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Wax On...Wax Off
By Molly Sullivan
Many women spend October to March getting bikini ready and it's impossible not to think about waxing without wincing when the summer months roll around. Whether it's a simple, everyday eyebrow waxing or a slightly more nerve-racking bikini waxing, this is surely not an event you look forward to. While there still isn't an all-out way to avoid the pain of waxing, there are a few ways to ease the experience. After all, you don't want to be dreading your day at the beach just because of a little pain in the prepping.
The most important advice when getting ready to wax is to go to a reputable esthetician. This is not a "try at home" kind of beauty trick, so go to someone who has done this for years and will know how to make it as easy as possible for you. And it will never hurt to let your esthetician know any sort of pain that you are worried about because it's their job to help you feel relaxed.
Be aware, the first waxing will be the most painful. You won't know what to expect and nerves are certain to be on edge, so don't judge the experience until you've tried it twice. Also, as you continue to wax, fewer hairs will grow in which continues to make the process a little easier.
Take a little ibuprofen. A few hours before your appointment, it may help to take an anti-inflammatory to reduce the pain. For some, a glass of wine might make you a little more relaxed, but you should avoid more than one as blood vessels will constrict after multiple drinks, causing waxing to be a little more painful. Also, caffeine, nicotine and sugar should be avoided because they increase sensitivity. Try to go a couple of hours without any of these before your appointment.
For a bikini wax, it's recommended that you avoid waxing during your menstruation as you are typically more sensitive during this time due to the extra blood flow.
When going in for a wax, the hair should be no shorter than a quarter of an inch and no longer than half an inch. You want to avoid waxing too short or too long of hair because it can pull at the skin, which can cause bleeding.
Just like childbirth, breathing deeply can be used to help ease the pain of waxing. It will help to relax you and it might even get your mind off of the actual waxing process, if not just for a bit. Any sort of distraction helps when waxing, as they say, mind over matter. Whether it's listening to your iPod, chatting away with your esthetician or even bringing a friend to hold your hand and keep you distracted.
It's also a good idea to make sure that when you're being waxed, the skin should be taut as to make it easier for the esthetician and avoid getting any extra skin ripped, although an experienced esthetician should take care of this. Another helpful bit that they may do is to press hard on the area that was just waxed, which will decrease the immediate pain. If you feel more comfortable doing this yourself, just let them know because the most important thing is to be open and honest with the person waxing you.
Probably one of the most helpful tricks is to use a numbing cream. This will mildly numb the area, dulling the pain of waxing. When you call to schedule your appointment, you can find out if your esthetician has this numbing cream for you to use. If you're not very good at distracting yourself from what is going on then this would be a great alternative.
While there are a number of ways you can help to lessen the pain on the day of, you can also do some work in between appointments that will help to make it all a little easier. With some simple exfoliating to get rid of the dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs during the time in between, waxing will slowly become less painful. However, you should not exfoliate until a couple of days after your appointment.
Waxing is a commitment, but is worth it in the end. The easiest way to get through your appointment just may be thinking about what the result will be. And you can always be happy that it will at least be a few weeks before you have to go back.
Sunless Tanning Products for Summer Days
By Joan Russell
Another alternative to sitting in the sun for hours to get a tan or going to the salon or spa is to try home sunless tanning products. They come in sprays, gels, foams and lotions. The active ingredient in the product is called DHA or dihydroxyacetone. This substance reacts with the outer skin to darken it. It is a color additive approved by FDA Federal Food and Drug Administration. This gives you the tanning effect without the harmful sun's rays. Most of the sunless tanning products go on clear and take a few hours to show the results. Some take eight to 24 hours to see the entire results after applying. Most tanning products fade in approximately seven to 10 days and some only last a few days.
The product works by applying the spray or gel to your skin lightly. The product reacts with the first layer of skin by darkening it. Before using the product wash your skin with soap and water using a washcloth. This will remove any layer of dead skin. Dry yourself thoroughly before applying the product. Women should shave their legs. Use less on thicker skin like your ankles, and knees. Always wash your hands after applying the product to avoid getting it in your eyes and nose. It stains so if you use the gel or crème wash hands often. Some people mix the tanner with a moisturizing lotion before they apply it to their skin. Other women put on a moisturizing lotion before applying the tanning product. Before dressing wait till the product dries completely so you can avoid staining your clothing and underwear.
Lancôme Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Body Spray is a liquid that works in about one hour. It has Vitamin E and lasts about three days. Don't go in the water or it will wear off. The results are good for the body and face. It is rated highly by most customers. Some people do not like the smell. It costs $10.99 for 3.7 ounces.
Au Courant Sunless Tanning Spray is 100 percent natural. It is rated highly by most customers because it produces a brown tan not orange. It comes in spray, mousse and lotion. It ranges in price from 6 to 8 ounces for $29.99. It has a pleasant scent but wash hands as it stains clothing and skin. It fades well with no blotchiness. It has a good face tanning product as well.
Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Spray costs about $12 for 5.3 ounces. It is clear and sprays on easy. It dries quickly and last about five days. Some customers found it streaks and turns skin orange. Rated in the middle some customers love the product others found results unsatisfactory.
Bain de Soleil Streakguard Self Tanning Crème works well with little no streaking. Apply lightly goes on easily and smoothly. It stains clothes and the foam is easy to apply. It lasts about 5 to 7 days. If you miss spots you have white skin. It cost $7.99 for 3.12 oz bottle.
Banana Boat Sunless Tanning Crème with Color Indicator is an easy to apply tanning product. Some people use plastic gloves to apply to skin. Small amounts work best and it gave good color no orange. Rated in the middle some customers loved it other did not.
Costs $6.99 for 3.5 oz.
Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Lotion is $10.99 for 3.7 ounces. It is easy to use and goes on well. The products have mixed reviews some customers like the results others complained about fading and orange color. Some did not like the smell of the product. Overall it was satisfactory for results. The tan last only a few days and rubs off easily.
Benefit Aruba in a Tuba is said to not last long but looks great. It is a crème that you rub n. It lasts about 2 to 3 days. Some people need two or three applications for good results. Some customers do not like the smell and have developed rashes from product. It costs $24 for 5 oz. It is rated in the middle.
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