THE 411 LOW DOWN
let's get some facts straight.
WHAT IF I'M NOT FEMALE OR MALE OR....?
and what if you're not...? i sugar according to the anatomical body parts. you either have an innie (vagina) or an outie (penis). if you have a combination of the two, or something else, challenge accepted. genital waxing is all genders. new clients: mention if you are an innie or an outie in the notes.
DOES IT HURT?
yes, yes, yes.
sometimes, the follicles will bleed as well. those who have thicker, coarser hair, or those who are just prone to bleeding. some people will bruise easily. more hair = more pain. dense, thick hair = more pain. it is just the nature of the procedure. we are yanking out hair so your body will be angry at you.
WHAT IF I'M BAKING BUNS IN THE OVEN?
pregnant women's got hair too. most likely a lot more hair. just to warn you though, everything is heightened when you are pregnant so be prepared to be more sensitive, mama bear.
if you are baking for >5mos, & are a virgin waxer, or haven't been waxed in >6mos, i highly recommend a patch test prior to scheduling an appt, and also check w/ your dr.
WHAT SUGAR OR THREAD DO YOU USE?
i use a sugar paste around the globe: netherlands, canada and the usa.
sugar contains only 3 ingredients: sugar, water, lemon juice. it's so simple and natural, you can eat it, technically.
i use typical sewing thread. it's a combination of cotton and polyester.
DOES THE HAIR GROW BACK THICKER, COARSER OR FASTER?
did it ever grow back more coarse or faster when you over-tweezed those brows way back when? (though some of us wish that)
hair cycle contains 3 phases. this varies between individuals. that is why it takes at least 3 visits (sometimes more) for all the hairs to be in sync, and why it's important to return every 4wks.
no, it grows back finer and there will be less. it may seem like it grows faster because you are not used to seeing it baby smooth and due to the hairs reaching different phases.
CAN I GO EXERCISE, HOT-TUBING, TANNING, SUNBATHING, SCRUBBING, OR TAKE A NOONER AFTERWARDS?
who am i to say no? we are rebellious creatures anyway. although, you have been forewarned. the area will be inflamed, red, irritated. the pores are more susceptible to germs.
it's best to wait 48 hours to do anything that is going to be sweaty and causing friction, sweat, heat, in that area.
it's not going to feel that great anyway, but whatever floats your freshly polished boat.
home care is 80% of good results. so, just know that if you don't do your homework, don't come back whining to me when your skin is all jacked up.
HOW COME THERE IS STILL HAIR AFTER THE INITIAL SUGAR?
the initial sugar sets the foundation for long term sugaring. the goal of sugaring is to weaken the follicles over time, so that eventually, it will stop producing hair. this takes time...
it can take up to 3-4 visits for hair to grow on the same cycle, longer if you've been a shaver. hair grows in various phases so they do not always match up the first sugar. patience grasshopper.
there is no "perfect" sugar, instead we strive for an "ideal" sugar, which depends on several variables. have you shaved prior? how long ago? how well did you hair take the sugar? is your skin in good condition? is it irritated, dry, ashy, flaky? do you have any skin conditions? are your hormones acting up? what is your hair type? and so forth.
we want to get it as much hair as possible, but you also have to understand that hair grows on skin. when we sugar the hair, we are also dealing with skin. and the skin is our protective barrier, which should not be compromised. this is why it's important to make sure the skin is at optimal condition to be sugared. so do the homework. otherwise, it's pointless.
HOW IS SUGAR DIFFERENT THAN WAX?
consists of only 3 ingredients, therefore less probability of allergies.
it is never heated to a hot wax, melting temperature. the hottest it will reach is the person's body temperature. thus, there is never a risk of burning.
is antibacterial due to the high amounts of sucrose. it has been used as an antiseptic historically to prevent microbial activity.
wax shrink wraps the hair and "yanks" it out, while sugar seeps into the hair follicle, to lubricate it, "guiding" it out. hence, the regrowth is much finer.
there is less risk of hair breakage because sugar removes with the direction of hair growth, meanning pain is also slighly reduced.
is eco-friendly with minimal supplies to perform. easy to clean, it dissolves with water and composts naturally.
can remove hair as short as 1/16 of an inch. no need to wait long!
CAN I COME IN AFTER TANNING, OR WORKOUT, OR ON MY PERIOD?
tanning appointment, definitely no. the skin has just been exposed to uv light and will not be suitable for sugaring. you need to wait min. 48hrs, sometimes longer depending on your skin condition.
workout, yes, though it's not ideal because the skin will be sweaty. i would try to shower prior to coming in, at least a rinse to get the sweat off.
menstrual cycle, yes. just have a plug in it of some sort, so you're not painting my bed red. you will be more sensitive.
CAN I BRING A 4 LEGGED BUDDY, FRIEND, PARTNER, OR MUNCHKINS?
why would your children want to be here anyway? they have better things to do. the answer is no. the studio is ill equipped to watch your offspring. 4 legged people are not allowed due to state board regulations. they also have better things to do.
your friend may provide emotional support in the waiting area while you are being "tortured", as some have described. as for your "partner", in a perfect world, but we don't live in one.
WHAT IS A BIKINI VS BRAZILIAN SUGAR?
the bikini is much more conservative than a brazilian. think of when you wear a bikini, where the line sits. only about 2 inches into that line is where the hair is removed, so all the hair outside of that line is gone, but everything the bikini is covering, is not.
brazilian, takes everything off. top, labia, crack. you may customize it to the following "designs". you can leave on the top: a dorito chip, patch, or strip. no fancy shapes or patterns. i'm no artist. we can leave the labia and crack untouched if you desire.
i only have these 2 options. again, simplicity & no fluff. I don't have an in between service (sometimes it's referred to as the thong wax, the extended bikini, the french, etc). because honestly, you either want a swim suit ready wax, or the full shebang. like seriously. what good does an in between sugar do? go big or go home.
WHAT IF I CAN'T GO ALL THE WAY/FEEL NERVOUS DURING THE SERVICE?
i am not going to force anyone to go through a service they are not comfortable with so, we will just end it where your comfort level is. but, you will have to get naked and...once the sugar is on, there's no turning back!
PS:
if I, ME, feel uncomfortable during the service, you're OUT. on a related note, if i feel your skin is in an un-sugarable state, i will not go over that area, even if you tell me it's ok. no. ain't worth it.
sometimes in life, you just can't get it right the first time. i know from my own life experiences (tell. me. about. it.)
i'd like to start off people with the bikini and move their way up. that way, clients won't end up with half a bush. if it's totally unbearable, we will reschedule.
truthfully, it's not terrible. if you have given birth before, this is cake. tattoo? pie. none of the above? then this will do. there are way more painful things in life than sugar.
WHEN IS IT TOO LONG? SHOULD I SHAVE PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT?
if it's been >3mos, or you can braid the hair, tie it up in a ponytail, flat iron it, turn it into a perm, etc. that should give you an answer.
ideally, you want to come every 3-4 weeks. that is how long a complete hair growth cycle lasts. the hair should be at least 1/8in long (grain of rice) for the best results. i highly suggest trimming the hairs in the aforementioned scenarios, prior to coming in.
i do not trim, tweeze, clip, cut, shave, or groom. no exceptions. don't ask. no and no.
do not shave prior to your appt. that would defeat the purpose of the appt. you must wait 3 weeks after shaving for sufficient length to be sugared. ditch the razor.
WHAT IF I'M "EXCITED"?
this is a very common question for a trip to brazil (genital hair removal) my answer to that is...
'what would dory do?'
just keep waxing!!
it's a natural body function, so let's all be adults here and keep it professional please. i'm not going to take it personally, and neither should you, really. i've been around lots of penises, they aren't handsome looking fellas.
i suggest you think of something that repulsively disgusts you. furthermore, if you're looking for a reaction from me, hit the road, toad. also applies to vagina toads. yeah.
WHY DO I HAVE TO FILL OUT ALL THESE FORMS?
it's like going to the doctors, or your massage therapist, or your naturopath, etc. there's a misconception that "beauty" services don't need all that information. the body goes through myriads of chemical reactions. we want to reduce the risk of any adverse reactions. for the safety or you and i, please fill out the forms. they are required before your appt.
also: state rule. (9) A practitioner is prohibited from providing services to a client who refuses to provide the personal information required in subsection (1)(a) of this rule unless the client signs a waiver form documenting the client's refusal to provide the required information. The signed waiver form must be retained on file in the manner required in subsection (2) of this rule.
WHAT IS YOUR SANITATION PROCESS?
gloves are worn and replaced every single client, even on brows. clients are to hand sanitize before holding their skin, and again after the service. because this ain't a factory assembly line, there is time allowed between each client for proper cleaning.
i use an epa approved disinfectant on surfaces and implements. new implements are used on every client. they are cleaned and sanitized at the end of the day. there is no double dipping with sugar.
bed is wiped down after every client. products and surfaces that came into contact with clients are wiped. there is no sharing of cooties around this neck of the woods, and definitely no spreading. this means you. you got the ills? shoo. i will return the favor also, of course.