Search
Vagisil® Presents:

V-STYLING: FACTS ON SHAVING, WAXING AND OTHER "V" BEAUTY REGIMENS


By Adelaide G. Nardone, MD
Medical Advisor to the Vagisil Women’s Health CenterSM (VWHC)

Many American women are incorporating the removal of hair in the genital area into their personal beauty and grooming regimen. The trend is growing in popularity, especially among younger women, who are more likely to feel that men prefer a "manicured" look. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by the Vagisil Women’s Health Center, approximately one fourth of women aged 18 and older say they closely trim their pubic hair with scissors or clippers, and almost a third of women (32 percent) say they shave either part or all of their pubic hair off (23 percent "part"; 9 percent "all").

Some women even prefer the more exotic Brazilian wax, which is the complete removal of genital hair, giving you an ultra smooth look. Though shaving or waxing can make you feel attractive and sexy there are some health risks involved that women should be aware of:

Infection is the number one risk for women who wax in a salon, if proper sanitation isn’t applied during the waxing procedure. This may include bacterial infection or a viral, sexually transmitted disease, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Women can also develop skin infections just days after the procedure, including: cellulitis (a diffuse, reddish skin infection), folliculitis (infected hair follicles) or abscess (a localized collection of pus buried under the skin). The exposed labia are also more susceptible to trauma, exposing the vagina and urethra to infections, as well.

Extensive shaving and waxing of the genital area can also cause non-infectious, yet uncomfortable reactions, such as skin irritations and rashes. Post hair-removal irritation can be soothed with over-the-counter products such as Gynecort® (one percent hydrocortisone) hypoallergenic feminine itch creme, or Vagisil® Anti-Itch Creme.

There are ways to ensure that the salon you choose for your "V" beauty regimen is a "safe" establishment:

  • Check to see if the salon is a certified member of The Salon Association (TSA). You can find protocols for cosmetology at the U.S. Department of Health Web site: http://www.hhs.gov. The salon’s aestheticians should be licensed in the state in which they practice.
  • Different hair removal systems (such as waxing) use different ingredients. For example, some contain 100% botanicals to produce a soy-based non-wax. These have the advantage of adhering to hair and not to skin, so trauma is minimized. Cloth and muslin waxing strips are also preferable to paper, as they are less traumatic to the delicate genital tissues.
  • The aesthetician should wear gloves so there is no contamination from her hands and you don’t contaminate her with any infections you may harbor.
  • Women should be requested to change into disposable underwear since HPV has been found on the underwear of infected women. The waxing table paper or towels should also be changed between each client.
  • The skin should be "pre-cleansed" before the wax, and treated again after the wax with a soothing and cleansing agent.
  • The aesthetician should NEVER double dip the wax applicator into the heating unit. If the salon uses stick applicators they must to be disposed of after each client. Metal spatulas and all non-disposable instruments such as tweezers and scissors should be properly sterilized.
  • The heating units for wax should be kept no lower than 98.6 degrees F or 37 degrees C.
  • These temperatures are intended to be antimicrobial and antibacterial (fighting bacteria, fungus). However, these temps are not ANTIVIRAL. In fact, the temperature necessary to destroy DNA viruses (such as HPV and HSV) is about 106 degrees F or 50 degrees C. These high temps are necessary in order to denature the nucleic acids of viruses. Since some viruses have been known to live on inanimate objects, it is possible to spread them through improper sterile techniques, since the heat of the wax itself is not adequate to destroy them.
  • Women with the following conditions should avoid waxing: thin skin, vulvar varicosities, poor circulation, poorly controlled diabetes, genital warts, active herpes and other active skin disorders.
  • Women on the following medications should avoid waxing: Acutane, steriods and immune suppressive therapies.


Dr. Nardone’s Top 5 Tips on "V" Styling:

  1. Don’t choose a waxing salon because the price is right for you. Choose a salon because it upholds high standards of sanitation and its employees are properly credentialed.
  2. Don’t feel compelled to have a "Brazilian Wax" because all your friends do. Keep in mind that pubic hair is there for a purpose -- to protect the genital area from infection and trauma. A simple bikini wax is safer.
  3. Don’t wax if you are menstruating, on certain medications, such as Acutane, or if you have an active outbreak of any STD.
  4. Be sure the aesthetician treating you protects you both from contamination with simple precautions such as: wearing gloves, cleansing the genital area before and after the procedure, having all clients wear disposable underwear, using disposable spatulas and NEVER double dipping.
  5. Feminine anti-itch creams such as Maximum Strength Gynecort® Anti-Itch Creme (one percent hydrocortisone) or Vagisil® Anti-Itch Creme can help soothe any post-shaving/waxing irritation, but if you develop an infection or skin problem it is advisable that you consult with your gynecologist and also inform the salon of this occurrence.