How Does it Work?
Waxing is the most common method of hair removal in spas today. Hair on any part of the body or face can be waxed. Warm wax is applied to the area and then removed, bringing the hair with it.
Waxing reduces hair growth when performed at regular intervals (depending on your hair cycle can be anywhere from 2-6 weeks). Because waxing pulls the hair out by the root, it grows back softer, finer, and thinner. The more you wax, the less hair grows back. It’s also great to get done a few days prior to any tattoo work.
Does Waxing Hurt?
Depending on the area being waxed (which affects the coarseness of the hair) and your sensitivity level, pain associated with waxing is relatively mild and temporary for most clients. Painful waxing experiences typically come from improper application and removal of the wax resulting in tugging of the hair and pulling, bruising or lifting of the skin. Ouch! An experienced waxer removes the wax strip (for soft wax) in a parallel motion to the skin's surface thus resulting in the hair being lifted out of the pore and leaving the skin in place. A waxer should NEVER lift up on the wax strip when removing. This is what causes most damage and pain to the skin. Hard wax is a better alternative for more sensitive areas as it does not adhere to the skin, and is gentler during removal.
Generally, most clients are sensitive where there are the most nerve endings and that is typically the upper lip and the fundal mound of the pubic bone. I often apply pressure to the more sensitive areas after removing the wax as this tricks the nerves and calms them immediately.
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Am I A Candidate For Waxing?
If you fall within any of the following categories, you would not make a good candidate for waxing (also called contraindications):
Use of prescription strength exfoliating (or acne) products (i.e. Retin-A, Accutane, Tazorac, Differin Gel, Tretinoin, etc). Please stop the use of topical products Retin-A at least 10 days prior to your waxing service (although it is preferred you not have used the product in at least 3 months) . Accutane or other ingest-able exfoliating medications requires 6 months-1 year of a break between to your last dose and your waxing service. These products thin the skin and thus it is HIGHLY LIKELY you will lift skin and then scab if wax is applied and you have not informed your service provider of your medication use.
Topical or oral antibiotic use, mild exfoliating products (AHAs or BHAs), and Retinols can all cause the skin to thin thus making you vulnerable to lifting and sensitivity. Please disclose any use of these products to your service provider.
Recent chemical peel or microdermabrasion of any kind. Please allow 7 days between a mild chemical peel (glycolic, lactic, etc.) has been administered, or 7 days after your peeling has stopped for mid-level to deep penetrating peels (TCA, Jessner, Salicylic, etc).
Recent sunburn or prolonged exposure to the sun/tanning bed. Please allow for 7 days once the redness and peeling has stopped if your burn was severe enough.
Visible skin trauma including but not limited to: burns, scabs, open wounds, infections, lesions, sores, dry or scaly and flaking skin, herpes outbreak, moles or raised skin, post surgical scarring less than 6 months old or severe acne. Please allow the skin to heal and clear before seeking a waxing service.
Diabetics or those undergoing cancer treatment. These two conditions often affect your body's ability to heal from any damage or trauma and thus should be avoided.
What Should I Expect in
Getting a Brazilian Wax?
By far the most vulnerable of waxing experiences is the Brazilian or bikini wax. I assure you I have done hundreds of these waxing services and have seen it all.
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Your service will begin with a short consultation and consent form. We will discuss your waxing history and what your expectation is of the service. The technician will then step out of the room to leave you to disrobe.
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For a bikini wax, you may leave your underwear on if you desire the technician will place protective paper over it to keep the wax from getting on it. If you want an French bikini wax or a Brazilian, you will need to disrobe from the waist down and you may cover yourself with the towel provided if you chose. There are always baby wipes available to cleanse yourself with during this time if desired.
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The technician will knock on the door to ensure you are ready. Then will put on gloves for both of our protection. Technician then will apply a light layer of oil to the area to be waxed to protect the skin from the wax adhering to firmly.
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Technician will have you bend your knees and then open your legs to a frog position first. The wax is then applied to the edge of the pubic hair (typically on the leg), working my way in. It is my technique to use soft wax (the type that is removed with the strip) on the leg/fundal mound area and then to switch to hard wax (which does not require the use of a strip to remove) for the labial area.
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Once I've removed all the hair from the bottom of the tummy, sides of the pubic area and down the labia, I will ask you to check to ensure every hair is gone that you wanted gone (sometimes the lighting and my angle can mask hairs. This is your opportunity to double check my work so you don't go home with a tuft that was missed.
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The technician will then have you bring both knees to your chest to get the bottom side of the bum. Soft wax will be used to remove the remaining hair. I will then apply wax remover to the back, have you turn back over and apply wax remover with a new towelette. I then cover you back up with a towel and leave you more wax remover for any areas that might still feel sticky. I will leave the room for you to get dressed and ask you to open the door when you are dressed.
If you have issues with ingrowns, hyperpigmentation or are sensitive to Brazilian waxes, a variety of products are available for home care between appointments. Brazilian waxes last anywhere from 3-6 weeks and can last longer over prolonged waxing.
Please do not shave or tweeze between appointments as we want to get all the hair on the same growth cycle as well as thin out and soften the hair.
***I aim to remove every hair down there. If you would like any hair left or would prefer me not to tweeze or extract any ingrowns, please inform me prior to the service.
Please contact us with any further questions regarding this service.