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Dare To Go Bare Down There: Get A Brazilian Wax

Waxing Specialists Alicja Chomczyk and Krystyna Moblinska, Licensed Estheticians and Owners Escape Spa

The waxing of the genital area has been practiced in many cultures around the world for centuries based on religious, hygienic, cosmetic or sensual reasons. If you decide the hair down there requires hired maintenance, only a professional wax service will do. Licensed estheticians and Polish immigrants Alicja Chomczyk and Krystyna Moblinska are the owners of Escape Spa in midtown Manhattan and have more than 10 years experience.

Alicja has been the waxer for Bernie, CEO COCOACHiC Beauty for more than three years and performed her Escape Brazilian waxes for the last year.

CHiC: What are the options for waxing genital hair?

Escape Spa: At Escape Spa, we offer 3 types of waxing services: Bikini, Brazilian and Escape Brazilian. A bikini wax removes hair from the panty lines/sides. A Brazilian wax is the removal of pubic hair from the vagina and anus leaving a small line of hair, the "landing strip", above the vulva. The Escape Brazilian takes all hair off.

CHiC: Is Brazilian waxing painful? How should someone prepare to receive service? What can be done to ease the pain?

Escape Spa: Tolerance depends on the client and how long they have been receiving waxes because for many it hurts less over time. Bernie, you listen to your iPod and are my only client that does that. Take painkillers like Aspirin one hour before. It's good to try a Bikini wax first. Hair has to be a certain length, at least a quarter inch for the wax to grab unto. Don't wait too long for repeat service as the hair grows out although the hair can always be trimmed to prepare for waxing. Never have service before your period; women are least sensitive a week after their period. Also, don't exfoliate more than 2 days before or right after or apply oil/lotion on the area being waxed before service. You should not go into the sun right after a waxing service.

CHiC: What are the benefits of waxing hair removal?

Escape Spa: Skin feels softer and is less irritated after waxing. The hair grows back less and slower, approximately 3 – 5 weeks, lasting up to 2 months depending on the person's hair growth pattern. Over time, hair growth slows because the follicles are being killed. Waxing also removes dead skin cells lying on the skin surface leaving skin smoother.

CHiC: Are there different types of waxing formulas by skin type? How does someone select?

Escape Spa: We have two kinds of wax, regular, the traditional honey, that is a mixture of natural beeswax and oil, and sensitive. Sensitive for sensitive skin is a mixture that includes less irritating ingredients such as Vitamin E and Menthol. Most people choose sensitive for eyebrow and Bikini wax. Sensitive wax typically costs more, at Escape Spa its a few more dollars.

CHiC: Is a Brazilian wax expensive?

Escape Spa: A Brazilian wax can cost up to $100. The average is $50. At Escape Spa, we charge by wax formula.

Waxing	Regular	Sensitive
Bikini (panty lines)	$18	$28
Brazilian (all off except landing strip)	$40	$50
Escape Brazilian (all off)	$50	$60

CHiC: Bottom line, is waxing the genital area safe and hygienic?

Escape Spa: Yes! Waxing inspires a more clean feeling, no worries about perspiration on the pubic hair, and less ingrown hairs. Also, the wax is always warm when applied and there is no water to carry bacteria. It is important to have a licensed esthetician perform the waxing. They should never double dip into the wax and change spatulas. Their supplies should be sanitized and a fresh bed covering for each client.

CHiC: Does Escape Spa use any specific techniques?

Escape Spa: A professional good at waxing strips fast and clean. The best method is to minimize repeat applications in the same area. A Brazilian wax should take 15 – 30 minutes moving from front to back. Taking too long causes the client discomfort.

CHiC: Does waxing affect darker skin tones differently? Does it cause dark spots?

Escape Spa: No. Waxing will cause less skin irritations such as bumps, redness and ingrown hairs, which can lead to skin marks. Waxing improves the appearance of skin because it exfoliates by removing dead layers of skin.

CHiC: What remedies do you recommend for those who still have slight skin reactions?

Escape Spa: After a wax service, we apply a soothing lotion with aloe and calamine to the areas. At home, clients can use Tend Skin or PFB Vanish.

CHiC: What other parts of the body are safe to wax?

Escape Spa: Anywhere — face, eyes, underarms, arms, legs, back, the whole body, even toes.

What To Expect

• Get referrals for a professional from clients that have had waxing services performed.
• Find out professional's experience, i.e. how many times performed waxing service, and if licensed.
• Trust they have seen it all, the exposure is similar to a gynecological office visit.
• Disrobe – bring with you or ask for a paper G-string if modesty is a concern.
• Trim pubic hair prior or be prepared for it to be trimmed.
• Oil/powder will be applied liberally to prep the areas to be waxed – this prevents stickiness.
• Wax will be spread with a spatula and allowed a few moments to harden.
• Cloth strips will be pressed firmly to skin for wax/hair/dead skin cells to adhere together then quickly pulled away in the opposition direction of hair growth from the root.
• Brazilian wax will start from front to back requiring odd leg positions.
• Stray hairs that the wax missed will be plucked with tweezers.
• A soothing lotion will be applied to reduce any irritation.
• If you are comfortable with the waxer, ask their name for future appointments.

~Bernie

Make an appointment for a waxing or other spa service at 212-239-5220. Check out the Escape Spa website in the Spas category of CHiC Links.

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