Brazilian waxing

Brazilian waxing

Origin

Some claim the origin of the concept Brazilian hairless privates date back to a letter written by Pêro Vaz de Caminha documenting Pedro Álvares Cabral's voyage to Brazil in 1500 AD, which says: "...suas vergonhas tão altas e tão çarradinhas e tão limpas das cabeleiras que de as nós muito bem olharmos não tínhamos nenhuma vergonha" (English translation: "their private parts were so exposed, so healthy and so hairless, that looking upon them we felt no shame").^[14]
The style as it is known today was all but invented in the late 1980s at J. Sisters salon in Manhattan, New York. While the salon is operated by several Brazilian sisters, the style has been reported to have been named simply because it 'sounded exotic.'

Controversy

Brazilian waxing faces more controversy than other types of waxing.^{[15][16](p528)} Like all waxing, it can be a physically painful experience during and after waxing,^{[11][16](p531)[17][18](p161)} which some believe can become more unpleasant if receiving cunnilingus from a bearded partner.^{[16](p233)[18](p89)} American actress-model Lisa Barbuscia commented on her negative first experience at getting a Brazilian at a Los Angeles salon popular with porn stars: "It was so painful I collapsed. I only fainted, but I was nearly carted off to hospital and I have vowed never to try it again." ^[19] However, the Brazilian's continued popularity speaks against such experiences being universal. Some critics of the procedure believe that Brazilian waxing can contribute to making an adult woman look underage, citing this as one reason for its popularity in the pornographic industry.^{[9][Need quotation to verify][15][Need quotation to verify][18](p161)[Need quotation to verify]} The look has also been called perverted^[20] and unnatural by some.^{[9][11][16](p246)[21]} There is also a health risk involved if it is not done properly, as well as a risk of infection if done on a person with a weakened immune system.^[22] However, this style of wax has become increasingly popular, mostly among younger women, for its aesthetic value and clean appearance and despite the slight controversy there have even been reports of women of all ages opting for this form. Thirteen women, aged from 18 to their late 40s, agreed to have their first Brazilian waxes part of a morning radio stunt. "Ms Batey, who has run her Ella Bache salon for nearly 12 months, said a zero-tolerance approach to pubic hair had gripped the River City. She said girls as young as 16 were coming in for monthly Brazilian treatments, costing about $65 a pop. 'It has become a lot more popular than I thought it would be when I first opened,' Ms Batey said. 'Tons of women are doing it, it has become so normal, and the clients are getting younger and younger. I think once people get past the initial scared phase, they realise that it's really not so painful at all. It is much, much easier after you've had it done once.'"^[23]