Depilatory Waxing
- What is a depilatory?
- A depilatory is any product that is specifically used to remove unwanted hair. Common products include: cold wax, warm wax, creams, tweezers, and mechanical devices (such as the “epilady”).
- Which treatment do you use at 410 Salon & Skin Care?
- At 410 Salon & Skin Care, I do all depilatory services by waxing first, then removing any stubborn hairs with tweezers.
- Who can have waxing?
- Anyone, male or female. People that should NOT have waxing: anyone who is sunburned, or has any skin irritation that could potentially react negatively to aggressive manipulation or heat.
- What body parts do you typically wax?
- With the exception of the male genital area, I can wax almost any part of the body. Our female clients frequently have waxing performed in the following areas: facial (brows, upper lip, chin), arms (lower, upper or both), stomach, bikini area, lower back, and legs. Our male clients frequently have waxing performed on the back, chest and brow (“uni-brow” inhibitor!).
- What procedure is followed?
- After discussing with the client exactly what hair is to be removed, I will dust the skin with cornstarch powder to absorb any excess oils. Next, I apply a warm, even layer of honey-based wax to the area, press a muslin strip down, and pull it away quickly to remove the hair.
- Does it hurt?
- In a word...yes. How much it hurts depends on your skin sensitivity, the coarseness and thickness of your hair and the quantity of hair. Most clients are surprised at how little it hurts though, likening it to pulling off a bandage. The good news is that it gets easier as you do it more regularly.
- Will the hair grow back thicker?
- An unequivocal NO! In fact, regular waxing will eventually reduce the overall amount of hair growth. Most clients see a noticeable thinning of waxed areas after only a few visits.
- What is a "Panty Line Bikini"?
- A Panty Line Bikini removes only the hair that would be visible outside the lines of an average-cut swimsuit or panty.
- What about the “Brazilian Bikini Wax”? What is it and do you do it?
- The “Brazilian” is so named because it allows you to wear even the skimpiest Brazilian Thong swimsuit without fear or worry that hairs will escape from the edges of the tiny fabric. The traditional Brazilian Bikini waxes off all but a thin strip of hair (usually about one inch wide) in the soft tissue area above the pubic bone and extending down. And yes, I do it.
- What if I want to take it all off?
- Then you would want to ask for the "Bare Bikini" wax, which removes all hair from the soft tissue region above the pubic bone and extending downward.
- What do I wear for a Strip or Bare Bikini wax?
- Wear comfortable panties that are closest to the shape you want to acheive. Waxing is a messy process though, so for "Strip" or "Bare" waxes, it's easiest to simply remove your panties and I will supply you with a cover towel.
- What sanitary precautions do you take?
- At 410 Salon and Skin Care, I take pride in providing a clean, sanitary environment. All metal implements are soaked in a hospital-grade disinfectant. I provide a freshly laundered towel for each client to lay on and wear vinyl gloves whenever I am working near the genital area.
- How long will it take for my skin to recover from redness?
- The skin may stay red anywhere from 1 to 24 hours, depending on skin sensitivity, and the area that has been waxed. Areas that stay red the longest: upper lip, bikini line, eyebrows, and back.
- What do you do after the waxing is complete?
- For sensitive areas I will apply a witch hazel spray and (sometimes) after-wax lotion. For larger, less-sensitive areas such as legs, I will apply apricot kernel oil to remove wax residue.
- Is there any specific home care needed after waxing?
- The most important thing to remember after waxing is that a tiny layer of dead, but protective, skin cells have been removed with the wax. Therefore, clients who have been waxed are more prone to sun sensitivity. You should ALWAYS wear a sunscreen on any recently-waxed areas. For clients who are prone to ingrown hairs (and they can occur with waxing as well as shaving), you are advised to exfoliate and moisturize the area well to keep the skin soft and supple so that incoming hairs have a chance to grow in without infection.
- How long will it last?
- The huge benefit of waxing is that the hair is pulled out from the root, and not cut off mid-shaft (as with shaving). It takes much longer for the hair to grow in completely from the root. How long your service will last depends on your rate of hair growth and how coarse it is. Although you will see some re-growth by the second or third week, most clients are not ready for another waxing until four to six weeks.
- How long does the hair need to be?
- To wax most effectively, the hair should be about a 1/4 of an inch long. As stated before, waxed areas tend to grow in with thinner, finer hair, so getting it to 1/4 inch is not so terrible as it would be with full hair growth.
- How much experience do you have in waxing services?
- Skin care has been my specialty for the past eighteen years. I have performed literally thousands of waxing services during that time. I am very comfortable with the procedures and will strive to make you equally comfortable and satisfied with the results.