I try to visit Waxing the City whenever I can, but because I don’t live in Denver I have to schedule appointments when I visit. For those times that I have to go elsewhere, I find that when I have a Brazilian, some of the hair seems to be broken at the skin as opposed to being pulled out. What is the cause and how can this be prevented? When it comes to waxing, I wish I lived in Denver.

Thanks for supporting Waxing the City even though you live in another state. I hope that these tips will help you in your search for great waxing!

What you’re talking about is stubble. There are many variables when it comes to stubble after waxing, here are a few that I feel are the most common causes:

Time
Are you waiting the appropriate time in between your waxes?

Typically, it’s best to wait 4-5 weeks between waxes, depending on your growth. This is a good amount of time for all the hair to grow in and grow in evenly. If you don’t wait long enough some hairs will grow in but others will still be at the surface of the skin.

If you shaved before your wax then you must wait 2-3 weeks after your last shave. The hairs need to be long enough for the wax to adhere to the hair and pull it from the root. If you shaved, be patient with your first couple waxes, it takes a few before the hair starts to grow in finer.

When the hair is finer it pulls from the root easier. When the hair is coarse it tends to break at the surface instead of pulling out. This is when you may feel stubble.

Wax
Are they using a hard wax or a soft wax (the one with strips)?

Waxing the City prefers to use a hard wax, which is commonly called blue wax because of its color, for all bikini services. The hair on the bikini area grows in all different directions and the wax needs to be applied in small controlled areas. Hard wax is ideal for those hard to reach areas because it is gentler to the skin. Hard wax goes on the skin warm and then cools and hardens acting like saran wrap to the hair. As it hardens it lifts itself from the skin making the pull less painful.

Soft wax is used for speed waxing on large areas like legs, backs and arms, where the hair primarily grows in one direction. The soft wax is applied in one large piece and then removed with the strips. The cerologists at Waxing the City don't believe that the bikini area is an area to "speed wax." This technique can cause hairs to break.

Cerologist (AKA esthetician)

One of the things that sets Waxing the City apart is that we do one thing and do it to the highest degree of excellence.

So, if you are unable to visit one of our studios, you are going to a spa or a salon that does not only waxing, but also hair, manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, etc. And, the person you are seeing is an esthetician not a trained cerologist.

Nothing wrong with that, but here are some things to consider:

We think it’s always a good idea to ask around and find an esthetician that has more experience with hard wax and body waxing. A lot of spas specialize in facials/body treatments, which doesn't allow the technician to have much experience with waxing.

Try to find someone who enjoys waxing or a salon that has someone on staff who specializes in waxing. This will change your whole experience. Look for someone who is trained and who can help remedy any problems you might be having and who will work with you to get you on a good waxing schedule. Get to know someone and their technique so your services can stay consistent.

Good luck and happy waxing!

Alex
Waxing the City- Dallas

I am prone to ingrown hairs and have almost decided to stop bikini waxing as I've tried all kinds of things, including taking an oral antibiotic. Any suggestions? 

At Waxing the City we understand your frustration and hope we can resolve the problem for you.

Let’s start with a little Psuedofolliculitis Barbae 101.

Psuedofolliculitis Barbae is another way of saying ingrown hairs, but who can remember that?!! Put simply, ingrowns are hairs that curve back into the follicle or that get trapped under the skin, causing swollen, red bumps -- and sometimes, if left unattended, even infection. They are painful and unsightly. People that have dark, coarse or curly hair are usually the most prone to ingrown hairs.

A common area one will find ingrown hairs is around the bikini line. They are most often caused by shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams.

You mentioned that you have tried several things and it sounds like you have even visited your doctor to get an oral medication. But, before you give up on waxing entirely, I'm going to give you the same advice that I give to all of my clients in hopes that it may help you:

First, exfoliation is key. Exfoliation removes the dead skin that may be trapping the ingrown hair. It can also loosen ingrown hairs. I recommend using a water-soluble scrub like a sugar scrub or a jojoba scrub, which are less abrasive than an apricot scrub.  

You can also use a loofah glove. Be sure to use light pressure so you don't irritate the skin around the ingrown hairs. Do this three to four times a week. If you are doing this already and still don't notice a difference, try a product specifically made for ingrowns. My favorite is Tend Skin (a great product we carry).



It is important to use this product regularly (everyday to every other day) to get results. Tend Skin contains salicylic acid which takes the exfoliation step one step further. It also helps the ingrowns from getting infected.

My second piece of advice is this: infection can occur if the condition is left unattended and the area is exposed to bacteria. Another cause of ingrown hairs and infection is tight clothing. This is common amongst athletes who, for instance, cycle and are in tight-fitting biking shorts for long periods of time. If you think clothing may be the culprit, try wearing clothes that whisk sweat away from the body and remove clothing immediately after working out.  

Finally do some research on the type of wax your salon uses. No big surprise, the skin around the bikini area is extremely sensitive. If your salon uses soft wax that might be part of the problem. At WTC we use hard wax on the bikini line for just this reason. Hard wax, which is commonly called blue wax because of its color, is a stripless wax. Hard wax is gentler to the skin in sensitive areas, such as the face or bikini area. Hard wax goes on the skin warm and then cools and hardens acting like saran wrap to the hair. As it hardens it lifts itself from the skin making the pull less painful.

I think it is important to know, too, that waxing isn't for everyone. If you think that this is a chronic condition and waxing may be part of the problem, then permanent hair removal is always an option.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Summer
WTC-Denver

I’ve noticed that on the WTC website it mentions that cerologists have to go through Waxing University...what is this exactly? Furthermore, if people go to cosmetology school and want to work for WTC do they still need to go to Waxing U? 

At Waxing the City we are dedicated to doing one thing and doing it well, waxing. Therefore in November of 2008 we opened Waxing University, a state of the art educational and training facility.

The first of it's kind, Waxing University was built to support overall company philosophies of "hiring the best and training them to be better" and to provide a learning environment for all employees.

Upon hiring, employees participate in Professional Growth Plans that include mandatory and optional training classes for each specific job classification. Employees complete a stringent training program and are required to meet a set of defined minimal waxing and front desk standards. On-going education is integrated into overall learning environment and company "employer of choice" strategies.

If you have a passion for waxing check us out at www.waxingthecity.com and fill out an application to join our team! Maybe we’ll see you in class!

Summer
Waxing the City-Denver