TresSugar

How Young Is Too Young to Get Waxed?

DearSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I'm all for the Brazilian Bikini wax, but according to a recent article on MSNBC, mothers are taking their young girls as young as 8 years old into salons to get waxed. I'm sure most of you are in shock reading this, just as I am writing it, but according to Melanie Engle, a Philadelphia aesthetician, “For waxing, 12 years old is the ‘new normal.’"

As we all know, everyone develops at different ages, but even if you get your period or develop hair early, this is still a disturbing trend. Dr. Doris Pastor, a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, feels, “the waxing itself is not an issue; the bigger issue is whether they are encouraged to engage in risky behaviors.”

While girls sure don't want to be teased if they develop earlier than their friends, Dr. Pastor has a great point. So how young is too young to get waxed?

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Hair Down There? Don't Despair!

GiggleSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

We're living in an age that seems frightened - nay, terrified - of crotch hair, or, to put it more delicately, hair on the "bikini area." In the '70s, hairy everything was the rage and now? Nothin'. Even dudes wax their brows! Well, this hilarious parody of Japanese-style commercials, complete with B-movie scare tactics and awesome sound effects, turns that fear of hair down there into a commercial that could be a horror flick. (I wish our ads were this good! And FYI, I don't think that's really Japanese being spoken, but I could be wrong.)

Dear Poll: Do You Groom Down There When You're Single?

DearSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Women take bikini waxing very seriously. Even if there's just one hair that shouldn't be there, we somehow manage to find it, especially during bikini season or when we have a boyfriend. But what about when you're single? Sure, some women are just as neurotic when they're unattached, but others use their single status as an excuse to skip out on tending to their bikini lines altogether. So where do you fall? Do you still groom down there when you're single?

Do Tell: How Do You Feel About Men Who Manscape?

DearSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 07:00:00 -0800

Women spend a lot of time and money taking care of their hair down there. We trim, shave, endure the agony of Brazilian bikini waxes, do electrolysis, even undergo laser hair removal.

It takes a lot of dedication to have a well maintained bikini area, so do you think guys should do the same? Do tell me, where do you stand on guys who manscape?

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The How-To Lounge: All About the Brazilian Wax, Part 2

DearSugar — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 06:01:00 -0700

Now that you know how to prep for your Brazilian, here's everything you need to know for game time.

If you're embarrassed about being pretty much naked in front of an aesthetician, try to remember she's a professional who sees many naked ladies all day long. It's personal and private to you, but it really is just work for her
Be sure your waxer does not double-dip the wax stick. They should use a new stick with every application of wax
You need a quarter inch of hair growth for a good wax, so it's best to wait 3 to 5 weeks between waxes, depending on your growth rate. Use your best judgement, but there does need to be enough hair for the wax to grab

Click here to read more

Brazilian waxes can be painful, especially the first few times, so I recommend taking an anti-inflammatory (like Advil) an hour before your appointment. As with your eyebrows and lip, the process is fast and the pain is fleeting. Frequent visits will cut down on the pain factor, but I won't lie to you: the first time hurts
If your skin appears a little red and swollen after your wax, don't be alarmed. Removing the hair at the root can 'shock' the area; however, after a few hours, the redness goes away
After she's finished, your waxer should give you a cream to apply immediately, which will help soothe the skin. Definitely use it!
Be prepared for the bill: Brazilians can cost up to fifty dollars, depending on where you live and where you go. Don't forget to add a gratuity; a good waxer definitely deserves it

I hope I've eliminated some of the anxiety and the mystery around the Brazilian. Thanks to everyone for the comments on Part 1; it's really helpful to have as many points of view as possible!

The How-To Lounge: All About the Brazilian Wax

DearSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 06:31:00 -0700

Many of our readers wonder out loud about the Brazilian bikini wax, so let's cover this subject thoroughly in a two-part series. The Brazilian wax has seen a lot of American converts in the past few years, but many women still don't know all the details and remain a little shy about asking the proper questions.

Click here to read more

Many different styles of Brazilian exist, so you need to be very clear with your waxer about what exactly you're getting. One style includes removing every bit of pubic hair from the top, the bottom, and everywhere in between, while another leaves a "landing strip" or a small triangle of pubic hair. There's the "Mommy Brazilian", which entails leaving your frontal pubic hair natural but removing everything from the bottom and between. Then there's the straight Brazilian, which simply involves getting a nice wax around your bikini line.

It's uncomfortable; there's no way around it. Every one's threshold for pain is different, however. From all accounts it's about a million times less painful than electrolysis. I'd say, if asked, that it's more painful than eyebrow waxing but less painful than a lip wax, but I really can barely stand having a lip wax. Hopefully, I can tell you everything you ever wanted to know but were too afraid to ask. Let's begin.

The cardinal rule for any kind of wax is knowing where you are in your cycle. There's nothing more painful than waxing right before or right after your period; your skin is extra sensitive, which increases the pain and might increase the likelihood of major irritation and bumps. Just don't do it
Before your appointment, exfoliate all the areas you plan to have waxed. I recommend buying Tend Skin to use between waxes as another preventative measure against ingrown hairs
Brazilian waxes are not for everyone, so if you're not ready to be bare down there, take it slow and start off with the "mommy Brazilian". There's nothing wrong with keeping things a little natural and comfortable. Pace yourself
Most women I know absolutely do not regret removing all the 'bits and pieces' from between and behind, and that's usually the part most beginners are nervous about exposing and waxing. It doesn't hurt like you think, and everyone seems to prefer how fresh they feel afterward
In order for your waxer to remove all the hair, they'll ask you to get in some very 'compromising' positions, so make sure you find someone you like. Ask your friends for recommendations. I bet your hairdresser knows someone really good and really professional, too
If you're uncomfortable being completely naked during your wax, you'll have the option of wearing a disposable paper thong, which you'll be asked to hold taut during the waxing. Once you get to know your waxer, none of this will feel quite so awkward

That's the first installment, ladies. Come back tomorrow to read the rest of our Brazilian wax basics!
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Bikini Waxing Reaction Shots

GiggleSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:30:00 -0800

Oh, the things women will do for "beauty." The Brazilian Bikini wax, made mainstream by Sex and the City, may be the most painful non-surgical procedure outside of childbirth that women unnecessarily put themselves through. This video, much like a horror film, leads up to the moment the waxer pulls the wax off, and then shows each woman's (and one guy's) expression of pain. Enjoy!

Brazilian Bikini Waxes: Why Do We Do This Again?

GiggleSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Watching this compilation of women's faces as they get the wax strips ripped off their lady parts is much like watching a horror film. You know, when women are wandering around in the dark, as the psycho is right behind them with a machete? You want to say, "Don't do it!" but all you can do is watch. I love how one of the waxers says, "This will be absolutely painless." Ha! Riiight.

Is There An Age Limit For Bikini Waxing?

DearSugar — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 09:58:23 -0700

Dear Sugar
During gym time in the locker room, I've overheard that some of the girls in my grade are getting bikini waxes.

I've always thought there was some kind of age limit to get this done. Is there any possible way that I can get one without my mother finding out? Landing Strip Layla

Dear Landing Strip Layla
I've checked some renown salons and no - there is no age limit for getting bikini waxes. However, what kind are we taking here? Sides, and little off the top - or full on bare brazilian?

Hear me out because the DearSugar in me feels the need to be a tad overprotective.
If you are in middle school, I wouldn't suggest waxing. You are still going through puberty and I think that area should be left Au Natural for the time being.

However, if you are in high school I think that "Nairing" or shaving the sides (so there's nothing visible in underwear or a bathing suit) is the way to go.

By the time you are a senior I think you've pretty much fully developed. I understand why you would want to get it done - besides the pain of it feeling like you are plucking your nose hairs out one by one it looks great.

Just wait till you are at an appropriate age for it. Don't mess with mother nature until she's finished messing with you!

Ingrowns Are A B*tch

DearSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0800

Dear Sugar
Being a woman sometimes is a total bummer. All of the waxing, plucking, and tweezing, oh my! I feel like a dog who goes for various weekly grooming appointments. I have a horrible time shaving my bikini line because of razor burn and all of my painful and not to mention ugly ingrown hairs.

I went the waxing route a few times which was not as painful as I had expected, but how do you maintain a smooth bikini line between waxes? It seems pretty weird that you have to let it full grow out for so many weeks. I am going to be in a bathing suit this January and was wondering if you had any tips for me. Razor Burn Brooke

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Razor Burn Brooke
Maintaining a perfect bikini line is no small feat. Different methods work for different women so trial and error might be in store for you. Many women suffer from sensitive skin and ingrown hairs. Shaving is sometimes the worst culprit of those nasty ingrowns, but making sure you exfoliate the area will lower the chances of trapping hair under the skin.

Tend Skin is a fantastic product that works wonders soothing the skin after any type of hair removal. Waxing can sometimes wreak havoc on the area as well. If you have coarse hair, ingrowns can be worse when taking the hair out from the root. Sticking with one method is a must so keep away from the razor in between waxes.

Schedule your appointments every three weeks and with time, your hair will grow back thinner and thinner. I am also a big fan of Laser Hair Removal / Electrolysis. Although it is a bit more pricey, you will never suffer from ingrowns again. The whole process takes about seven to nine months, a treatment every six weeks, and you will be hair free forever. Good luck finding your perfect hair removal method!