Beauty Solutions: DIY Waxing Kit

To shave or not to shave? That is almost always the question when it comes to dealing with the bikini area. Shaving certainly is convenient. It's there when you need it, you don't have to make an appointment, you don't have to bare your unmentionables to a stranger and it's free (once you buy the razor, that is). Of course, after even the best shaves, stubble, can rear its ugly head and make you remember why you hate shaving! The itching, the discomfort and that's AFTER the red, raised, bumps and irritation that happen right after shaving. When you put it all together, maybe shaving isn't the best way to clean up that bikini line.

One of the most popular methods for removing hair from the bikini area is waxing. Though waxing is not a permanent method for hair removal, when done properly, waxing can keep the bikini area smooth for as long as six weeks, says Lynn McGalliard, a certified esthetician at Parks Salon in Valencia, California (a Los-Angeles suburb). McGalliard stresses that in order to achieve the best results, you should wait until the hair has grown to at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch before scheduling an appointment. If the hair is longer, the esthetician will trim the hair with scissors before using the wax.

With that said - for the DIY (Do It Yourself) woman, I recommend using the Spa Wax Hair Removal Kit. Only $9.99, it will leave your skin smooth and hair-free for up to 8 weeks. When the hair does regrow, it is much thinner and finer. With the Spa Wax Hair Removal Kit, you don't experience that itchiness and stubble that comes with the hair growing back. The Wax Hair Removal also minimizes your risks of getting bikini bumps because the entire hair is removed; not just the surface part of the hair, as in shaving. I'd be lying if I said waxing didn’t hurt, but the process is so fast that any pain or discomfort is transient. The Spa Wax Hair Removal Kit is formulated with lavender, making this kit good for those with sensitive skin. And to top it off, it comes with a Soothing Azulene Finishing Oil.

Here are some important facts to keep in mind before you wax: First, do not to exercise prior to waxing. This can make the skin more sensitive because the perspiration just under the skin's surface can make it more difficult for the wax to adhere properly to the skin and hair. When attempting to remove the wax strip, it can pull the skin, which is very painful and can even cause bruising. Be sure not to wax after a tanning session. Also, menstruation can make your skin more sensitive, thereby increasing the discomfort associated with the procedure. And finally, if you use Accutane, or apply Retin-A and Retin-A-containing products such as Renova to the bikini area: stay away from waxing! Vitamin A meds and creams have the theoretical potential of increasing skin fragility which can result in tearing when the wax is removed. Now that you know the ins and outs of waxing - you are now free to remove your unwanted hair safely.

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