Wax-Wise: Be Cautious When Waxing if. . .

Take time to make an educated laundry list of conditions to be cautious of before booking your next waxing treatment. Be careful if you:
• are a smoker - anything that affects the circulatory system in any way will be more prone to fragile capillaries within the waxed area, . . . smoking, stress, etc.
• recently drank coffee or alcohol as they both stimulate the circulation and more prone to fragile capillaries and bruising.
• are pregnant - hormones have different influences on your skin and may react differently during pregnancy. You may also be more prone to uneven pigmentation on areas that are irritated from waxing.
• have diabetes - depending on the stage of diabetes, it is known that diabetics heal slower and are more prone to infection, and therefore, waxing is not a good idea. Often during waxing there may be bleeding from the hair follicle that would contribute to increasing the likelihood of infection.
• take blood thinners - those on blood thinners bleed easier and have a more difficult time healing. Waxing will cause fragile capillaries making it more suceptible to bruising.
• use strong exfoliators on your skin (salicylic acid, AHA) - if used before waxing the skin will be inflammed and irritated, and depending on the type of exfoliation, the skin's natural barrier against bacteria will have been removed. It takes about 72 hours for the acid mantle to replace itself after being stripped. If the barrier is not there the likelihood of breakouts and inflammation is high. Did you know waxing provides an exfoliation process?

Wax-Wise: Do Not Wax if. . .

There are a few situations when waxing any part of your body should be avoided. The following list is straightforward. Be aware.

Do not wax if you:
• take Accutane (acne medication) - it dehydrates the skin so much that the wax will peel the skin with the wax strip causing inflammation and possibly permanent pigmentation, or scarring. Ouch!
• use Retin A - it thins the skin and may offer the same result as Accutane . . . again, ouch!
• have lupus or aids - the skin does not have normal resistance and will be more suceptible to bruising, peeling, infection, fragile capillaries and other obvious concerns.
• recently got botox or collagen injections - these injectables need to stay in place as long as possible, not be manipulated by waxing. In the case of Botox, the muscle is paralysed and this will affect the normal reaction of the skin, which is necessary when monitoring the skin's reaction to waxing.
• are in cancer therapy/chemo or radiation - your immune system is not functioning, any irritation or inflammation will cause infections and can be dangerous.
• have varicose veins - the pulling of the wax removal can cause bruising and some capillaries and small veins may lose elasticity making the condition worse.
• have been exposed to direct sunlight or tanning booth - UV contains some infra red which will cause heat in the skin, increasing an inflammatory response from the waxing. It may also cause uneven pigmentation, if you are already tanned, the areas that are being waxed will shed a lot of the superficial pigmented cells.

Wax-Wise: Top Ten Tips for a Smooth Lift-Off

WHEN WAXING BARE, BE PREPARED AND BE AWARE.
1. Be sure the waxing room is clean, a fresh paper cover is on the bed, and the waxing professional is wearing vinyl gloves (preferably not latex).
2. The area to be waxed should be treated with a pre-waxing preparation to disinfect the area and remove any skin oils, or product, that may interrupt the action of the wax.
3. If the hair is more than 1/2 inch (1 cm) in length it should be trimmed. Longer hair will cause more stress from pulling, which will increase the potential to damage the skin and add considerable discomfort. Removing with the hair growth (if possible) will cause less ingrown hairs.
4. The type of wax used should be specifically chosen for the area being treated. Make sure the temperature of the wax is tested before it is applied.
5. The wax applicators should be disposable and not "double dipped" into the wax pot. Roller applicators are convenient, but a new container and applicator should be used for each client. If strip wax is used, the thinner the application, the better the results. It will be more comfortable for the client with less potential for skin damage.
6. Discuss medical history and current medications. Waxing is not recommended if using Retin A, Accutane, blood thinners, or receiving chemotherapy.
7. After waxing, a post care product should be applied to remove any stickiness left from the wax, to calm the area, rebalance the pH and help prevent ingrown hairs.
8. Try to avoid clothing that will rub the area as this can cause an irritation, or inflammation and promote ingrown hairs. A post depilatory product may be recommended to soothe, prevent inflammation and slow down future hair growth.
9. Avoid the application of heavy creams to the area for the first 72 hours. They will hold heat in the skin increasing an inflammatory response, and will make the area more susceptible to breakouts.
10. Do not go tanning or have a body exfoliation prior to a waxing appointment.

These top ten wax-wise tips will ensure a positive waxing experience. Stay tuned for more wax-wise tips this week.

Brazilian Bikini Wax Ban Update

It is no surprise the proposed brazilian bikini wax ban is kaput. It is also no surprise that many hair removal experts were up in arms over the potential loss of business for the "bare down there" grooming.

Consumer Affairs Director, David Szuchman, whose office oversees the Cosmetology Board, did not support the ban. He did, however, ask them to "begin an immediate review of the training necessary to safely provide this service, and to establish appropriate protocols and safeguards."

Bottom line? Brazilians ride a fine line, . . . literally. In the wrong hands, they can offer up all sorts of nasty problems. With so many great professionals in this field, trust us when we say, they are worth finding. The upside of this mini-crisis will bring an awareness of higher standards, more training (there is no such thing as too much training), and clients who are more cautious and careful about their choices. And that, friends is a very good thing.

Brazilian Bikini Wax Treatments Going South?

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Brazilian bikini waxing is big business. And, this big business is in big trouble. The State Board of Cosmetology in New Jersey is making some very serious moves to ban the brazilian, aka "genital waxing," by May of this year. It has been reported that other States may follow suit.

This decision comes after two women in New Jersey were hospitalized with infections following their brazilian treatments. In the wrong hands, genital waxing can present tremendous health threats. Other than the obvious hazards with hot wax in a very delicate area, the skin can easily be torn leaving a wide open path for infections and rashes with potentially dangerous consequences. After reviewing horrifying pictures of a literal brazilian nightmare it became crystal clear that this treatment should only be done professionally by in a reputable spa with a successful track record.

If you are a die hard follower of the 'minimalist' crowd, do not fear. Regular bikini waxes will remain a favorite on most spa menus. The obvious question is, . . . what is the difference between a bikini wax and a brazilian? Here are some waxing definitions to help.

Bikini Wax - aka American Wax - removal of hair at the top of the leg, below the navel, and along the bikini line where the pubic hair is visible beyond a typical bikini swimsuit.
French Wax - aka Partial Brazilian - a wax that leaves a vertical strip in front.
Brazilian Wax - removal of everything, front to back, often leaving the small strip in the front.
Sphinx - aka The Full Monty - wax on, wax off, the entire area is waxed clean.

Bikini Wax Trivia: Why is it called the Brazilian?
It was named after a group of seven sisters who brought the treatment from Brazil to New York in 1987. The character, Samantha, on Sex and the City took care of its recent 'bare down there' popularity.