You’ve finally made the switch from shaving to waxing for a longer-lasting result—but now, it’s time to book your next appointment. And it's the question every new waxer wants to know. To keep your body totally smooth and hair free, how often should you get a Brazilian wax?
There's definitely a sweet spot when it comes to the time you should leave between waxes. You don’t want to go back too soon, but waiting too long can pose its own problems. You might even be thinking about getting rid of any regrowth with a quick shave or at-home laser hair removal—but are touch-ups really a good idea?
In order to answer all your questions, we checked in with professional estheticians, to learn the do’s and don’ts of keeping up with a Brazilian wax.
How often should you get a Brazilian wax?
A Brazilian wax is one of the best options if you want to remove pubic hair without shaving—but to get the best results over time, you’ll need to be patient. Estheticians recommend waiting between 4 to 6 weeks before going back for another Brazilian wax session, after your first.
If you’re new to Brazilians, “waxing every four to five weeks maintains a slow, regulated regrowth,” according to Liz Lugo, licensed esthetician and creator of Nova Wax (opens in new tab). “If you are consistent after six months to a year, you can wax every five to six weeks.” (We’ll get into why later on.)
The ideal timing will differ slightly based on each person’s hair type and growth rate. Factors like hormones and genetics can impact how quickly your hair grows back, for example. After a few sessions, you and your esthetician will get to know what waxing schedule works best for you, but between four-six weeks is a good estimation.
Why should you wait at least a month between waxes?
This four-to-six-week timeline isn’t just a random recommendation to get you booked in once every month or so. In fact, it’s intended to follow the hair’s growth cycle and strike at exactly the right moment.
In general, the trick to getting a long-lasting Brazilian (if you're wondering how long hair removal methods last, a wax is about somewhere in the middle compared to shaving and laser hair removal) is to wax at just the right time to ensure all the strands are completely removed at the root. Here’s why waiting at least four weeks works so well:
1. You’ll wax at the right time in your hair’s growth cycle
As Lugo explains, “We have a total of three hair cycles. You want to target the right cycle in order to create slow, sparse, and fine-textured regrowth.” The three stages are:
- Anagen: Active growth phase
- Catagen: Transitional phase
- Telogen: Resting phase
During the anagen stage, new strands form in each hair follicle and start getting longer. They’ll naturally stop at a certain point, which is why body hair doesn’t grow nearly as long as the hair on your head (thank goodness!).
After that initial growth, during the short-lived catagen phase, the hair is cut off from its supply source and it stops growing. Then, it enters the telogen phase, where it sort of hangs around for a while and eventually falls out. The hairs that come out in your hairbrush in the morning are fresh out of the telogen phase. A new strand will start coming up behind that one, and begin its own anagen phase.
When you get a Brazilian wax, you ideally want to target hairs that are still in the anagen or active growth phase. Your body hasn’t produced another new hair yet, so it’ll have to start all over again, meaning you won’t start seeing pesky stubble for a while.
Of course, some strands will be in one of the later stages. For any hair that’s removed during the telogen phase, a new strand will grow out of the same follicle faster. But if you’re consistent with your waxing schedule, eventually the majority of hairs will end up on the same cycle. This is why, as Liz mentions, you’ll be able to wait a little longer between waxes after keeping up with regular Brazilian wax sessions for at least six months to a year. The same is true with either a bikini vs Brazilian wax too, so if you get less hair off, you're also advised to have the treatment at least every six weeks.
2. You’ll let the hair get long enough to avoid breakage
“After two and a half weeks, your hair will start showing, but it is not yet long enough to be waxed again," according to Andrea Franco, licensed esthetician at Honey Waxing Florida (opens in new tab). As Liz Lugo explains though, you’ll want to wait before getting another Brazilian wax until “the hair is about the length of a grain of rice” or at least one-quarter inch long.
This is because, “coming in too soon for a wax can cause hair breakage. When the hair is not long enough, the wax has a difficult time adhering to short hair and they will break, which means not only are those hairs not being removed from the root but you will see regrowth much much sooner—within one to three days," Lugo revealed.
This is similar to what happens when you shave: each strand of hair is cut off right at the surface of the skin and grows out in just a few days, looking thicker and blunter. When strands break off during a Brazilian wax, this can give you those less-than-ideal results.
So, it’s safest to wait until your waxing professional has enough hair to actually work with.
3. You’ll encourage finer regrowth
“The more times you wax, the thinner your hair will grow back,” Franco says. A lot of women love Brazilian waxing because it leaves them with finer hairs instead of wiry strands—an obvious benefit of this treatment, and a big reason why waxing is absolutely one of the best options if you're wondering how to remove pubic hair without shaving.
But why does this happen? Well, now that you understand how the hair growth cycle works, you know that routine waxing pulls out hair at the roots, instead of cutting strands in half like shaving does.
When you do see regrowth after a Brazilian wax, the pieces that poke out will be just the tips of brand new strands. They’re much softer and finer, and sometimes lighter in color than the middle or bottom of a strand of hair—which is why it's such a good hair removal option for dark skin as darker skin types tend to have thicker, coarser hair. This won’t happen immediately, but once you get into a waxing routine, you’ll definitely notice the change.
After your first Brazilian wax, you’ll probably notice pesky hairs you want to shave off —but don’t do it! Just be patient and keep up with a professional waxing routine (and also be aware of how to remove wax from skin and clothes—just in case). Soon enough, touch-ups won’t be necessary. In the meantime, Liz says, ”The best thing you can do while you wait for your next wax is to exfoliate regularly, never pick or extract ingrown hairs, and don't shave!”
My Imperfect Life thanks Liz Lugo of Nova Wax (opens in new tab) and Andrea Franco of Honey Waxing Florida (opens in new tab) for their time and expertise.
FAQs
How long should you wait between Brazilian wax appointments? ›
"For a bikini wax, those who frequent the beach benefit from waxing their bikini line every two weeks. But for a full bikini or Brazilian bikini service, you're recommended to come in every three to four weeks. This allows the proper amount of time for regrowth," Coba says.
Is 6 weeks too long between Brazilian waxes? ›You can usually get a Brazilian wax every 4-6 weeks. If you get waxed on a regular basis, you will probably be able to go even longer between waxes (maybe 5-7 weeks), since your hair will be thinner and more in sync with your waxing schedule.
How long does a professional Brazilian wax last? ›Brazilian waxes last about three to six weeks. The best thing you can do for your skin is to wax regularly. The more you do it, the longer the results last. If you wait longer or only get waxed a couple times a year, it will be much more painful.
Is 2 weeks long enough for Brazilian wax? ›Waxing technicians recommend waiting 6 weeks before your next wax. You'll want to grow your hair out to be 1/4-inch long, or around the size of a grain of rice. Just make sure it's not longer than ½ inch, or you might have to trim it beforehand.
Is it better to wait longer between waxes? ›You will gain the most benefits out of waxing when you schedule your appointments 2 to 5 weeks apart. For the legs, you will need to wax every 3 to 5 weeks. For the face, bikini line, and underarms, you will need to wax every 2 to 3 weeks.
Why is my Brazilian wax growing back so fast? ›Breakage happens when the wax doesn't pull out the entire hair at the root, and instead it breaks it off at surface level. This means that the hair will grow back faster.
Do Brazilian waxes grow back slowly? ›Every person experiences different hair growth rate, but a brazilian wax typically lasts 3-4 weeks. You should experience 1-1.5 weeks of no growth, and 2-3 weeks of very little growth after that. Hair grows back very thin and sparse after waxing, unlike after shaving.
What happens if you get a Brazilian wax too early? ›Your technician will probably ask you to reschedule your appointment so that your hair can grow out a little longer. If you happen to wax your hair when it isn't long enough, there's a chance that areas of hair will get left behind. Some hair might break, which can cause ingrown hairs or irritation.
Do Brazilian waxes ever get easier? ›We're often asked is if waxing will get easier over time. The good news is, it will! But you need to ensure you keep up with your waxing routine. Regularly book in for treatments every 4 – 6 weeks depending on your hair growth cycle.
Are long pubes good for a Brazilian wax? ›Should I trim my pubic hair before a Brazilian wax? And how long is too long? Up to 1/2 inch should be fine. If your hair is any longer you may feel some discomfort when the wax is applied.
Does a Brazilian wax hurt more with longer hair? ›
If your hair is longer, waxing will be more painful. If it's shorter, the wax won't have enough to grab onto, so it may not come off at all or could lead to pesky ingrown hairs. If you're not sure about the length, lean on the longer side and request that the studio trims it down for you.
Why does my Brazilian wax not last? ›Dry, rough skin can cause more hair to break during waxing. Before your treatment, and between treatments, be sure to take care of your skin. Exfoliate regularly using a gentle, non-polluting exfoliant or a loofah to keep your skin smooth, and use a hydrating lotion to prevent dry skin.
How do you keep a Brazilian wax looking good? ›Moisturize, moisturize…and moisturize some more. Sustain soft skin between waxing appointments by slapping on some much-important lotion. While you're at it, exfoliate once or twice a week (provided the area is free of redness). Shedding dead surface cells help keep skin, once again, silky-smooth.
What do people do in between waxes? ›Exfoliate and Moisturize
Routinely moisturizing your skin with an oil-free lotion or hydrating cream will help your skin feel smooth and look healthy between waxes. When choosing the right moisturizer, be sure it's one that's lightweight and soothes the skin without clogging pores.
Yes, you can shave the missed hair after waxing. But the hair growth of shaved hair will be faster than a waxed root. The best way to ensure smooth results that last is to seek a superior treatment.
What not to do after getting a Brazilian wax? ›- DON'T have sex immediately after a wax. ...
- DON'T take a bath immediately after a wax. ...
- DON'T do an intense workout right after a wax. ...
- DON'T exfoliate after a wax. ...
- DON'T take a super hot shower after a wax. ...
- DO: Stay away from artificial fragrances and colored soaps, lotions, and sprays. ...
- DO: Avoid wearing tight clothes.
And since your hair is at various phases in the growth cycle, your initial wax may not remove some hairs that are in the anagen stage. These hairs will make their presence known when they're good and ready, aka, maybe a day or so after your wax.
What position are you in for a Brazilian wax? ›What is Brazilian Wax Positioning? To begin the Brazilian wax, you will most often lay flat on your back with your knees bent and legs open and out, like a butterfly position. This will allow all of the front to be waxed and the bikini line creases.
Is it better to shave or wax your pubes? ›For bikini areas, waxing is more precise and can result in less razor bumps because of the delicate skin area.
Does pubic hair get thinner with waxing? ›Waxing pulls out hair from the root. When hair grows back in the same place, it's usually weaker, softer, and thinner than before. This means that, over time, you'll have less hair to groom — and the hair that remains will be more manageable.
Should I trim before a Brazilian wax? ›
If the hairs are too short in the bikini area, they will not adhere to the wax for removal. The same goes for hairs that are longer than 1/4 inch. You always want to make sure you trim any longer hairs before the waxing appointment.
Should you let your hair grow out before a Brazilian wax? ›You'll get the best wax if you let the hair grow to about ¼ inch so the wax can fully adhere.
Can I get a Brazilian wax if I shaved 5 days ago? ›Please stop shaving for at least 2-3 weeks before your appointment. This will give your hair ample time to grow out to the length that is appropriate for waxing. The day of your appointment just try to relax.
Is 3 weeks too soon to get waxed again? ›Waxing technicians recommend waiting 6 weeks before your next wax. You'll want to grow your hair out to be 1/4-inch long, or around the size of a grain of rice. Just make sure it's not longer than ½ inch, or you might have to trim it beforehand.
Does Brazilian wax hurt less the second time? ›Yes you can! The first time getting waxed in an area hurts the most and does get less painful each time after. Hard to believe when your hair has just been ripped out for the first time, but it's true.
Should you shave in between Brazilian waxes? ›Hair also grows back much thinner, thus making it easier to remove and less painful when waxed. Shaving just one time in between will negate all that is gained from waxing and can further irritate follicles which can cause ingrown hair. So, no, we don't advise shaving in between.
How can I make my Brazilian wax last longer? ›Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
Regular exfoliation is key to prolonging the length of your wax and preventing breakouts and ingrown hairs. It really does help, so make it part of your beauty routine.
I am seeing more and more that after a first wax, shaved hair will still appear days after the wax. This is typically because the client didn't wait long enough for ALL of the hair to grow out. You will, however, notice that after a few Brazilian Waxes your hair will start to grow in much slower and finer.
Why does my pubic hair grow back so fast after waxing? ›Because your hair doesn't go through the stages of the growth cycle all at the exact same time, the hair will grow back at different rates. After a wax, the hairs that were in the resting phase will begin growing back, and that's why you'll see hair regrowth in a matter of weeks but not as thick as before.
What is not normal after a Brazilian wax? ›For at least 24 hours, you'll want to avoid saunas, tanning beds, and even the gym. Wait for Sex: Give yourself about 2 days, or 24-48 hours, to recover from the wax before engaging in any sexual activity. Keep it Loose: Avoid tight and constricting clothing for a few days after your wax.
What do you do in between Brazilian waxes? ›
Exfoliate and Moisturize
Routinely moisturizing your skin with an oil-free lotion or hydrating cream will help your skin feel smooth and look healthy between waxes. When choosing the right moisturizer, be sure it's one that's lightweight and soothes the skin without clogging pores.
DO moisturize after waxing. Using gentle oil-based products, such as baby oil, can help to remove any wax residue while keeping the skin supple. If you prefer using a lotion-based after-wax care, try our 'Rub Me Down' lavender and chamomile moisturizer.
How do I prepare for a second Brazilian wax? ›- Please shower before your appointment. ...
- Hair must be a quarter of an inch (about 10-14 days of growth) to adhere correctly to the wax.
- Resist the urge to shave between sessions. ...
- Gently exfoliate the night before or take a warm bath to prep the skin before your wax. ...
- Chill.