Brazilian Waxing 411
When you hear the word "Brazilian," what do you think? I'm here to answer all of your questions on what a Brazilian Wax actually is and what your experience with me would be like if you came in for this service.
When you hear the word "Brazilian," what do you think? I'm here to answer all of your questions on what a Brazilian Wax actually is and what your experience with me would be like if you came in for this service.
What does Bikini, Brazilian, Manzilian, etc. mean?
Bikini Wax
Removing the hair outside of the bikini line, plus about 1/2 inch in. Just on the top and the sides. You will wear the cutest pair of disposable undies ever! (I don't think they actually make them cute... just saying!)
Deep Bikini Wax
Removing almost all of top hair and then on the sides and 1/2 inch in. Paper underwear included.
Brazilian
Female wax where hair is removed everywhere. Yes, even the backside or the Aussie as I like to call it. Some also choose to leave a strip or triangle, but it is all personal preference.
Manzilian
Same as the female brazilian only for a man. I do not perform these, but will give out referrals for those seeking this service.
Now you know the difference on the waxing options, here's what to expect when you walk through the doors.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
You will fill out a client intake form online that gives me a little history about you (skin care, tanning, general health, and medications) as well as a consent form to do the waxing. Tanning and other medications including antibiotics are a contraindication of performing this service. Please let me know if there is a change in medical information at the start of each appointment.
We'll walk back to the treatment room together. I have set out a sanitized waxing pad with 2 towels, wipes, and a neck pillow. While I step out of the room and push play on your favorite music, you will undress from the waist down, use a wipe to clean up if you wish, and put one towel underneath your bottom and one towel covering you on top.
From there, we get down to business. It's my job to keep you as comfortable as possible while removing your hair quickly and efficiently. That's what you are paying me for. I use a combination of soft and hard waxes of the highest professional quality to get the job done. I give you a minute to breathe if you need it, but most prefer to zip in and out and get on with their day. After each pull, I apply pressure to confuse the nerves (as they can only receive one type of information at a time - pressure confuses the nerve to thinking, "Am I feeling pain or pressure? I'm not sure.") After waxing, I'll put on a calming lotion, balm or serum to relieve the skin and cover you back up with the towel.
I step out while you get dressed and meet you outside of my treatment room and walk to the front with you. From there, we'll reschedule you for about 4 weeks and complete payment. Easy, peasy, pudding, pie as Georgie Porgie would say.
After care is pretty simple. Don't exfoliate for 2-3 days, but after that time, you'll want to exfoliate the area being waxed once or twice a week. (Remember what I always say - more is not always better... and this is just another example of that saying.) No tanning or hot tubbing for 48 hours. Be sensitive to the area for 24 hours. Use aloe if needed.
I ALWAYS recommend coming in twice in a row (so your first appointment and then wait 4 weeks) because the 2nd time is about 1/2 of the pain. Yes, this is true. So, come twice AND THEN decide if you want to keep the service up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it hurt?
Well, waxing (the removal of hair) doesn't feel great like a facial, but it doesn't hurt as long as you think it will either. By the time you are getting dressed, most of the pain is gone.
What's the most painful area to wax?
Are you holding on to your seats ladies and gentlemen? Here is the truth... the upper lip.
How long does my hair have to be to wax?
I recommend 1/4-1/2 inch long, which is generally 2-3 weeks after shaving. This will allow me to pick up the little hairs and get you smoother longer.
How long will I be hair free?
This one is tricky because with all treatments, every client is different and hair grows at different stages. Only the hair that is out of the skin can be waxed, so baby hairs just under the skin at wax time will poke through in a couple of days. The longer you come in, the longer you will remain smooth. The hair remaining will be softer and not as irritating as blunt, shaved hair.
How often should I come in?
The magic number for Brazilian is 4 weeks. This gives time for all of the hair to cycle through and will start teaching the hair that it doesn't have to show up until right before that time. As you continue to wax, the time might increase to 5 weeks or even 6 weeks.
What are the advantages from waxing over shaving?
Waxing will last longer, fewer ingrowns, and is done much quicker. If you are irritated by shaving, chances are waxing will be much easier on you as well.
Can I be waxed when I am on my cycle?
The answer is yes, but it can be just a little more painful. Make sure that you are wearing a cup or a fresh tampon and we'll take care of the hair just like your regular appointments.
Have a question that hasn't been asked? Send me an email and I'll gladly answer you privately and make sure to add the question and answer for others to find this helpful information. Now that you know what to expect, what's holding you back? Let's schedule your appointment!
Don't forget to Breathe. Let Go. Relax.
Zoey Jolley, Licensed Esthetician
How Often Should I...? Part II Treatments
While home skin care should always be number 1 over coming to see a professional, treatments done with your Esthetician can be very effective and boost what you are doing on your own. If you were to hold up a mirror and look back at the image that you see, what would you change? Some of us would like to work on fine lines and wrinkles, some acne scarring would be gone first, and others really would like to see the age spots disappear like a magic trick
While home skin care should always be number 1 over coming to see a professional, treatments done with your Esthetician can be very effective and boost what you are doing on your own. If you were to hold up a mirror and look back at the image that you see, what would you change? Some of us would like to work on fine lines and wrinkles, some acne scarring would be gone first, and others really would like to see the age spots disappear like a magic trick. Whatever you would like to work on, make sure that you team up with a professional so that we can get the job done together!
When working with me, the first things that we address are hydration of the skin and sensitivity. It doesn't make sense to start on the 2nd level of the house, when the ground floor issues are hydration and sensitivity. Starting there, once these have corrected as best we can (usually 1-2 months), we can move on. We could then work on the above issues of anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, and acne (active or old scarring.)
I offer many tools to get the job done and depending on how your skin responds to the treatments, your open time to spend with me, and your budget, we put together a plan of "How often you should see your esthetician." In general, once a month for maintenance is amazing. If this is not possible, it is VITAL that you come in every quarter for a deep cleanse, exfoliation, and nourishment of the skin as the seasons change. Yes, it's Idaho and we have 4 seasons! So about every 3 months. Microneedling, Specialty Facials, and Chemical Peels excel in a series treatment. They are designed to build upon each other! But the more regularly you come, the greater the results you will see down the road as your skin begins to age.
Currently, I offer the following treatments to address your concerns: Microneedling, Microdermabrasion, Signature Facials (both in 90 or 60 minutes), Specialty Facials (Algomask and Hydrolifting), Chemical Peels, and Dermaplaning. All of these have value and most of the time, mixing and matching is ideal as you want to keep your skin guessing and using all of the great options to help your skin heal, glow, and revitalize to it's optimal blueprint.
I love making custom plans, so please contact me and we'll come up with something that will work well for you, your skin, and your skin care goals.
You'll spend $XXX on a purse you'll use for 2 years. How much will you spend on your face that you will have for a lifetime? $XXX It's worth your investment!
Don’t forget to Breathe . Let Go . Relax .
Zoey Jolley, Licensed Esthetician
How Often Should I ...? Part I Home Care
One of the questions I get asked the most is often often clients should be using certain products and when to come back to see me for another treatment. Skin care is very important at home because 90% of changes that can be made to the skin or preventives done to the skin are done at home. So it makes sense to start with home care.
One of the questions I get asked the most is often often clients should be using certain products and when to come back to see me for another treatment.
Skin care is very important at home because 90% of changes that can be made to the skin or preventives done to the skin are done at home. So it makes sense to start with home care. Just like when you hire a personal trainer, and Esthetician will meet with you and "work out" your skin in the treatment room every so often. But it's up to you, the client to do the homework in between our sessions.
Your homework should include at a minimum 4 steps. These steps are cleansing the skin, using appropriate treating mist, apply moisturizer (yes - even oily skin needs moisturizer) and finally using SPF. This is also the order that I suggest clients add in products as well. So, if you aren't using anything now, start with cleanser and go from there. (If you'd like a summary, scroll down to the bottom and then refer up when in question and needing more specifics.)
So, let's break down How Often Should I...
How Often Should I Cleanse the Skin?
The answer here is different for everyone, but at least morning and night. So twice a day. If you are a heavy makeup wearer OR have very oily/acenic prone skin, the answer will be up to four times a day. Twice in the morning and twice at night. I like to use two different cleansers for these clients. So product one would be the first cleanse. And product two would be the second cleanse for both morning and night cleanses.
How Often Should I Mist the Skin?
The short answer: use a treating mist or toner immediately after cleansing the skin. Which would be twice a day. (Don't mist in between cleanses if you are cleansing twice in a row.)
Using a treating mist or toner is great to help balance the skin and lay a perfect foundation for more anti-aging products afterwards. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, you have stripped off the natural acid mantle (the barrier for the skin protecting it so that other organisms, etc. cannot enter our shield). The skin then goes into hyperdrive to produce more oil (which serves as a protectant). Repeatedly doing this causes much harm to your defensive layer. An astringent (super tingly product with alcohol) is NOT a toner or mist. Stay away from these products.
How Often Should I Moisturize the Skin?
Differing beliefs on this are across the board, but my personal opinion remains that adding moisture, especially in our dry climate is good and reduces excess oil production. It is important to work with your skin trainer (aka Esthetician) to find the right moisturizer for your skin. Also, some clients prefer to have a daytime (lighter) moisturizer and a night time cream that is heavier weight and/or with more anti-aging benefits. Twice a day after you mist, you will moisturize.
How Often Should I Reapply SPF?
Every SPF is different, but my generic response is every 2 hours when going outside. I hear all the time that your makeup has SPF... which is awesome, but it DOES NOT REPLACE applying SPF every morning and before leaving work with another product besides your makeup. For SPF to be most beneficial, you need to reapply throughout the day. When wearing makeup, you can reapply by adding setting spray with SPF as well. By and large, look for ways to be compliant with this step instead of finding excuses of why you can't!
My favorite analogy for sun protection is a new vehicle. You wouldn't drive off the car lot without having car insurance. SPF IS your car insurance. Have it, use it, and don't leave home without it!
Those are your 4 minimum steps. Want to step up your game at the gym? Here are a couple of ideas and general suggestions.
How Often Should I Apply Eye Cream? Twice a day
How Often Should I Exfoliate? This depends highly on what type of exfoliant. Consult your skin trainer, but most often I suggest one to two times per week.
How Often Should I Mask My Skin? Once a week
You don't need good luck in your bathroom. Consistency is key and where you will see long term results. Starting at a healthier skin type means that you will focus more on prevention (which is always easier than reversing the skin damage that happens over time.) You can do this! Make sure to consult your Esthetician for exactly what YOUR skin needs, as we are all different.
SUMMARY: (Refer to longer paragraphs for more information)
How Often Should I Cleanse the Skin? Twice a day for normal/dry skin; Twice morning and twice night for oily/acenic skin
How Often Should I Mist the Skin? Twice a day
How Often Should I Moisturize the Skin? Twice a day
How Often Should I Reapply SPF? Every 2 hours or what's recommended on you tube of sunscreen
How Often Should I Apply Eye Cream? Twice a day
How Often Should I Exfoliate? Once a week
How Often Should I Mask My Skin? Once a week
Stay tuned for Part II of How Often Should I?
Don’t forget to Breathe . Let Go . Relax .
Zoey Jolley, Licensed Esthetician