A Hollywood wax is known to be one of the most painful waxing experiences. It removes all of the pubic hair from the front and back, leaving you completely bare down there. The level of pain really depends on your personal pain tolerance, but it’s safe to say it’s not going to be comfortable. Here’s a look at what to expect if you’re considering a Hollywood wax.
What is a Hollywood Wax?
A Hollywood or Brazilian wax removes all of the hair from the pubic area, front and back. The aesthetician applies hot wax to the area and then places a cloth or paper strip on top to adhere to the wax. When ready, they quickly pull the strip off to pull the hair out from the follicle. This process is repeated until all hair is removed.
A Hollywood wax takes off all hair from the front, back, and everything in between. Sometimes a “landing strip” of hair may be left on top. It leaves the entire genital area completely bare of hair.
Pain Level
On a pain scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most painful, a Hollywood wax ranks between 7 and 9 for most people. It’s considered one of the most painful waxing experiences.
Several factors affect the level of pain and discomfort:
- Your individual pain tolerance – Some handle waxing better than others
- Your sensitivity level – Some have more sensitive skin than others
- Skill of the aesthetician – More experienced gives a quicker, smoother wax
- Thickness and density of hair – Coarse, thick hair is more painful to remove
- Mood that day – Stress and anxiety can heighten discomfort
The pubic area is very sensitive, with thin skin. Pulling hair from the follicles in this area is going to cause some significant discomfort no matter what.
What Makes a Hollywood Wax So Painful
Here are some of the reasons a Hollywood bikini wax is often very painful for people:
- Sensitive area – Pubic skin is extra sensitive, adding to the pain.
- Thin skin – Skin here is thinner and delicate compared to legs.
- Lots of nerves – Many nerves are located around the genitals.
- Central location – It’s close to the torso, an area sensitive to pain.
- Hair density – Pubic hair is usually coarse and dense.
- Frequent use – It’s an area that moves and rubs frequently.
- Perspiration – Sweating can make wax adhere more to skin.
- Previous swelling – Swelling from previous waxes can heighten sensitivity.
With hair being pulled from such a delicate and nerve-filled area, it’s no wonder the pain level is high for a Hollywood wax.
Pain Comparison to Other Waxing
To give an idea of how the pain level compares, here’s a look at how Hollywood waxing pain ranks against waxing other body parts:
| Waxing Area | Pain Level |
|---|---|
| Eyebrows | 2-3 |
| Upper Lip | 3-4 |
| Underarms | 5-6 |
| Bikini Line | 6-7 |
| Brazilian | 8-9 |
| Hollywood | 9-10 |
As you can see, the Hollywood wax is at the top of the pain scale for waxing treatments.
Pain Management Tips
While a Hollywood wax will be painful, there are things you can do to try and minimize discomfort:
- Take over-the-counter pain medication beforehand
- Numb the area with an anesthetic cream
- Go to an experienced aesthetician
- Don’t go when you are about to start your period
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol beforehand
- Try deep breathing techniques during the wax
- Distract yourself by listening to music or watching a video
- Hold and squeeze a stress ball
The pain only lasts a few minutes. While very uncomfortable, try to focus on it being temporary and the results will be smooth skin afterwards.
Aftercare
Proper aftercare is important following a Hollywood wax to avoid complications like ingrown hairs, bumps, and infection:
- Use a cool compress to reduce swelling
- Take a mild anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen
- Apply aloe vera gel to soothe skin
- Wear loose, breathable clothing
- Avoid exercise, swimming, hot tubs for 24 hours
- No sex, douching, scrubbing for 48 hours
- Use hydrocortisone cream for extreme redness
- Exfoliate gently 3-5 days later to prevent ingrowns
It’s normal for the skin to be sensitive for a day or two. Discomfort typically resolves within 24 hours. Red bumps can occur but usually disappear after a few days.
Results
When done properly, a Hollywood wax can provide 4-6 weeks of smooth, hair-free skin. Results may last longer depending on your individual hair regrowth. Regular waxing often leads to sparser and finer hair regrowth over time.
Many people feel sexier and more confident with no pubic hair. Clothes and swimwear also fit nicer and smoother. But it’s a personal preference for how much body hair you choose to remove.
Conclusion
A Hollywood wax is rated high on the pain scale compared to other waxing treatments. The pubic area is extremely sensitive, with many nerves located close to the skin’s surface. However, the pain is temporary, lasting just a few minutes for each strip. There are things you can do to try to minimize discomfort, like taking medication beforehand and using numbing cream.
Proper aftercare is crucial to avoid problems like irritation and ingrown hairs. When done correctly by an experienced aesthetician, a Hollywood wax can provide long-lasting, smooth results. While very painful for most, the results are often worth it for many people.