Brazilian laser: what is included, and what the appointment is like
“Brazilian” is not a standardised term. Clinics draw the line in different places, and the difference between a bikini and a Brazilian is several areas and a noticeably different price. Ask for the areas named before you book, not after you are on the bed.
And the honest word is reduction. A course substantially reduces how much hair grows and how coarse it is. It does not guarantee a permanently bare area, and most people need occasional maintenance afterwards.
The terminology, properly
| What it usually means | Areas generally covered |
|---|---|
| Bikini line | Only what would show outside underwear or a swimsuit — the sides and upper edge |
| Bikini | The line plus a little further in. Still leaves most of the pubic area |
| Extended or full bikini | Further in again, sometimes including the upper inner thigh. Terminology varies most here |
| Brazilian | The whole pubic area front to back — typically including the labia, the perineum and around the anus, with the option to leave a strip or triangle at the front |
Two clinics can use the same word for different area lists. The reliable question is: name every area included at this price, and tell me what is extra. The same problem applies across full-body packages, where the gaps are also in the expensive areas — see what full body actually includes.
What the appointment is actually like
This is the part people want to know and rarely find written down.
- You undress from the waist down and are given a drape. You are covered except for the section being worked on.
- One practitioner, door closed. Nobody else should be in the room. If a trainee is present, you should be asked first and you can say no.
- You will be asked to move. Knees bent, legs apart, and turning onto your side for the back portion. The practitioner will tell you what they need as they go.
- Eye protection is worn by you and by them.
- It is quick. A Brazilian is usually a short appointment — the area is small, even though it does not feel small.
- They have seen it before. Every practitioner doing this does it many times a week. Whatever you are self-conscious about is genuinely unremarkable to them.
You are allowed to ask for the practitioner’s gender, to stop at any point, and to have a treatment explained before it starts. None of that is unusual.
Can you go during your period?
Clinic policies differ, so ask. Many will treat you if you are wearing a tampon or a cup; some prefer to reschedule. It is worth asking when you book rather than discovering the policy on the day.
Worth knowing separately: the area can be more sensitive in the days before a period, so if you have a choice of timing, mid-cycle is often more comfortable. The same effect applies to laser generally — see laser and your period.
How much it hurts, honestly
More than a leg, less than people fear. This is thin, sensitive skin with dense coarse hair, which is the combination that stings most. Most people describe a hot elastic snap, sharpest around the labia and the bikini line, and brief.
It also gets easier. Later sessions are usually more comfortable than the first, because there is less hair to treat. If you find the first one hard, say so — options exist and are worth discussing in advance rather than enduring silently. See numbing cream before laser.
Preparing this area specifically
- Shave, do not wax. The root must stay in place. Waxing or plucking beforehand wastes the appointment — the reasoning is at shaving before laser.
- Shave the day before rather than the morning of. This skin is easily irritated, and freshly razor-burned skin makes for an uncomfortable session.
- Use a fresh blade and go gently. One careful pass beats three anxious ones.
- Arrive clean and without product. No creams, oils or deodorising products on the area.
- Cotton underwear and loose clothing for afterwards. Tight synthetic fabric on freshly treated skin is the most common cause of avoidable irritation.
Ingrown hairs, which is why many people come
Chronic ingrowns and razor bumps in this area are one of the most common reasons for booking, and reducing the hair genuinely helps, because there is progressively less hair to grow inward. Expect improvement over a course rather than immediately, and expect existing bumps to settle gradually rather than vanish — more at razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
Afterwards
Expect redness and small raised bumps around the follicles for anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Keep the area cool and dry, skip the gym, hot tubs, saunas, swimming pools and hot baths for the period your clinic specifies, and avoid friction. No exfoliating the area, and no sun on it.
Contact the clinic or a doctor if the area blisters, stays broken, becomes increasingly painful or hot over the following days, or shows signs of infection.
Before you book
Tell the clinic about medications, any skin condition in the area, recent sun or self-tanner, whether you are or might be pregnant, and any previous reaction to laser. Laser hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy. If you have unexplained changes in the area, or a lesion nobody has looked at, see a doctor before booking a cosmetic treatment.
Where to book
- Downtown Montreal — 2365 rue Saint-Patrick, Unit A5
- Laval — 1655 boulevard de l’Avenir
- Saint-Léonard — 5045 rue Jean-Talon Est
- West Island — 45 boulevard Brunswick, Dollard-des-Ormeaux
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a bikini and a Brazilian?
A bikini treats what would show outside underwear or a swimsuit, plus a little further in. A Brazilian covers the whole pubic area front to back, typically including the labia, perineum and around the anus, with the option to leave a strip at the front. Clinics define these differently, so ask for the areas named individually.
What actually happens at the appointment?
You undress from the waist down and are given a drape, covering everything except the section being worked on. One practitioner, door closed, eye protection for both of you. You will be asked to bend your knees and to turn onto your side for the back portion. It is usually a short appointment.
Can I have it done during my period?
Policies differ. Many clinics will treat you if you are wearing a tampon or cup; some prefer to reschedule. Ask when you book. The area can also be more sensitive in the days before a period, so mid-cycle is often more comfortable if you have the choice.
How much does it hurt?
More than a leg, less than most people fear. Thin sensitive skin with dense coarse hair is the combination that stings most, usually described as a brief hot elastic snap. Later sessions are generally easier because there is less hair to treat.
Should I shave beforehand?
Yes, and the day before rather than the morning of, because this skin irritates easily. Do not wax or pluck — the laser needs the root in place, so waxing beforehand wastes the appointment.
Does it help with ingrown hairs?
It genuinely does, because reducing the hair means progressively less hair to grow inward. Expect improvement across a course rather than immediately, and expect existing bumps to settle gradually.
General information about bikini and Brazilian laser hair removal. It is not medical advice, it is not a diagnosis, and no result or number of sessions is promised or implied. Laser produces hair reduction rather than guaranteed permanent removal, and results vary with hair colour and thickness, skin tone and hormones. Laser hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy. Medication, skin conditions in the treatment area, recent sun exposure or any previous reaction to laser should be discussed before treatment. Blistering, skin that stays broken, increasing pain or heat, or signs of infection should be assessed by a doctor, and any unexplained change or lesion in the area should be seen by a doctor before a cosmetic treatment.
