Q. What is the difference between your French Bikini and Itsy Bitsy Bikini Wax?

Q. How long do I have to wait before my first wax?

Q. I got my eyebrows waxed once and the skin came off. Why?

Q. Is there anything I should do to prepare for waxing and to be comfortable?

Q. Should I be concerned which wax is used on my skin?

Q. How long will my skin stay red?

Q. Which is better, eyebrow powders or pencils?

Q. I have ingrown hairs. Help!

Q. Is waxing the best hair removal method?

Q. What is the difference between your French Bikini and Itsy Bitsy Bikini Wax? A. French Bikini line is removed up to your panty line. An Itsy Bitsy Bikini is farther in than your panty line allows. Let me know when you arrive for your appointment how much you wish to take off. Please be aware that I do not do Brazilian bikini waxing.

Q. How long do I have to wait before my first wax? A. To get the best results, I need your hair to be at least ¼” long. This takes the average person about 1 to 2 weeks of growth. After the first wax, as long as you do not shave between services, you’ll find the second wax to be a lot more comfortable. This is because your hair will grow in finer and more sparse. Typically, the ‘cactus’ feel you have with shaving will not exist with waxing, making it easier to grow out between waxes.

Q. I got my eyebrows waxed once and the skin came off. Why? A. There can be several reasons for this. If you are using skin care products that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids of any kind, these can cause the skin to lift while waxing. Another area of caution is aggressive exfoliation of the skin, such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels. Prescription medications such as antibiotics, Acutane, or topical ointments such as Retin-A or Renova can cause the skin to thin and lift while being waxed. Other products to keep in mind are Strivectin, Proactiv, Avita and Avage. There is also the possibility that your technician may be inexperienced or is using an inferior wax that is not gentle. My recommendation is that if you are unsure of any topical creams or prescriptions you are using, ask first. Keep in mind that it’s difficult to predict how skin will react, no matter how many precautions are taken.

Q. Is there anything I should do to prepare for waxing and to be comfortable? A. Yes. There are a few things you can do. I often recommend taking ibuprofen at least 20 minutes before your waxing service, as long as this does not contradict what your doctor has told you. If you are a female client, schedule your waxing service the first two weeks after your cycle. Your sensitivity level is a lot less during this time. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these can stimulate, making you more sensitive and increases the redness after waxing. Pregnancy also increases sensitivity. Many of my clients swear by the Numb-It PFB Topical Anesthetic, which is a topical numbing gel to be applied 15 minutes before your service. It really takes the sting out of waxing.

Q. Should I be concerned which wax is used on my skin? A. Somewhat. There are some inferior waxes out there that can really hurt if you’re not careful. The majority of waxes are made from beeswax and contain various ingredients that can soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Some are purposefully made “stronger” so that they remove tougher hairs such as in the bikini area. There’s also a difference between waxes that can be pulled off with a strip and ones that harden and then pulled off on its own. Beware of hard waxes. There are only five or six well made hard waxes on the market. They have their place and I personally do not believe in using them around the eye area. I’ve seen too many burns and skin lifting from inexperienced technicians that applied hard waxes while too hot. Some claim to use a “non-wax” product that is painless. Please be advised that any product that properly pulls hair from the root can and should cause some discomfort. Otherwise you are not receiving a good waxing service! Whether a product is made from beeswax, olive oil, soybeans, sugar or some other ingredient, if it is pulled off with a strip then it is considered “waxing”. The concept is the same and my advice is to find a wax and method that works with your skin type and comfort level. I utilize several high quality waxes along with before and after treatments. Also, ask about my Numb-It PFB Topical Anesthetic. It’s awesome!

Q. How long will my skin stay red? A. Depends on the person and the skin type. For most people it takes up to 1/2 hour. After waxing, do not tan or jump in chlorine for at least 24 hours. Avoid perfumes, scrubs, or other irritants the day of the waxing service. If you’re a bride or attending a special occasion, I recommend receiving waxing services a month before your special day to see how your skin reacts. If everything is fine, reschedule another wax a day or two before your event.

Q. Which is better, eyebrow powders or pencils? A. I prefer powders. If they are true eyebrow powders, the pigment will apply appropriately and be sustained though out the day without rubbing off. You can also adjust the pigment in the brow by combing with a spooley brush. If you have gray hair and want to cover them, there is the option of eyebrow tinting. This at times does not always work (grays tend to not accept color properly) and I recommend utilizing a brow pomade and/or brow mouse with powder to cover the gray hair. Pencils tend to look “drawn on” and not as natural if not applied properly. There are some pencils out there that work well. Contact me for recommendations. I also have plenty of powders, mousses, and gels, etc. on hand for purchase and would be glad to assist you in finding the right look.

Q. I have ingrown hairs. Help! A. Ingrown hairs are thin hairs that cannot push through the skin and the result is inflammation. Exfoliation is the best remedy and I have several products to help reduce and eliminate this problem. Check out: PFB Vanish, Tend Skin, Clear Complexion by Jack Black and other products I have on hand.

Q. Is waxing the best hair removal method? A. I think so. Waxing is considered safe for most skin types and less expensive than other forms of hair removal. Waxing takes less time and can be applied to any skin or hair color. The results are worth it!