Strip waxing (soft wax) is accomplished by spreading a wax thinly over the skin. A cloth or paper strip is applied and pressed firmly, adhering the strip to the wax and the wax to the skin. The strip is then quickly ripped against the direction of hair growth, as parallel as possible to the skin to avoid trauma to the skin (i.e, bruising, broken capillaries, ingrown hairs caused by hair follicle trauma and lifting of skin). This removes the wax along with the hair.

Strip-less wax (as opposed to strip wax), also referred to as hard wax, is applied somewhat thickly and with no cloth or paper strips. The wax then hardens when it cools, thus allowing the easy removal by a therapist without the aid of cloths. This waxing method is very beneficial to people who have sensitive skin. Strip-less wax does not adhere to the skin as much as strip wax does, thus making it a good option for sensitive skin as finer hairs are more easily removed because the hard wax encapsulates the hair as it hardens. The strip-less waxing method can also be less painful.

Benefits of Waxing

There are many benefits to waxing versus other forms of hair removal. It is an effective method to remove large amounts of hair at one time.[3] It is a long-lasting method. Hair in waxed areas will not grow back for two to eight weeks. When hair is shaved or removed by depilatory cream, the hair is removed at the surface rather than the root. Within a few days, the hair can be seen at the surface. With these methods, hair tends to grow back in a rough stubble. Areas that are repeatedly waxed over long periods of time often exhibit regrowth that is softer.

What Should I Expect?

Remove clothing. You will be asked to remove your underwear in a treatment room. By removing your underwear you protect your clothing as well as provide optimal working conditions so that I can get all of the unwanted hair!

Prep the area. I will cleanse the area to eliminate potentially dangerous bacteria that may exist on your skin. I will also ask you about what areas you would like to leave hair.

Other Information About Waxing & Medical Contra-indications Waxing Contra-indications

Skin that is being treated with Retin-A, Renova or other strong exfoliates like glycolic acid products Accutane (oral or topical acne medication or if you are using over the counter acne medication), products containing Alpha Hydroxy, Tetracycline or any other skin thinning treatments, if you are taking blood thinners. No waxing on sunburned skin. If you have Diabetes, you should have a written release from your physician stating that in his/her opinion, is it safe for you to have body waxing performed.

Red Waxing Bumps

Waxing bumps do happen, and often look like a razor burn or just red, irritated skin. The simple truth is that everyone reacts differently to waxing, and although not pretty, a mild case can be considered a normal reaction. The good news is there are steps you can take to lessen bumps or avoid them altogether.

Fight the bump. Hydrocortisone cream is another option that most people have in their cabinet which will help soothe irritation and any itchiness.

Stick with it. Usually waxing bumps lessen over time as your skin adjusts if you continue to wax somewhat frequently.

Last note about waxing:

I prefer not to tweeze your hair but will when necessary. This takes some getting used to on your part, but the reason for this is that it will make your waxing service longer (female 30 minutes, male 45 minutes). Perfect waxing means wax is applied and removed and all the hair comes off. Now you have a smooth, stubble free area that remains hair free in-between appointments. This only occurs if the hair is long enough to be pulled out by the follicle. Tweezing interrupts this from happening. So we ask that you be patient for about 1 month, don’t tweeze, shave or use a depilatory cream, come in every 4 to 5 weeks and in 3 months your hair will start growing back on the same growth cycle so you will have longer periods of being hair free and you will love your waxing results!

How Should I Prepare?

Apply Some Heat By taking a warm, not hot shower or bath, or applying a warm compress right before waxing will open up the skin’s pores and soften the skin, allowing the hair follicles to come out easier (this is not always possible). This not only helps with the pain factor, but helping prevent irritation from the wax pulling on the skin.

Be Clean. Come freshly showered.

Be Dry. Cleanliness is appreciated, but please skip on the lotion, you'll get better results if your skin is less oily.

Be Hairy. Your hair should be at least ¼ of an inch in length (which makes it long enough to lay flat on your skin). Please don't shave for at least two weeks prior to your appointment to ensure that your hair is long enough! Also, if you've 'let it go' down there please trim any longer hairs to the proper length prior to your appointment.

Be Comfortable. If possible, wear loose clothing, if possible, that day to prevent irritation in the post-wax phase.

Be Relaxed. Reportedly the more relaxed your muscles are, the better your hair removal results will be!

Pre-Brazilian Waxing Prep:

Particularily for Women Your skin is often more sensitive the time near your period, and waxing can be more painful than normal. So your appointment shouldn't be any closer than a couple of days before or after your period. It is up to you, just wear a tampon and let me know prior.

Pain Helpers Take Ibuprofen 30- 45 minutes before your appointment if you’re worried about pain. Limit caffeine for several hours prior to appointment. I use a numbing spray prior to every waxing, this will help with the discomfort by 50 to 90% in most clients. Taking antacids (Tums) prior to their appointment also helps.

Keeping your body sleek and hairless is no easy task – you know that. But what you may not know are the pros and cons of increasingly popular Brazilian waxes. Named for the place that evokes images of sand, surf and teeny tiny bikinis, a Brazilian wax is designed to keep your most intimate areas hairless, or near hairless, for extended periods of time. Some swear by the practice, but nearly everyone has a desire to swear during the specialized treatment. It can be quite uncomfortable and the financial cost also can sting too.

Brazilian waxes grew in popularity in the U.S. after the show "Sex and the City" put a focus on them. Soon everyone was interested in achieving a perfect bikini line.

At its core, a Brazilian wax requires three things: a trained aesthetician, wax and cloth. But that doesn't mean it's easy or pleasant. You need to know what to guard against, what you'll likely experience and how often you'll need to schedule an appointment with Diane.

When you arrive for your bikini waxing appointment you'll be handed a small garment – a very small garment. It's really more of a paper thong. The tiny piece of paper, which is attached to a piece of elastic, is meant to cover only the strip of hair that will remain. You'll be asked to lie on a table wearing nothing from the waist down but the disposable G-string. Since longer hair is difficult to remove with wax, you may be given a trim. Once the trimming is complete, your aesthetician will ask you to move your legs to better expose the areas which require waxing.

Let's be honest – waxing hurts. But there are several ways to minimize the discomfort. Ask Diane if there's a topical anesthetic cream she can apply for pain relief. Talk about the type of wax she plans on using. Soy-based hard waxes are best because they stick to hair but not skin. Consider taking an anti-inflammatory in advance of your treatment. In addition, help your aesthetician when you can. If she asks you to pull the skin taut, it's in your best interest to do so. It's easier to remove hair from taut skin than relaxed, loose skin. And finally, relax as much as possible. Resisting what's to come will only make you more uncomfortable.

A trained aesthetician is key to a successful Brazilian wax. Steer clear of too-good-to-be-true bargains and amateur-looking spas. The wax shouldn't have been used in previous appointments, because of the obvious threat of spreading germs and disease. The same goes for the tools being used during the process; it's vital that they're sanitized between appointments. If your current aesthetician doesn't wear gloves or test the temperature of the wax on her own skin first, you're not dealing with a professional.

Why Get a Brazillian Wax?

By now you may be asking, "So why would I want to go through that procedure?" While there can be some unpleasantness during a Brazilian waxing, it has multiple benefits. A hair-free lower body appearance will allow you to hit the beach in a bikini without being self-conscious or flaunt that sexy lingerie. Unlike shaving the bikini area with a razor, Brazilian waxing keeps your skin stubble-free and you won't have to think about re-growth for several weeks. Since the hair is literally pulled from the shaft, you'll get the longest lasting, smooth results with a Brazilian wax. Many people regularly undergo a Brazilian wax without complaint. Your skin sensitivity and the professionalism of your aesthetician can make all the difference. With a little research and a bit of discomfort, you could be hitting the beach Brazilian style.