Wax Questions You're Too Embarrassed To Ask
Hello Beautiful Soul,
Can you guess what the most popular services are at Orange Poppy?
Brows, Bikinis and Brazilians baby!
We do a lot of waxing (and sugaring) so the truth is, we've seen it all, we've heard it all and we've answered all sorts of questions. If you’re like most folks, meaning hair removal isn’t part of your daily job, then you may feel a little nervous or embarrassed; don’t worry, we've got you.
And please, do not apologize for your beautiful body. You know what they say, when you’ve seen one you’ve seen ‘em all. As licensed professionals, your service is all about safely and efficiently removing hair while minimizing discomfort, no matter where on your body, it's just skin and hair as far as we're concerned.
Here are the most common questions that you might just be too shy to ask.
Why do you recommend sugaring over other forms of hair removal specifically for Brazilians?
Dr. Jennifer Miller, OB-GYN has the following to say about shaving:
“From a gynecologist’s perspective, shaving regularly to eliminate pubic hair has drawbacks. Razors harbor bacteria and cause some abrasion of the skin; especially in a moist environment. This creates a setup for a bacterial skin infection. Many of the common “ingrown hairs,” skin rashes, infected hair follicles as well as more serious abscesses and skin infections in the genital region can be traced back to shaving. I prefer alternative hair removal strategies such as waxing.”
Well to start with, in my opinion, sugaring feels less painful than waxing. It’s also much easier to clean up and doesn’t leave behind any stickiness on the skin. Since, unlike waxing, hair is removed in the direction it grows, sugaring tends to be better at getting all of the hair and preventing breakage which is often what leads to ingrown hairs.
Sugaring is definitely preferred for sensitive skin since there is no heat involved which means it’s unlikely to lift skin and your skin is less likely to be angry or splotchy after your service. And as a bonus, it eliminates all of the sticks and strips the end of in the trash after a waxing service. - Bobbie, Licensed Cosmetologist
Click here if you'd like to learn more about sugaring versus waxing.
Will it hurt less if I shave some before?
It’s okay if you're nervous, just take a deep breath and please, whatever you do, put down your razor. Your hair needs to be ¼ – ½ of an inch long in order to achieve smooth results from waxing or sugaring. When your hairs are shorter than a quarter of an inch there is not enough for the product to adhere to which can lead to hair breaking instead of being removed from the root.
The flip side is that if your hair is longer than about ½ inch waxing or sugaring can certainly feel more painful. Many of our guests prefer to trim using a clipper with a guard prior to their appointment.
Pro Tips for Minimizing Discomfort from Brooke, Licensed Esthetician
Use a mild exfoliant (on the external parts) 24-hours prior to your appointment. If it's gentle enough for your face then it's good elsewhere. Dry brushes and scrubby gloves are also great options
Get on a regular schedule. Consistent hair removal weakens the hair and makes removal easier and easier.
If you're still worried you may want to consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever 30-45 minutes prior to your service.
What if I get my period and how long do I have to wait after to ...
You and your skin are likely the most sensitive during the time near or during your period, and therefore hair removal can seem more painful than normal. However you can still wax or sugar if you are on your period.
Although we know your partner will love your smooth new look as much you do, conventional wisdom says that you should wait at least 24 hours before you engage in any type of physical exercise .
However, our strict sanitation standards and gentle products allow you to keep your normal routines with no downtime. If desired, same day intercourse or exercise is fine if it's comfortable for you. - Brooke Lyn, Licensed Esthetician
Should I remove all of the hair down there; what is everybody else is doing?
First of all, it’s your body, so it’s your choice! Can I get an amen?
At Orange Poppy we offer 3 options: Bikini Line, Bikini Plus & Brazilian wax or sugar
Bikini Line is a super quick service just to remove the hair that might poke out the sides of swimsuit.
Our Bikini Plus service gives us a little more time for guests who may have hair that grows out to the side more. Or for those who want a little more taken off the side and top. Please note that no matter how much or little hair you want to remove or keep, anytime we are waxing the labia it is considered a Brazilian wax, not a bikini plus.
What's a Brazilian?
The Brazilian remains the most popular across the coutnry. Unlike the bikini wax, where hair is removed only from the top and sides of the bikini line, the full Brazilian wax removes hair from EVERYWHERE. That's the front, back, sides, and everything in between. Yep, that includes hair on the labia and between the buttocks too!
I always ask my clients, are we taking off everything today, what would you like? A lot of people do take it all off. Some people like to leave a triangle, or a small rectangle. I have clients vary from removing all hair, to keeping a strip, some only wax their labia, some leave a triangle of hair at the top, or maybe a rectangle and everywhere in between. - Gretchen, Licensed Esthetician
What should I do once my hair starts growing back?
After your first wax, the results can last 3 to 6 weeks depending on your individual hair. In most cases, hair growth is minimal during the first week or two and noticeably increases in the third and fourth week.
Heat stimulates hair growth, therefore hair grows quicker in the summer than in the winter. However, with regular sugaring or waxing the length of time between services will increase.
Aftercare is extremely important for anyone who gets waxed or sugared, especially in Colorado where it tends to be dry.
Regular, gentle exfoliation and topical hydration are key to keeping your skin smooth and free from bumps and ingrown hair. For a simple all-in-one solution we love Sweet Exfoliator Serum from Tamara's Sugar.
There’s no need to feel uncomfortable asking questions about what you should expect or how to follow up with care between your appointments. Our team of compassionate licensed professionals is here for you. - Nicole, Licensed Esthetician
While supplies last:
Receive a FREE Trial / Travel-Size Liquid Resurfacing Solution from HydroPeptide with any Bikini, Bikini Plus or Brazilian wax or sugar service.
This lightweight, leave-on exfoliant partners 2% salicylic acid and potent antioxidants with patented CellRenew-16 technology to visibly improve skin tone and texture without compromising your skin's moisture barrier. This product is great for the external (top) bikini area to help prevent ingrown hairs and make your next waxing or sugaring experience even easier.