A Brazilian wax and a Manzilian are the same service. Both remove all hair from the pubic region, including the shaft, scrotum, and area between the buttocks. "Manzilian" is a marketing term that emerged in the mid-2000s to signal the service was designed for men. Most salons in West Hollywood now use "male Brazilian" or simply "Brazilian" regardless of gender. The procedure, technique, and result are identical.
What the terms mean
The word "Brazilian" describes the scope of hair removal—everything from the pubic bone to the tailbone. It originated in New York in the 1980s when the J Sisters salon introduced the style. The service became standard in women's salons and later adapted for men without changing the technique.
"Manzilian" appeared around 2005 as salons began marketing intimate waxing to male clients. The portmanteau combined "man" and "Brazilian" to make the service feel less gendered. Some men preferred the term because it signaled the practitioner understood male anatomy. Others found it unnecessary. By the 2010s, most licensed estheticians dropped the distinction. A male Brazilian wax at Igor For Men on Larrabee Street in West Hollywood uses the same hard wax, same positioning, and same aftercare whether you call it a Brazilian or Manzilian.
The terms now function as synonyms. If a salon lists both on its menu, the services are the same. If it lists only one, ask—but expect the same scope of removal.
How the service works
The appointment takes 30–45 minutes in a private suite. You undress from the waist down and lie on a cushioned table. The practitioner applies hard wax in sections—front, underside, and between. The wax hardens in seconds and lifts off without strips. Hair comes out at the root.
Positioning varies by area. For the front, you lie on your back with knees bent. For the underside and scrotum, you may hold skin taut or shift to your side. For the area between the buttocks, you turn onto your stomach or pull one knee toward your chest. The practitioner works quickly and adjusts as needed.
"Men ask if there's a difference between a Brazilian and Manzilian. There isn't. The wax goes where the hair is. The name doesn't change the technique." — Rene', practitioner
Most men describe the sensation as sharp but brief. The first pass is the most intense. Subsequent appointments hurt less as hair grows back finer. Redness fades within a few hours. Results last three to five weeks depending on your hair cycle.
Why the confusion persists
Marketing language creates the impression that men's services require different products or methods. In reality, male and female anatomy differ in surface area and skin texture, but the wax formula and removal process stay the same. Hard wax works on coarse hair regardless of where it grows.
Some salons in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood still use "Manzilian" on their menus to clarify that the service accommodates male clients. This signals that the practitioner is trained in male anatomy and comfortable with the procedure. It does not mean the wax is different or the appointment follows a separate protocol.
Other salons list only "Brazilian" and note in the description that the service is available for all clients. Both approaches describe the same removal scope. If you book a Brazilian at a salon that serves men, you receive full intimate waxing. If you book a Manzilian, you receive the same thing.
The confusion also stems from online forums where men debate which term sounds less awkward. The answer depends on personal preference. Neither term changes what happens in the appointment.
What to ask when you book
When scheduling your first Brazilian service, confirm the scope of removal. Ask if the appointment includes the pubic area, shaft, scrotum, and area between the buttocks. Most salons define this as "full Brazilian" or "complete Brazilian." Some offer a "modified Brazilian" that stops short of the tailbone. Clarify which version you want.
Ask about the wax type. Hard wax adheres to hair rather than skin and reduces irritation on sensitive areas. Strip wax (soft wax) is faster but pulls at the skin and causes more discomfort. Most West Hollywood salons use hard wax for intimate areas.
Confirm the practitioner's experience with male clients. At Igor For Men, Rene' has over 21 years of experience and works in a private suite on Larrabee Street near the Sunset Strip. The appointment is discreet and follows the same protocol whether you call it a Brazilian or Manzilian.
Ask about pre-appointment requirements. Hair should be at least a quarter-inch long—about three weeks of growth. Trim if it's longer than half an inch. Shower before your appointment and avoid caffeine, which tightens skin and increases sensitivity.
For pricing, expect to pay $145 to $200 in Los Angeles depending on the salon and location. Rates in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills tend toward the higher end due to real estate costs and practitioner experience. The full-body trimming service is a separate option if you prefer to maintain length rather than remove hair entirely.