Pareezay

Beware of the Killer Bikini Wax! - MSN Health & Fitness - Skin and Hair

Beware of the Killer Bikini Wax!
Be careful—Brazilians can go from sexy beauty habit to scary sickness faster than you can say 'yowza!'
By the Editors of Women's Health

All Jennifer (not her real name) wanted was a smooth bikini line. But within 24 hours of getting a wax at a reputable New York City salon, an infection crept in. She developed a fever of 102, chills, and pain in her left thigh. "I thought I'd caught a cold," she says, "but after five days, the pain was worse."

Her doctor diagnosed her with cellulitis, a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of the skin and the underlying tissue. Jennifer spent the next 15 days in the hospital hooked up to an IV that pumped her full of antibiotics and heavy-duty painkillers. She also had surgery to drain the infection. "One doctor said I could have lost my leg!" she recalls. "It took me months to recover physically and emotionally from the whole ordeal —a steep price to pay for a little vanity."

While there are no reliable stats on waxing-related complications, Jennifer's experience wasn't unique. This past March, the state of New Jersey nearly banned Brazilian waxes after two women landed in the hospital as a result of them (one of the women filed a lawsuit against the state cosmetology board). And in 2007, an Australian woman with type 1 diabetes almost died of a bacterial infection she got after a bare-it-all wax.

What makes them risky? "Pubic hair is there for a reason—to protect the sensitive skin and mucous membranes in the genital region," explains Linda K. Franks, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine. "Getting a wax literally strips away that layer of protection."

Waxing can also pull off tiny pieces of the skin's outermost layer, creating a portal through which bacteria can enter the body. What's more, the process creates inflammation, which can trap bacteria beneath the skin. All of this sets the stage for skin infections (including staph), folliculitis (infection of the hair follicles), and ingrown hairs.

"Anytime you compromise the integrity of the skin, you're going to increase your risk of infection," Franks says. She advises people who have diabetes, chronic kidney or liver disease, skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, or weakened immune systems to avoid waxing altogether. For everyone else, there are simple ways to ward off danger:

Choose a facility carefully. Before you make an appointment, drop by to see how clean the place is, or ask a friend to recommend a salon she trusts. Be sure the cosmetologist or aesthetician you choose is licensed by your state and has received training in Brazilian waxing, says Rosanne Kinley, past president of the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology.
Ask about the wax. "Hard wax is best. It's gentler and adheres to the hair, not the skin," Kinley says. "Speed wax, which is soft and sticky, is applied with a roller applicator, and while it's fast and easy, it's more painful and more likely to tear skin." Sugaring, a natural method that's kinder to the skin than waxing, is a good alternative. Look for products that are chemical-free; Shobha ($22, myshobha.com)contains nothing but sugar, water, lemon juice, and glycerin.
Keep an eye on hygiene. Before beginning the process, the practitioner should scrub up or (at least) apply hand sanitizer. Double dipping into the wax is taboo because it introduces bacteria into the pot. "The waxer should have brand-new spatulas available for each swipe to your skin," Kinley says. To prevent burns, she should check the wax's temperature on the inside of her wrist before applying it to your skin. If you don't see the practitioner taking these steps, speak up.
Prevent irritation. For a few days following your wax, apply an over-the-counter topical antibiotic cream and an anti-inflammatory 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to the area, says Bruce Robinson, M.D., an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. This will ease irritation and help ward off potential infection.
Know the signs of infection. Check yourself with a hand mirror (look for inflamed ingrown hairs, rashes, or raw, open sores or cuts). "See a doctor ASAP if you develop redness or swelling in the area, an itching or burning sensation, peeling of the skin, or a fever," Robinson says.
Sound Off! Share your waxing nightmares at womenshealthmag.com/soundoff.

sumorani

ugh omg thats scary!!

Sara516

i duno...sounds rare.
i've had it done a few times and no complaints.

candy_apple

Omg i get these regularly. I go to a really reputable place though....but they don't use a new spatula everytime they dip it back in the wax.....in fact I'm not sure any place actually does this.

AnGeL EyEs

scary!

Gina~

One should be REALLY careful... go to a reputable place and take u're own spatula's, disposable cotton strips.

sumorani

If you go to a good place they will most likely use disposable strips, cotton strips or clear strips (made of corn are really good) and disposable spatulas (usually made out of wood). So there would be no reason to bring your own. If you go to a salon that reuses these things, chances are they they are probably double dipping into the wax and most likely the salon is probably dirty and unhygienic in other areas too so just find another salon.

stoppit

I recommend anyone having any areas on the face being waxed, underarms or bikini line, to go somewhere that uses hard wax.
I recently used it myself and it's amazing. Not only does it barely pull at the skin but it can tackle hair that's growing in diff directions easily, which is why it's so good for the underarms. check out some youtube vids.

sbb614

OMG...the place I go to is a small salon and the woman she is known for using new stick everytime she never double dips and uses good quality disposable strips, I have gone there for few years now. Anyways I never had any problems so far(touch wood), but I guess it depends on each person's skin senstiviity and other factors.

~*Chochi*Chi*Bachi*~

Read summin worse den this alreadi :l

TLK

Thanks for sharing, I will be careful ...

sumorani

^haha

midnighteyes

Yah Ive heard about this too and read some reviews from girls online who got really bad infections. You have to be very careful and make sure things are kept clean. Also exfoliate properly to decrease ingrown hairs and remove dead skin cells. Ive never had any infections or any other scary problems like that
I do mine myself at home but I always double dip my spatula. Is that okay since its just me using my wax or even for myself should I use a new spatula every dip to prevent bacteria contamination?

BlushingRose

yeah i was wondering the same thing...thats scary now that u think abt it

even if u are using a disposable wooden spatula....it does go into the same wax pot where someone else's disposable spatula goes it...YUCKKKKK

shona09

OMG!!!! thts scary.....
May ALLAH keep us away from such things..

Pareezay

do you guys have any good, hygeinice places in miami?

Gina~

I prefer it to hot-wax too.. I don't need to go over with thread later-on to pluck out any small stray hair.

styleday123

OMG thats sooo scaryy......

MiamisweetheartX

yes, we do. Theres a place near sunset place (the mall) where they are super clean and have excellent customer service. They use new materials with each visitor and do everythign according to your wishes.

SaadiaB

I don't know why I can never let anyone do waxing down there, too much sharam for it.