No woman wants to head to the beach without a proper shave. But when it comes to the bikini area, razors just never seem to do the job just right. Stubble left behind is unattractive, stray hairs tend to pop out at the most embarrassing of moments and its just a plain pain in the neck to deal with. The typical options for dealing with bikini hair just don't seem to work in that most delicate of areas. This is where a Brazilian wax can really help.

But what is a Brazilian wax?

This process is simply the removal of the hair in the bikini area. A true Brazilian wax actually takes almost all of the hair from the area, leaving only a small line of hair above the vulva. The reasons for this are many, but are certainly not limited to the fact it is a heck of a lot easier than shaving and it leaves little to chance.

The Brazilian wax was popularized in the 1980s when a group of sisters from Brazil, the Padilhas, introduced the method in New York. Before too long, they had formed the J. Sisters International Salon and the concept of the Brazilian became an international hit.

Similar to regular waxing, a Brazilian involves the disrobing of a client. The area to be waxed must be covered with powder to ensure the wax doesn't stick to the skin. Then specialized hot wax is applied to the area. Cotton strips are put on the waxed area and then removed, along with the hair, after a period of time has passed.

A full service Brazilian wax will also involve the tweezing of any stray hairs once the waxing is done. The hair that's intended to remain once the job is done is also typically trimmed for neatness.

For a true Brazilian wax, the wax desired is generally a true beeswax rather than anything synthetic. The belief is that beeswax is better at removing more coarse pubic hairs and more effective overall.

Although not permanent, a Brazilian wax is much more lasting than shaving. It will have to be repeated every so often, but there are ways to slow down the regrowth of hair. When a hair inhibitor is used in conjunction with the waxing, the results can last for months.

Whether it's done at home or in a salon, a Brazilian wax takes away the worries a woman might have while at the beach. With a complete removal of unwanted hair, this procedure has become an international sensation.

For those who do try it at home, make sure to get a good wax product. As the pros suggest, beeswax tends to be the best choice although synthetic products can do the trick, too. Just be certain to properly prepare the area and follow instructions to the letter. The area in question is sensitive, very sensitive.

When performed properly, a Brazilian wax can take the hassle out of dealing with the bikini area and razors.