Monday, December 22, 2008

Considering a Body Wax? Read this First.

By Charlotte Field

Estheticians agree that personal waxing is fast becoming the most sought-after method of any hair removal system. And why not? Other hair removal systems can be expensive, ineffective, and complicated with possible dangerous side effects. If you have not experienced personal body waxing, and think you may want to give it a try, you'll have a few questions to ask before you embark on a commitment like this. The worst part of beginning a waxing routine is not knowing what to expect. I have put together a brief question and answer forum with the most commonly asked questions listed below. The answers apply to all parts of the body, although some may be a bit more sensitive than others.

Q. What length does the hair on my body have to be to get a successful wax?

If you want good results, you'll want to stop shaving for about 2 or 3 weeks, or until your hair grows to about 1/4". This may be a bit irritating, just ignoring your hair growth, but the process works a lot better if the wax has something to hold on to. A little bit of discomfort while letting your hair grow will pay off with better results.

Q. What do I need to know about getting my skin ready for waxing?

About 2 to 3 days before your waxing appointment, you need to keep in mind two things. Stay out of the sun and exfoliate. Do not do any sunbathing or have any sun exposure for 48 hours before your appointment. Also, two or three days before your scheduled waxing, you need to gently scrub the area to be waxed with an exfoliator. Be sure it's a mild exfoliator and you do not scrub too much. Then, on the day of the waxing, just cleanse your body as usual, without exfoliating, and rinse thoroughly, avoiding body products like lotions, deodorant, perfume, powders, and oils. These products must be avoided as they can cause discomfort and irritation to the skin during or after the waxing process.

Q. Does waxing hurt?

To be perfectly honest, there will be some pain and discomfort during the first waxing visit. However, each appointment after that will become easier, due to the simple fact that there is less hair to remove each time. Pain threshold is different for each person, so it is hard to estimate the degree of discomfort that any one person will experience. It is certainly not extremely painful, but your level of pain tolerance will be something that you and your esthetician can and should discuss before beginning the waxing procedure. Avoid waxing during times that your skin is stressed for whatever reason. One such time is during your period, which has been shown to be a time that your skin is more sensitive.

Q. Will I have to take my panties off when I get a bikini wax?

Your esthetician will have a disposable panty for you if you choose to be covered during your bikini line wax. Of course, estheticians are professionals and will treat you with respect. Before you begin the bikini waxing, discuss any confusion or discomfort you may be experiencing about the actual waxing procedure with your esthetician. You should agree beforehand on the bikini line you wish to wax so there are no mistakes made during the waxing to cause you and your esthetician discomfort. However, if at any time during the waxing you should become uncomfortable, you will want to stop the waxing and discuss your feelings with your esthetician. Don't be afraid to seek out a different esthetician if you feel that you are not receiving professional treatment at all times.

Q. After the waxing is over, do I need to baby my skin?

After each waxing appointment, give your skin a break. Stay out of the sun for at least 24 hours and do not climb into a tanning bed for at least 48 hours or more. Your skin is a bit stressed and will not like any alcohol based products, perfumes, lotions, powders, or oils. As a matter of fact, your skin will let you know in no uncertain terms that it wishes to be babied a little. Most any product you normally put on your skin will burn if you try to use it on your freshly waxed skin, so avoid these products for about a day or two.

Q. Once I get into a routine, how long can I go between waxings without seeing hair?

It all depends on how fast your hair grows and if you are just starting your waxing routine. Some people may not be able to go longer than 2 weeks, while others can go as long as 6 weeks. However, the longer you have been on a regular waxing schedule, the longer each waxing will last. Hair grows in cycles which means it's appearing at different intervals. Each time you wax, you are only removing the hair that's made an appearance thus far; there are more hairs waiting underneath that will show up in the next few days. Because of that, it may take up to 3 waxing sessions to have all your hair growing in different intervals finally removed. So, your legs will probably not be smooth for about 3 waxing appointments. After that, you'll notice that you will be able to go longer between waxings without seeing hair.

Still deciding if you want to start waxing instead of shaving? Do you find yourself constantly wondering when you shaved last, or have way too many occasions when you wanted to wear shorts but had to wear slacks because you forgot to shave? When you're at the beach or pool, do you find yourself constantly readjusting your swimsuit to hide those stragglers that keep peeking out? Waxing may be your answer. Once you establish a routine with your esthetician for waxing, you won't ever want to see a razor again. Give your esthetician a call today to schedule a consultation. - 16083

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