Wax On...Wax Off

At long last, it is time to address some of the burning (no pun intended) questions women really

Posted: Dec 08, 2009

have about waxing. Specifically, let's talk Brazilians! The following are the questions we hear most often, as well as a few most women are too embarrassed to ask (but wish they could).

Don’t worry, we aren’t going to get graphic here (this is a family site after all) but still, men, you probably just want to click away now!

1) How much do you take off? Everything, seriously?
In a Brazilian waxing service, we remove all the hair from front to back and everything in between. A bit can be left per the client’s request, usually in the front, otherwise it all goes!

2) Does it hurt?
This is a "duh" sort of question. Yes, of course it hurts. Now how much it hurts depends on a few factors. It hurts less if you're not around that time of the month (hormones make us more sensitive), and if it's not your first time being waxed in the bikini area. Also, regular waxing appointments, spaced 4-5 weeks apart traumatizes the hair follicle - this results in sparser hair growth, a weaker hair shaft and (frankly) higher tolerance for the pain. So in all honesty, the pain decreases from the very first waxing service.

3) As a follow on to #2 - what does Sorella do to minimize the pain?
Sorella estheticians use Cirepil waxes for sensitive areas of the body. This is a hard wax, where a pellon (fabric) strip is not needed to remove the wax. This wax naturally adheres itself to the hair and not as much to the skin. Therefore, there is less exfoliation of the topmost layer of the skin. In addition, applying pressure to the area immediately after the removal is often effective in helping minimize pain. Lastly, we make the service interactive with our clients, having them help pull the skin taut for faster, more effective, less painful hair removal.

4) Should I take an anti-inflammatory first to help with the pain?
It’s not clear how well this works. We've heard ibuprofen is helpful in reducing the pain of the process, but this is a personal choice – not one we really recommend officially.

5) How long should hair be for waxing in the bikini area?
Hair growth should be at least 1/4 inch (3-4 weeks without shaving) but not more than 1/2 inch, for best and easiest effect. More people then you would think come in with freshly shaven areas or even 1-2 weeks of hair growth and then have to be rescheduled.

Bonus Tip!
Pre and Post care for brazilin waxing
1) Exfoliate using a sea salt body scrub 24 hours after waxing and 2-3 times a week, until next waxing appointment, to keep skin hydrated and free of dead cells.
2) Apply a post-epilation product (such as Get the Bump Out – carried here at Sorella) that prevents ingrown hairs 24 hours after waxing and everyday up to your next waxing appt.

Many thanks for the answers to these questions go to our fabulous estheticians Erin (our Spa Director and located in Issaquah) and Ceci (in our Kirkland location).

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