Let's Talk Spa

A blog offering information, tips and advice about beauty, skin care, body care and other spa - related topics from Nancy Mudford (Owner of Le Petit Spa) at Vancouver’s Le Petit Spa.


Friday, May 11, 2007

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!

Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, April 13, 2007

Time for Spring Cleaning at Le Petit Spa


Spring has sprung! Warmer temperatures and bikini clad bodies at Kits beach are just around the corner (hopefully!)

Time to start getting ready for bikini season and thinking about some “spring cleaning”.

A bikini wax is the perfect way to get ready for your vacation to warmer climates, or an easy way to maintain your bikini area at any time of year.

Whether you’re interesting in a regular, French or Brazilian bikini wax, Le Petit Spa has one that is right for you.

1. Regular Bikini wax - If you’re a beginner, this is where to start. Always covered and nothing left exposed, the regular bikini wax at Le Petit Spa removes all hair outside of the panty line. Most spas have their own versions of these extremely popular waxing services, so if you have never been to a particular spa before, be sure to ask about their specific services.

2. French Bikini wax - For the experienced bikini waxer who is ready to move up a level, the French bikini wax at Le Petit Spa removes all hair outside the panty line PLUS about an inch inward from your panty line. You choose exactly how much you want removed.

3. Brazilian Bikini wax - Not much choice in this one! You’ve done the regular and French, now its time to hit the beach Brazilian style (aka the full Monty, or absolutely everything gone!) This bikini wax removes every single itsy-bitsy hair from front to back - nothing is spared! The ultimate in clean feeling. It is suggested that you do gradually move into this bikini wax as it is quite invasive - make sure you are comfortable with having an esthetician working in every crevasse of that part of your body!

Check out Le Petit Spa’s waxing promotion, “Waxing Wednesday s” where you get your second waxing service at 50% off. Read more…

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive the scoop on new services, our featured service promotion of the month and other special events before anyone else, or if you have spa related or beauty questions, email me and I’ll post a reply in a future edition of this blog!

Labels: , , , ,

Friday, March 16, 2007

"Count Down to Prom" Waxing vs. Shaving: The Pro's and Con's


Hair removal for Teens at Le Petit Spa

Puberty is a funny time for teens. So many things are happening to your body, your mind and your life! Hair shouldn’t be one of the many things you need to worry about.

Waxing vs. Shaving

Waxing removes hair by the root, making your skin stay hair free for longer. When you remove hair from the root, less hair grows back time after time because waxing actually “damages” the blood supply to each hair follicle, so the hair has no nutrients to grow back with. Waxing also exfoliates the top level of your skin, making ultra smooth silky skin.

Shaving cuts hair off at the surface of the skin. This is why hair grows back as “stubble”, the hair is left sharp at the ends and feels “prickly”. Hair grows back usually in a day and if you like soft, smooth, hairless skin, you need to shave everyday; which can cause excessive dryness in the skin.

Either hair removal method works, but waxing has many more benefits:


  • Waxing lasts 2 to 4 weeks depending on the speed of hair growth.

  • Waxing creates smooth, soft skin.

  • Less hair grows back each time you wax.

  • Hair that does grow back is thinner and softer, making it less noticeable.

  • No need to shave everyday.

What is Threading?

Threading is a form of hair removal that originates from the Middle East. It uses no product; all that’s needed is cotton thread to remove hair at the root. A Threading specialist will take cotton thread and entwine the thread around each individual hair, pulling them out at the roots. The same benefits of waxing are achieved with Threading, but there is no use of product, making it perfect for clients with sensitive skin, allergies or people that turn extremely red from waxing treatments.

Threading hair removal is usually done on small areas, like the upper lip or in eyebrow shaping’s.
Waxing can be performed on small body parts as well as larger body parts like the arms, legs and bikini areas.

On Wednesday’s at Le Petit Spa, clients receive a special deal to achieve the smoothest skin in Vancouver…”Wax Days”

Le Petit Spa also has a student discount when you show a valid student ID card to use on all of Le Petit Spa’s “Teen Spa” services

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about exclusive in-spa promotions, monthly events, new product or service launches or monthly service promotions. Have a beauty question? Want to know what a Teen facial is exactly? Email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Labels: , , ,

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Come travel through Canada, France and Brazil this spring with Vancouver's Le Petit Spa


As soon as the sun comes out around this time of year I can’t help but start to think about spring cleaning…and I’m not talking about house spring cleaning…I’m talking about:

Waxing!

Pretty soon the sun will be out in full force and it will be bathing suit season! I can hardly wait! Time to do some maintenance on my body that’s been in winter hibernation for about six months.

Brazilian Time! I love this service. It delivers the optimal feeling of cleanliness and confidence…I may not be heading to Rio de Janeiro, but this service will definitely have me feeling like I'm already there. …Read more

Not wanting to go all the way south? Why not go to France? A French bikini wax will almost take you to Brazil, with the exception of a couple of steps. Perfect for those not ready to travel too far from home…Read more.

Canadian eh? - Some of us are still pretty conservative when it comes to our waxing habits, but Le Petit Spa has just the choice for you! A Regular bikini wax will leave you feeling groomed, without venturing out of your safety zone…Read more.

Le Petit Spa offers Vancouver a Wednesday particularly for their waxing needs: Wax-days at Le Petit Spa! Come into Le Petit Spa on a Wednesday for all of your waxing needs and receive a special deal when you book two or more services…Read more.

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

Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, December 07, 2006

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!

Labels: , , , ,