For centuries, women all over the world have been waxing their genital regions for religious, hygienic, and cosmetic purposes. Nowadays, waxing is much more prevalent in the Western culture than it has been in the past. In fact, women of all ages now flock to beauty salons and some pay a great deal of money to have their legs spread and their pubic hair removed with a quick (and sometimes painful) rip of wax.

It should come as no surprise that waxing is the most effective and long-lasting way to remove body hair, and it follows that waxing "down there" is the paramount technique to use in order to get rid of all unwanted body hair... well... "down there". It gets tricky, however, when you begin to wonder why the hair is even there to begin with. Well obviously if you're going through such a process to remove undesired body hair in a specific location, then chances are, it's probably growing there for a reason. Eyebrows grow over our eyes with the purpose of diverting sweat, rain, or water from getting in our eyes, yet we shape them religiously. Hair grows on our heads and legs in order to protect those surfaces, and likewise, hair grows over our pubic regions in order to keep them warm and protect them from dirt or other particles.

It's frustrating but we get it; our hair has a purpose... but let's face it... things are just better when it's gone. So you're tired of shaving and feel like maybe it's time to see what waxing is all about. You get brave, you ask a few close friends for a reliable place to call, and in a moment of sheer brave womanhood, you make an appointment for your first Brazilian waxing. Now what's next? You just show up and spread 'em? If only it were that simple.

The following are a few tips that will help you to prepare for your waxing experience:

*Hair Length - your hair must be at least 1/8th of an inch long in order for the wax to cling to it for efficient removal.

*Cleanliness - for many reasons, you should make sure the area you are getting waxed is clean and dry before your appointment.

*Sensitivity - if you've been waxed before and you know that you are prone to sensitivity during or after a waxing, a pre-depilatory lotion helps to keep the area clean by killing off any bacteria.

Once you follow the list above, then you may proceed with showing up at your appointment and, well, spreading 'em. Sure it's awkward, but you've checked the cosmetologist's license and you keep telling yourself that he/she has seen hundreds of hoo-haa's before seeing yours; they don't care. The wax is pre-set to the perfect temperature so you don't have to worry about burning yourself when a professional is doing it. Now your only task is to try your hardest not to scream like a baby when they're ripping your most sensitive hair follicles out of the surface of your skin.

An hour later, you emerge from the beauty salon with a giant grin across your face and a happy feeling in your pants. You've been warned of the post-waxing pains that might show up later that day, and as you drive home, your skin begins to feel a little itchy. Maybe you notice redness or tenderness, but hey, anything beats the bush that was there this morning, right? Well, to soothe the minor after-effects of waxing, you might want to apply a special oil or lotion for dry skin. Some lotions are even made specifically for relieving the dryness and redness of those sensitive areas post-waxing. A good piece of advice is to be sure to keep the waxed skin out of the sun for the next day or two while the skin's surface quickly heals.

Regardless, if you follow these before and after tips on how to get the best results from your waxing experience, then you should be effortlessly enjoying your new Brazilian or bikini waxing in no time! Wax on, my friend, wax on.