ENGAGED! River Valley Summer/Fall 2017 Issue 4

BEAUTY AND WELLNESS

SAY “I DO” TO Waxing

EVERY soon-to-be bride has their beauty check list for the wedding, including hair, facials, make-up, nails, spray tan, and massage… but have you added waxing to your list? So many hear the word “wax” and immediately answer “NO WAY!” or “I could NEVER do that!” Here I will answer the most popular questions I get from new waxing clients in hopes to open your mind to the idea of waxing and lessen any anxieties you may have about considering waxing for your wedding day and honeymoon. I have been a Licensed Esthetician for over 10 years and have waxed hundreds of ladies. I have my own beautiful spa suite on the North side of Evansville where I offer full body waxing and sugaring hair removal services, Brazilians being by far my most popular service booked by clients. I typically wax anywhere from 6-8 Brazilian clients in any given day! I also provide Skincare services: Customized Facials, Microdermabrasion, Peels, Dermaplaining, Lash Lift & Tint, Brow Tint, and Norvell Sunless Spray Tans. Now that you know a little about my background, let’s get started!

What is the difference between waxing and shaving? When you shave, you are creating a blunt razor cut into the mid hair shaft at skin level. Therefore, once the hair starts to grow more, it does not take long to notice it rising up past the skin. You’ll notice it appears darker and thicker as well. That is due to the blunt razor cut at the thickest part of the hair. However, when you wax, hair is removed by the root, meaning your body has to make an entirely new hair beneath the skin surface- and lucky for us, that takes a while. Hence the smooth skin for longer period of time! (Approximately up to three weeks!) As that new hair grows in, it is finer, thinner, and less dense than the shaved hair.

Why is waxing the most ideal form of hair removal for a bride? Brides have so much on their minds leading up to their big day, daily shaving and all the irritation that comes along with it should be the last thing you have to worry about! With proper, professional waxing you should experience up to three weeks of smooth skin! Can you imagine no shaving for three weeks!?! That would include the time on your honeymoon!

How soon before the wedding should I schedule my appointment? I always recommend coming in for at least one to two waxes prior to your wedding, to get your hair all on the same growth cycle. When you are shaving daily, your hair growth cycles are sporadic and occasionally there will be some hairs that will be too short to wax the first time. Typically with the first wax, I

tell my clients it is not unusual to see some regrowth happen within the first week or so. Leave those hairs alone. Don’t shave so they’re long enough at your next appointment, then we will get all hairs on the same cycle. After we get them on the same cycle. As long as you are not shaving between appointments, you will have smooth skin for up to three weeks; and one-two weeks to regrow and you’ll be ready for a wax again!

Does it hurt, and what can I do prior to appointment to lessen any discomfort? So I have good news and bad news. I’ll start with the bad- I quit lying to my clients years ago. Yes, there is discomfort. Anytime you are removing hair by the root, it’s not going to be sunshine and rainbows. Now, the good news! There are some things that I can do to help with the discomfort, and things that you can do to help as well! You will want to watch your intake of caffeine the day of your appointment as well as anything that may thin your blood or increase your blood volume; as the hair root is close to the blood stream. Do not drink alcohol prior to your appointment- this is a myth and does not make it hurt less. It can actually increase the discomfort. If you are close to your period or pregnant, your elevated hormones and blood volume can make you more sensitive as well. If you are on any kind of Retin A or prescription medication from a doctor/dermatologist, you cannot be waxed. Take deep breaths, and I will also ask for you to assist in holding the skin taught/tight when I pull. After the pull I apply pressure with my hand. I also retail “No Scream Cream,” which is an FDA approved topical numbing cream you can apply 30-45 minutes prior to your appointment, and it will take up to 80% of your discomfort away! (this must be purchased prior to your appointment, and can be used on all areas of the body for waxing).

How long do I have to grow out my hair for my waxing appointment? Hair must be grown out to ¼ - ½ of an inch long; erring on the side of long. That is about the size of a grain of rice. Depending on how fast or slow your hair grows; it’s approximately onetwo weeks of growth.

What kind of wax do you use? The type of wax used is very important; especially in body waxing. I absolutely love the wax I use, and so do my clients! I use Se-Brazil waxes by Stephanie Laynes. I have two types of soft waxes, Latte- a cream and Seven- a gel. I also use the CoCo/ Diva Hard Wax. These waxes are low temp and natural; there are no chemicals, parabens, polymers, artificial fragrances or colorants that could potentially irritate the skin in the waxes, same is true for the pre and post care products. I typically use a soft wax in the bikini area and only use hard wax on the labia

and around back. I also offer sugaring as an alternative to waxing, it is very similar, yet different and is an organic sugar paste called SugarLove by Jessaskincare. (I will explain the difference a little further down, and you can refer to my website for more details).

How long is my appointment? Your first appointment will take longer than maintenance appointments. I book out 45 minutes for first-time Brazilian waxing service and 30 minutes for your first bikini wax service. This is a total time to allow for undressing, the service itself, getting redressed, checking out and rebooking. Many times the wax itself is only 10-20 minutes long. (when clients add on brow, lip, underarms, legs; this time will obviously be a little longer).

Besides bikini/Brazilian, what other areas should I get waxed? Many of my regular clients, especially brides get multiple areas waxed. Brows are great to get shaped and sculpted prior to your wedding, and it is very nice for the wedding week and honeymoon to toss that razor aside and not worry about hair, that is when I recommend: Brow, Upper Lip, Underarms, Bikini/ Brazilian, full or half legs.

What is the difference between a bikini and a Brazilian? Every Esthetician defines this differently, so wherever you choose to go you’ll want to get clarification prior to booking your appointment. I define as; Bikini Wax includes the upper thigh, a hands width from the bikini/underwear line, as well as anything above the “mound” is fair game. You can leave a large or small triangle, a strip, or remove it all. Brazilian is all hair removed front to back; however, if you wish to leave a triangle/ strip you may do so. Some do not like to take all in the bikini area.

if requested at time of booking appointment, or as an alternative if I see best fit. It is a bit slower of a service, as I hold the sugar paste in the hand and mold it to your skin 2-3 times and remove it with a flick of the wrist.

Do I need to do anything at home after my wax? For 24-48 hours after your wax you will want to avoid the 4 S’s: Soaking, Sweating, Sun and Sex. After waxing it takes a while for your skin to return to normal, you want to protect your open follicles from any bacteria entering in. Soaking includes swimming pool, hot tub, or bath tub. You will also want to ensure you keep your skin hydrated daily, the best way to ensure this is to drink enough water as well as apply a moisturizer (ideally without fragrances/colorants), as well as exfoliate two-three times a week. This can include using a product with a grit such as a scrub, an exfoliation mitt, or a retail product that I sell. Please avoid laying out or tanning beds for 24-48 hours post wax, apply sun protection if you cannot avoid being outside, as your skin is much more sensitive. You will leave your service with an appropriate post-wax product on. I hope this Q&A helped answer a lot of your waxing questions, and got you excited to add hair removal to your bridal check list! Don’t forget to schedule your appointments ahead of time! Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions about waxing or sugaring! Let’s Wax!!!

Donna has been a Licensed Esthetician for 10 years and is the owner of Donna Curry Esthetics located on the Northside of Evansville. She provides Skincare, full body Waxing and Sugaring, custom Airbrush Spray Tans, & more!

I am prone to ingrowns with shaving, will I get them with waxing? It is very likely that your ingrown situation will improve with waxing! However, there is some homecare that you will need to do post wax to ensure this! You will want to be consistent with exfoliating two-three times a week, and keeping your skin hydrated daily. I also have several great home care products from Se-Brazil and Jessskincare that can help you maintain smooth skin at home. It is typically unlikely that ingrowns are a result from your esthetician, unless they are unexperienced with techniques of body waxing; as technicians we cannot “give you ingrown.” I have retail products that can help prevent and/or treat ingrowns, and we don’t have to start you on the most abrasive exfoliation method first, I like to start small and work our way up.

As hair is regrowing, will it be itchy and stubbly? When your hair is growing in the new hair will have a fine tapered tip, this makes regrowth finer, thinner and less dense. You should not experience any stubble, and little to no itchiness.

What is sugaring? Sugaring in an alternative to wax, and it typically is a better option for those with sensitive skin. I became certified in Sugaring two year ago. (I do prefer to still use hard wax on the labia and around back; however, I can sugar the bikini area). I only sugar