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We all want to have soft, smooth skin, but when we see countless photos of celebrities and models posing in their bikinis with hairless, irritation-free skin, we can’t help but wonder how they do it. Waxing has long been a common method to get a soft and clean bikini line, but one can’t help but wonder, will it hurt? More importantly, is it safe? Before you heat up your DIY waxing kit, be sure you understand the risks and rewards of bikini waxing.

Wax On: The Benefits

• Since waxing pulls hairs out by the roots, it takes longer for the hair to grow back, leaving your skin feeling smoother, longer.
• When hair does grow back, it may grow back, thinner, finer, or not at all, due to damage caused to the follicle.
• Waxing is less costly and time consuming than such permanent methods as electrolysis or laser hair removal.
• Many women who get frequent pubic hair waxes report that they feel more hygienic, which can enhance their comfort during sex.
• As Americans in general are maintaining less pubic hair, there have been fewer reported cases of pubic life, or “crabs.”

Wax Off: The Worries

• Too hot wax can cause mild skin burns.
• Skin tears can cause pain or, at worst, infection.
• As with exposure to any foreign substance, allergic reactions could result from exposure to waxing products.
• Susceptibility to ingrown hairs, which could become infected.
• Permanent scarring of the skin caused by chronic skin irritation.
• Mild to severe infections of the skin, vagina, or blood system. In the most severe cases, the infections can lead to hospitalizations.
• Increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Any infection that requires contact to spread will be more easily caught if there is any damage to the skin in the area. This could result in increased risks of contracting such STIs as herpes, human papilloma virus (HPV), and HIV.
• Deeper cellulitis due to skin damage caused by pulling the hair out by the root.

The bikini-bottom line? If you choose to wax your pubic hair, minimize your risks for complications by seeking out a licensed aesthetician at a reputable salon that is experienced in the technique. Make sure that the waxing instruments and wax being used appear clean and sanitized. It is also important to make sure you are comfortable with the technician performing your service, especially since you are going to be exposed in a very personal way during the procedure.

With appropriate safety and sanitation measures, waxing can be a safe, and convenient way to obtain smooth skin that lasts longer than shaving, but it can also increase your risk for serious infections and skin damage. Make sure to weigh the benefits and risks before you decide to wax on, or wax off.