The Waxing Glossary: Every Term You've Wondered About, Explained Simply

The waxing world has its own vocabulary. Some of it is obvious, some of it is confusing, and some of it you've probably nodded along with at appointments without fully knowing what it meant. This glossary covers the terms that come up most often, explained the way they should have been the first time.

Brazilian

A Brazilian wax removes hair from the full pubic area, front to back. That includes the front pubic region, the labia or shaft area depending on the client's anatomy, and the strip between the cheeks. The style of the front section can be customized: fully bare, a landing strip, a triangle, or a small square. Everything else is a style choice; the back removal is always included.

A Brazilian is different from a bikini wax, which only addresses the sides and sometimes the top. If you want anything removed from the center or the back, that's a Brazilian.

Bikini Wax

Removes hair from the sides of the bikini line, the area that would show outside a standard bikini bottom. Sometimes includes the top (the horizontal line above the pubic area). Does not address the center or back. The extended bikini version cleans up more of the inner area without going all the way to a Brazilian.

Hollywood Wax

Used in some countries to describe what WAX LAB calls a fully bare Brazilian: everything removed, front and back, with no hair remaining. The terms are interchangeable, though usage varies by region.

Manzilian

The Brazilian equivalent for male clients. Removes hair from the pelvis, shaft, scrotum, and between the cheeks. Can be fully bare or styled to preference. The extended Manzilian covers additional glute area. Our services page has pricing for both the standard and extended versions.

T-Zilian

A Brazilian-style service specifically designed for trans and nonbinary clients. Available in M2F and F2M versions to account for anatomical variation and the skin or hair changes that come with hormone therapy. Technique and approach are adapted accordingly. Our dedicated post on the T-Zilian covers everything in detail.

Hard Wax

Wax that is applied warm, adheres to the hair rather than the skin surface, and is removed without strips once it has hardened. Hard wax causes less irritation on sensitive or thin skin than soft strip wax and is the preferred choice for intimate areas, the face, and underarms. At WAX LAB, our house-made chocolate wax is a hard wax formula designed for sensitive skin.

Soft Wax / Strip Wax

Wax that is applied in a thin layer and removed using a cloth or paper strip. Soft wax adheres to both hair and skin, which makes it efficient for large areas like legs and arms but more irritating for sensitive skin. Not typically used for intimate or facial waxing in professional settings.

Sugaring

A hair removal paste made from sugar, lemon juice, and water. Applied and removed using a technique similar to waxing. Often marketed as a gentler alternative to waxing. Works well for some clients and hair types. The comparison between sugaring and waxing depends heavily on the specific wax formulation being used on the waxing side.

Follicle

The small pocket or tube in the skin from which a hair grows. Every hair on your body grows from a follicle. Waxing removes the hair from the root, disrupting the follicle and causing it to regenerate the hair slightly more slowly and finely over time with repeated sessions.

Anagen Phase

The active growth phase of the hair cycle, during which the hair is actively growing from the follicle. Hair removed during the anagen phase is most effectively captured because the follicle is engaged. This is part of why the first few waxing sessions sometimes miss some hairs: not all follicles are in the anagen phase simultaneously.

Telogen Phase

The resting phase of the hair cycle, during which hair growth slows and the hair sits in the follicle without actively growing. Hair in the telogen phase may not be removed as effectively because it's not as securely attached to the active follicle. Over time, consistent waxing helps synchronize hair growth cycles across an area.

Folliculitis

An infection or inflammation of the hair follicles that appears as small red or white-tipped bumps, usually in a scattered pattern across a waxed area. Often caused by bacteria entering open follicles after waxing, typically from sweat, friction, or tight clothing too soon after the appointment. Usually mild and self-resolving with proper care. Distinct from ingrown hairs, which are individual hairs growing under the skin surface.

Ingrown Hair

A hair that has grown back into the skin rather than emerging normally from the follicle. Appears as a raised, sometimes red, sometimes pus-filled bump with a hair visible beneath the skin surface. Caused by dead skin buildup blocking the follicle opening, tight clothing, dry skin, or hair texture. Our post on why ingrown hairs keep happening covers causes and prevention in detail.

Skin Lifting

What happens when wax removes a layer of skin surface along with the hair, rather than releasing cleanly. Appears as a raw, shiny, or abraded spot. Usually caused by waxing over skin that has been sensitized by retinol or other actives, or over recently sun-damaged skin. Preventable by pausing retinol and active skincare before appointments. Our post on retinol and waxing covers what to stop and when.

Double-Dipping

The practice of reusing a wax applicator by dipping it back into the wax pot after it has touched skin. Introduces bacteria from one client into the wax supply, creating a contamination risk. Never acceptable in a professional salon. Any reputable waxing studio uses fresh applicators for every application.

Koebner Response

A phenomenon in which new psoriasis plaques develop at sites of skin trauma or injury, including waxing. Relevant for clients with psoriasis who are considering waxing over or near affected areas.

Hypoallergenic Wax

Wax formulated to minimize allergenic ingredients, typically avoiding resins, fragrances, and other common irritants. Designed for sensitive skin or clients with known reactions to standard wax formulations.

Wax Series

A package deal available at WAX LAB: buy five services and get two free. Applies to the same service type and is a cost-effective option for clients on a consistent waxing schedule. Details on our services page.

Booty Facial / Junk Facial / Jewel Facial

Specialty skincare treatments at WAX LAB that address specific body areas with a cleanse, steam, extractions, mask, and moisturizer sequence. The Booty Facial targets the posterior, the Junk Facial targets the male pelvic area, and the Jewel Facial targets the female pelvic area. All three address congested follicles, ingrown hairs, and texture concerns in areas that benefit from dedicated skincare attention. Learn more at our services page.

Eyebrow Lamination

A chemical treatment that temporarily restructures brow hairs to redirect their growth pattern, typically lifting them upward for a fuller, more defined appearance. Holds for four to six weeks. Different from eyebrow waxing, which removes hair. Many clients do both in the same appointment.

Pre-Wax Oil

A light oil applied before waxing in some techniques to create a protective barrier between the skin and the wax. More common with soft wax applications. Hard wax applied at the right temperature typically doesn't require it.

Post-Wax Oil

An oil-based product used after waxing to dissolve any wax residue remaining on the skin and to soothe the area. Standard part of the aftercare at WAX LAB. Followed by a light moisturizer.

Book your appointment at WAX LAB and come in knowing exactly what everything means.