What's The Real Difference Between Brazilian And Bikini Waxes?

For many people, getting ready for swimsuit season means one thing: getting rid of hair down there. Per a 2016 study, it's estimated that nearly three-fourths of adult women in the U.S. choose to remove their pubic hair. Of course, it's important to remember that body hair, and the choice to keep or remove it, is a personal preference. In fact, countless celebrities have spoken out about body hair before, with the likes of Madonna, Emily Ratajkowski, and even Miley Cyrus all proudly showing off body hair. But we totally get it if you'd prefer to remove it, too.

While shaving is the most common, and perhaps, cheapest methods for removing hair down there, waxing is a close second. Some research suggests as many as one in ten people opt for this as their preferred method for removing hair along the bikini region. There are some benefits to this -– Waxing lasts longer than a traditional shave, and doesn't come with razor bumps.

However, if you're a first timer looking at a salon menu, you've probably wondered whether a Brazilian wax or the bikini wax is right for you. But what's the difference between the two services? Well, both are designed to remove hair from the intimate area, and, as the name bikini suggests, will leave you free to don your swimsuit without worrying about any unwanted hair poking through. However, a Brazilian, which typically costs more, often takes away more hair than the regular ol' Bikini wax.

A typical bikini wax removes hair along the front of the public region, bikini line, and inner part of your upper thigh. Some salons may offer what's called a bikini line wax, which only removes the hair on the panty line, or what would be visible if you wore a swimsuit. This makes it a great option for people who are going on a vacation, but don't necessarily need all of their hair removed. A bikini full wax, meanwhile, involves removing as much hair as you desire from the front part of the pubic region only. It does not include removal of any hair near the buttocks. 

Although a bikini wax should be pretty standard wherever you go, there are actually two types of Brazilian wax. The first is a Hollywood wax, which involves literally getting rid of any and all hair from the pubic area, including the labia and anus. Then there's the French wax.  With this style, a person is usually left with just a strip of pubic hair on the mons pubis — which you may have heard referred to as a 'landing strip.' But, in both cases, nearly all of the hair in the region is completely removed. Depending on your esthetician, they may offer both versions of this service by these names, or you may request a Brazilian with a landing strip. 

It's important to keep in mind, however, that different salons in different parts of the world may use these names interchangeably. As Noemi Grupenmager, founder of Uni K Wax, told Byrdie, some people consider a Brazilian wax the method that leaves a single strip of hair. There's also the term French bikini wax, which may be used to describe a Brazilian wax that doesn't involve removing any hair from the rear end. With that in mind, it's important to clarify exactly what you want waxed, rather than relying on the names. Because of the different terminology, there may also be price discrepancies. Uni K Wax in New York City, for example, offers a front and back bikini line wax for $49, with a Full Brazilian Bikini priced at $69.

Unfortunately, if you're getting a wax on your intimate parts, you should probably prepare to feel a little uncomfortable (though there are ways you can minimize waxing pain). "This area has a higher concentration of sensory nerves, so it will generally be more painful to wax than the underarms," dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo explained to Byrdie. She also noted public hair tends to be thicker, so it may need to be pulled with a little more force than hair from other areas of the body, like the legs.

As for whether a Brazilian wax or a bikini wax will hurt more, a Brazilian is likely to hurt slightly more than a basic bikini wax because not only are you getting more hair removed, it's also coming from an even more intimate areas, like the labia. A standard bikini wax, meanwhile, is only removing hair from the upper thighs and outer part of the pubic region. Typically, they're over in about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, a Brazilian may take as long as 20 to 30 minutes to complete. However, Ali Tobia, a licensed esthetician, noted you'll likely get more used to the sensation the more waxing you do. 

There's also a slight difference in how often it's recommended a person get these intimate wax services. Nikki Babian, lead specialist at Spruce & Bond Scarsdale, suggested to Byrdie that a bikini wax should be done around every two weeks, while a Brazilian is more like every three or four weeks.