hair. Unlike the Brazilian and Hollywood, it doesn’t remove your hair around your anus.
If you aren’t sure what to call the type of wax you want, you can describe what you want to your waxing technician so you don’t walk out of the salon with something you’re unhappy with.
Whether you groom your pubic hair or not is mostly personal preference. But there are a few potential benefits to waxing.
Waxing your pubic hair may potentially exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells from the top of your skin.
Exfoliating your skin can help encourage the formation of new skin cells and potentially improve your absorption of moisturizers.
Compared to shaving or using an epilator, waxing your pubic hair tends to cause fewer bumps or irritation.
Waxing can damage the roots of your hair and may cause your hair to grow back thinner or weaker, which may be a benefit depending on how you look at it.
In theory, removing all your pubic hair may also help protect you from pubic lice.
Going to a salon that doesn’t follow hygienic practices can put you at risk of developing a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or bacterial infection.
A 2014 letter to the editor showed that the following conditions result from contaminated waxing tools during pubic hair waxing:
Minor complications are relatively common during pubic hair removal.
A 2014 study found that
- genital burns from hot wax
- severe skin irritation
- contact dermatitis.
Removing pubic hair may raise your risk of developing an STI
In a 2017 study, researchers surveyed 7,580 people about their:
- pubic hair grooming habits
- sexual habits
- STI history
The study above found a greater lifetime prevalence of STIs in people with a history of grooming their pubic hair compared to nongroomers.
Extreme groomers had an even higher lifetime prevalence of STIs than occasional groomers. Extreme groomers were defined as people who remove all their pubic hair more than 11 times per year.
Waxing is considered safe for most people. However, if you’re taking any of the following, your skin may be more sensitive than usual and waxing may be more uncomfortable:
- antibiotics
- hormone replacement therapy
- hormonal birth control
- chemotherapy or radiation
- oral acne medications
- topical retinoids
You may want to reconsider getting a wax when you’re menstruating due to increased sensitivity around your pubic region.
If you do get a wax while menstruating, wear a menstrual cup or tampon to your appointment to avoid free-flowing blood.
It’s generally safe for pregnant people to get waxed, but you may want to check with your doctor if you’re in your third trimester. It’s also important to go to a reputable salon to avoid developing an infection.
If you have a genital piercing(s), your wax technician may ask you to remove it. If you can remove it, they will try to work around the area.
You don’t need to do much to prepare for your waxing. You’ll have to let your hair grow out to be at least a quarter of an inch for the wax to properly stick to it. If it’s longer than half an inch, you may want to trim it down.
Some other things you can do that may make your appointment go more smoothly include:
- Wear cotton underwear and loose bottoms to your appointment.
- Take a warm bath the night before your appointment.
- Gently exfoliate your pubic region a couple of days before your waxing.
- Take an ibuprofen or another mild pain reliever about 30 minutes beforehand.
Your waxing appointment will likely take roughly 30 to 40 minutes. Here’s what you can expect.
- You’ll undress from the waist down and get onto the table.
- Your wax technician will ask you what type of waxing you want before getting started.
- The technician will then cleanse your pubic region and coat it with an oil or powder as a prewax treatment.
- They will then apply a section of wax. When it cools, they’ll use their hand to pull your skin taut and quickly remove the strip of wax. They’ll repeat until they remove all your hair.
- Once your technician finishes waxing, they max go over stray hair with tweezers
- They’ll likely go over your skin with a serum or cream to soothe your skin and reduce your chances of developing ingrown hairs.
If you’ve never had a Hollywood or Brazilian waxing, you’re likely wondering if it hurts. The short answer is yes, it will likely be at least somewhat painful.
The amount of pain you experience varies based on your individual tolerance. Many people report waxing being the most painful during their first waxing and less painful as they became used to it.
Some people take a pain reliever like ibuprofen before their waxing to take the edge off the pain.
Visiting a salon with properly trained technicians and sticking with a hard wax instead of a soft wax may also help reduce pain.
After your waxing, it’s a good idea to avoid activities that might irritate your skin or transfer bacteria to the waxed area.
- Avoid having a bath for about the first 24 hours.
- Avoid sexual activity for about the first 24 hours.
- Try using a mild exfoliator about 2 days after your waxing.
- Avoid tanning beds, saunas, exercise, or swimming pools for the rest of the day.
- Try not to touch the waxed region until redness or discoloration subsides.
Finding a reputable salon for your waxing is important. Going to a salon that doesn’t follow good hygiene practices puts you at risk of developing an infection and possibly even a sexually transmitted infection.
If the technicians at the salon aren’t properly trained, you’re also at a higher risk of having a painful experience.
Before visiting a salon, it’s a good idea to read the reviews to see if anybody has had a bad experience. You may also find it helpful to ask your friends if they can recommend a business.
After waxing your pubic hair, it will take roughly 3 to 4 weeks for your hair to start to grow back. The exact time depends on how quickly your hair grows.
People with dark hair and light skin may notice hair regrowth earlier than people with a hair color closer to their skin tone.
Many waxing technicians recommend waiting at least 6 weeks between waxes.
A Hollywood wax is a type of intimate waxing that removes all your pubic hair as well as your hair around your:
- anus
- labia
- upper thighs
Some find that the first time they get waxed is the most painful. If you’re worried about the pain you can try taking an ibuprofen or other mild pain reliever about 30 minutes before your waxing appointment.