Waxing Advice to Get Through the Summer from Le Petit Spa

Waxing is probably the oldest form of hair removal; proof of this dates back to 3000 B.C!. Back then, they used a paste of arsenic trisulphide, cement and starch to remove unwanted body hair…yuck! Let’s not think about the places they would have had to apply that disgusting concoction…

Instead let’s be thankful that we live in the time we do and the fact that waxing has advanced a lot since then! Compared to shaving, waxing is a far better method of hair removal for both your skin and pocket book, and here’s why:

1. Results last longer with waxing - no need to shave the next day, or the day after that…or the day after that! (you get the point?) And your skin is left silky smooth for longer as well as waxing exfoliates the outer most layer of your skin.

2. No need to buy razor cartridges - What would you rather spend your money on? A Bikini wax that costs $22 and lasts up to 4 weeks? Or a pack of razors that cost about $20 (for 10 at londondrugs.ca) and you need to throw them out every two or three shaves?

3. Cut off the supply! - Did you know that when receiving waxing treatments, your hair may never grow back? This is because when the hair is removed from the hair follicle the blood supply for that hair can be damaged. But don’t worry! This won’t cause any harm to you but that moustache you wax every two weeks may just stop visiting for a while…

Did you know? That all forms of hair removal - waxing, laser, deploratories - are not permanent? Your hair growth cycle is about every 7 years, so even if that laser treatment does work now, in 3 months, 2 years or in 7 years, you may start to see hair grow back depending on which stage of hair growth you were in when you had the treatments.

4. Razor burn - For all of you that experience razor burn or irritation bumps from shaving every day (like me!) waxing may be just the relief your skin is asking for. Waxing is a fast form of hair removal, and the wax used is for sensitive skin - one quick pull of the cotton strip and your body is seductively smooth and irritation free!

Waxing is generally a safe method of hair removal for everyone, but there are some circumstances where you should perhaps wait or postpone your waxing service:

1. Sun burned skin - do not even think about keeping that waxing appointment. If waxed when experiencing a sun burn your skin will not only blister from having warm wax applied - it would probably come off as well! Wait at least a week (or more if your burn is really bad) before coming back for your waxing appointment.

2. Skin Thinning Treatments - If you have had any laser resurfacing, been using Retinol A, have had a glycolic facial or chemical peel where the top layer of skin has been removed, stay clear of any facial waxing and/or threading until your skin has regenerated itself. Waxing would cause further irritation, scarring or peeling.

3. Tanning Bed Addicts - If you must MUST tan in a tanning salon, wait 48 hours after your waxing service to tan and do not tan 48 hours before your waxing appointment. Tanned skin is dry, “microwaved skin”; if you receive waxing treatments immeadiately after tanning you risk the chance of scarring, your skin peeling and ending up with areas of sensitive, raw skin.

4. Medication - A lot of teen girls these days are taking oral medication (like acutane) for acne. Acutane not only dries your body up from the inside out, it thins your skin which is why it is so effective against acne. Do not have waxing treatments while using any medication that thins skin (ask your doctor if you are unsure!)

After your waxing treatment, your esthetician should go over a few basic home care recommendations for you to keep your skin irritation free:

1. Hot showers or baths are a no no for 24 hours after your waxing treatment. Hot water may cause irritation or stinging if your skin is sensitive. If you must have a bath or shower, have a luke warm one. This includes hot tubs, swimming pools (chlorine) and the ocean (salt) as well!

2. No Tanning - in tanning salons and the sun for 48 hours after please!

3. Do not apply heavy lotions with perfume to waxed areas, and no deodorant for 12 hours after waxing your underarms.

4. If you have had facial waxing, wear a sunscreen when outside and try to avoid direct sunlight for 24 hours.

5. The next morning when you get into the shower or bath exfoliate waxed areas to prevent ingrown hairs and any post-waxing bumps that can form (these are caused when sweat or other irritants irritate the newly bare hair follicles, exfoliating your skin will prevent this irritation). Exfoliate lightly! No need to scrub the skin.

6. Should irritation develop - apply a soothing post wax lotion. I recommend Le Petit Spa’s Tea Tree Lotion. Tea tree has been used for centuries as it has powerful antiseptic properties to keep the hair follicle clear of infection, and it also calms redness and irritation. But don’t leave the spa without picking one up - we can’t seem to keep it on the shelf long enough!.

Lotions with calendula, aloe and chamomile will also help calm irritated and red skin - just make sure the fragrance is natural and not perfume as this will cause further irritation.

Estheticians at Le Petit Spa apply our Tea Tree lotion to each client after every hair removal service at Le Petit Spa, check out our variety of waxing services, we boast the best Brazilian in Vancouver…

For waxing cliental looking for the best value in Vancouver on day spa waxing services our Waxing Wednesday promotion is sure to hit the spot!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be among the first to know about our monthly service promotions, our featured daily promotion and new product or spa service launches…have beauty questions? What about spa related questions? Email me with your questions and I’ll send an answer in an email and post the answer in a future edition of this blog!

A day in Vancouver in a French Country atmosphere to acheive hairless bodies!

Wax – Days at Le Petit Spa

A day set out in a French Country atmosphere to help the women (and men) of Vancouver achieve hairless, smooth bodies!

Wax-Days at Le Petit Spa is featured every Wednesday in Vancouver. When you come into Le Petit Spa on a Wednesday and book two or more waxing services (combo’s excluded) you will receive 50% off the lesser of the two.

Two featured professional spa products on wax-days are PFB, a roll-on glycolic preparation that soothes skin after waxing and prevents in-grown hairs, and Le Petit Spa’s Signature Tea Tree Lotion, which soothes the skin after waxing and contains antiseptic properties to prevent irritated hair follicles.

Le Petit Spa offers a wide range of professional spa waxing services at their full service French Country Day Spa. Below are some highlighted services that word-of-mouth has dubbed “the best in Vancouver three years in a row!”

Did you know? The reason why waxing stops hair from growing back is because it ‘damages’ the blood supply to the hair follicle. This does not cause any damage to your skin, but cuts off the blood supply to the individual hairs, stopping them from re-growing.

1. Brazilian – Also known as “the full Monty” this waxing service finds hair to remove in places you probably didn’t know you had hair. Named after the beautiful women of Brazil and their skimpy bikini bottoms, this waxing service preps you for even the most skimpy lingerie and bathing suits.

2. Eye brow Shaping – Nothing helps frame your face and complete your look than a perfectly shaped pair of eyebrows. Never too skimpy and never too thick, a Le Petit Spa esthetician will be able to create a brow that’s perfect for your eyes.

3. Leg Waxing – Whether you go for the “full” leg or half, your legs will be as soft as silk after this waxing treatment and will be hairless for up to 4 weeks depending on your hair re-growth rate. Perfect for new moms who don’t have time to shave everyday.

4. Pour Les Hommes – Waxing services for men; perfect for your honeymoon or other special occasions. Back waxing, chest waxing and stomach’s can be smooth as silk for your sweet heart after one of Le Petit Spa’s waxing services for men.

For more information about Le Petit Spa waxing services visit our web site page on waxing. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, gift-with-purchases and monthly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions or day spa service questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - Brazilian, French or Regular Bikini waxing services

The difference between regular, French and Brazilian waxing services.

The most common question that is asked at spas when talking “waxing” is: What’s the difference between regular, French and Brazilian waxing services?

Below, the mystery of all the bikini waxes out there is answered!

1. Regular Bikini Wax: Often for beginners, or for vacations where your bathing suit is going to be your main – stay outfit, the regular bikini wax removes hair that can be seen outside of the panty line.

2. French Bikini Wax: For the intermediate bikini waxer who may want to move on to the next phase of hair removal in this area. The French bikini wax removes the hair that can be seen outside of the panty line and moves about an inch inward into the panty line.

3. Brazilian Bikini Wax: For the most advanced waxer; this service is for the bold! Perfect for honeymoons, skimpy lingerie or bathing suits, or anyone desiring a, um, “hairless derriere” this service removes every, yes EVERY hair from the front to the back. Nothing is left behind in this service except the cleanest possible feeling and the softest skin you will ever have in this area!


These services run anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes depending on how far you decide to go!

The knowledgeable estheticians at Le Petit Spa will walk you through each step of the way, making sure that you are comfortable and confident in the choice that you have made.

Looking for the best waxing services in Vancouver?

Check out our daily promotion, "Waxing Wednesday’s” or click here to make an appointment for the best Brazilian wax in Vancouver!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, in-spa gift-with-purchases, weekly service promotions and special events, or email me with a beauty question and look for your answer in a future blog!

Waxing

Waxing is a great hair removal tool for both men and women; it removes hair at the root and causes it to grow back much slower than shaving. In comparison to the sharp, coarse re-growth caused by shaving, new hair growth after waxing comes in softer and fine and in some cases may never grow back. Waxing exfoliates the upper layer of the skin leaving it soft and silky with results lasting anywhere form 2-4 weeks. Visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information.

The "Cure-All" Household Lotion

Q: Tea tree oil seems to be everywhere these days! What's the hype about?

A: A once hard-to-find ingredient in North America, tea tree oil has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity due to its highly effective and incredibly soothing properties. Discovered centuries ago by Australian Aborigines, tea tree oil is derived from a tree that is only grown in Australia, the Melaleuca alternifolia. The active ingredient in the oil is terpinen-4-ol, which fights harmful bacteria and fungi and is also effective in preventing and fighting infection in cuts, scrapes, insect bites and stings, as well as soothing sunburns, razor burn and freshly waxed or irritated skin. Tea tree oil blends rapidly and easily with the skin's own oils. In the process, the oil alters the chemical barrier of the skin, making it less hospitable to the growth of fungi and other organisms. In these ways, tea tree oil not only lessens the chance of infection, it also promotes healing and reduces the likelihood of scarring. Clearly the benefits of this multi-purpose ingredient cannot be overstated and have made it a product that is indispensable to households. Visit www.lepetitspa for more information, or better yet, visit the spa to test our very own
'le petit spa Tea Tree Soothing Lotion'!

The Benefits of Brazilian Bikini Waxes

With summer and swimsuit season finally in full swing, it's no wonder that brazilian bikini waxes are all the rage- from their rapid increase in popularity in spas across North America, to the continual references made by the media to this service, ( including several segements on the Oprah Winfrey show!) brazilian bikini waxes have never been more popular. This waxing service is more than just a passing trend, and is here to stay- for good reason. Waxing is the most hygenic and thorough method of hair removal in this sensitive area. Unlike shaving or the use of depilatories, waxing leaves a smooth, bump-free surface by not allowing any shadow of the hair follicle. The hair grows back dramatically softer and with less irritation or itching. As well, it grows back at a much slower rate, which is usually about three to five weeks. Although women tend to choose waxing for their own benefit (and convenience during bikini season!), their partners are usually quick to voice their approval! There is some discomfort involved in brazilian waxes, however an experienced esthetician who uses high quality professional wax and the proper techniques will greatly minimize pain. The application of a soothing tea tree oil lotion after the service is also very helpful. Regular brazilian bikini waxes are much less painful and result in the regrowth of finer hairs. For most people, the benefits of this service far outweigh the discomfort! Visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information on brazilian bikini waxes