Pubic hair — everyone has it. That is, unless a person has gone through some artificial means to remove it. This tantalizing topic may be awkward for some and liberating for others to talk about: To remove or not to remove, that is the question.
For some, eliminating pubic hair is just a matter of aesthetics or cleanliness. But for others, having pubic hair can be like a political statement; as if stating whether they are a republican or democrat, a conservative or hippie.
Removing the hair down there is often thought to be more prevalent among the female population. Some argue against it, saying women who wax are brainwashed into attempting to live up to a set of standards where they must strive to become younger or smoother. Others may say they remove it for health reasons, because it’s more sanitary. And, of course, there are those who think the hair in this region is like a compass, leading in the right direction toward making them sexier or more mature, depending on whether they pluck, plow or just let it grow. Regardless, hair is hard to ignore.
A waxing boutique called The Pretty Kitty is one place that provides steady answers to the hair issue: Wax it.
The Pretty Kitty
Specializing in Brazilian waxing, The Pretty Kitty’s estheticians are able to remove pubic hair within 10 to 15 minutes. They sometimes do 20 to 30 waxes a day, which contributes to increased expertise and experience.
Highly attuned to the common psychological and physical discomfort of removing pubic hair, this place strives to provide the utmost comfort for its customers. Tricia Hetherington opened the first one in Pacific Beach a few years ago. Upon entry, customers were offered wine, escorted into a warm, comfy, dimly lit room where Hetherington herself would wax each customer’s pubic hair. After its success in Pacific Beach, Hetherington has since expanded The Pretty Kitty to include two other locations, one in Chula Vista and another in Las Vegas.
Why people wax
There are a variety of reasons for why people wax.
“I would say that everyone has a different appeal,” esthetician at The Pretty Kitty Morgan Andersen said. “Some people do it for sanitation reasons. I have a lot of clients that surf (who) do it for cleanliness reasons. It actually helps if you get constant bladder infections and yeast infections.” Whether for aesthetic or practical purposes, waxing is a method that stalls hair growth for a longer duration when compared to shaving. Proponents of shaving can’t deny that it often has to occur on a somewhat daily basis to keep hair invisible.
“If you’re waxing consistently, usually after the third or fourth (time), you have two to three weeks with minimal to no hair growth,” Andersen said. “If you are shaving, you are doing it every day and irritating the area. And it doesn’t last that long.”
Does it hurt?
Yes. Come on — hair removal isn’t a painless process. But with so many women who are waxing, it must be at least somewhat tolerable.
“Keep in mind that the first time is normally the worst,” another esthetician at The Pretty Kitty, Lisa Walker, said. “You are going to notice a considerable difference in the pain, and the reason is that the first time, especially if you have been shaving or you have never been waxed before, your hair is going to be quite coarse, so you definitely feel it more when we pull the hair out.” But after a couple of times, Walker suggests that the pain decreases.
“The next time your hair grows back, you actually have new hair,” Walker said. “You’ll notice that it is a lot thinner, softer and some people actually notice less hair over time.”
Because the estheticians are well-trained and can practice thousands of wax jobs a year, they are able to do the job quickly, efficiently and with as little pain and discomfort as possible.
“Honestly, most of my clients, after they have been waxed, say that it’s not as bad as what they imagined it would be,” Walker said. “Once they come here, they have had a better experience than they have had at any other place.”
What to watch for
The Pretty Kitty stands strong about avoiding any type of wax stick double-dipping, as it can possibly pass sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
“There was actually an outbreak (from double-dipping) in Santa Barbara,” Andersen said. “They had the herpes virus in the waxing pot and they were just putting it on girls, and there was a horrible breakout of the virus.”
According to Andersen and Walker, many people can get their esthetician license without taking any special courses an Brazilian waxing. They mentioned horror stories about women who went to non-specialized waxing salons who spent more than two hours getting a Brazilian wax. They also mentioned other stories where an unskilled esthetician used the wrong wax or where stitches had to be sewn to reattach a ripped off vulval lip.
The Pretty Kitty primarily performs Brazilian waxes, so customers know these types of situations won’t happen with its estheticians.
When to wax
It is recommended that people don’t shave or remove pubic hair at least three to four weeks before waxing. The hair has to be at least 1 / 4 of an inch.
Preparation
Avoid caffeine and take Ibuprofen one hour before the wax to reduce the pain.
“Caffeine constricts the blood levels and hair follicles, so it’s holding onto the hair tighter,” Andersen said. “If I drink coffee before, I can literally feel each individual hair being removed.”
If especially nervous about pain, The Pretty Kitty sells a numbing gel to apply about an hour before the wax.
Being premenstrual is not the best time to wax because of an increase in sensitivity.
Do not tan before or after waxing as recently tanned skin can peel off during waxing and the risk of getting burnt increases if tanning post-wax.
Aftercare
After waxing, hair should stay smooth for at least two to three weeks. Customers are encouraged to avoid shaving between appointments.
“Waxing slows down and reduces hair growth,” The Pretty Kitty brochure states. “Shaving just one time in between will negate all that is gained from waxing and can further irritate follicles, which can cause ingrown hair.” Hydrocortisone cream helps if skin becomes irritated or if tiny bumps become visible.
To avoid ingrown hairs, shower exfoliation fights off the cellular buildup that traps hair.
“Exfoliating is probably the most important thing,” Andersen said. “Because, like I said, the hair grows back finer and softer, so it might have a hard time coming through the follicle if there’s any dirt or debris.”
Andersen and Walker also suggest avoiding exfoliating too intensely right away because the skin is sensitive. Recently waxed customers should also avoid the ocean or swimming for two to three days.
Further information
The Pretty Kitty also provides European or express facials as well as a variety of other waxing services for the face, legs, arms, buttocks or abdomen. Costs range from $10 for the lip, chin or face sides to $60 for a full leg. The price of a Brazilian is $45, but first-timers receive $10 off. Packages can also be purchased for four Brazilians at the price of $160.
Walk-ins are welcome, but making an appointment is encouraged to avoid the anticipation of waiting. For contact information and operating hours, visit www.theprettykittySD.com.
In the end, hair always grows back. The choice remains about what is best fit for each personality whether waxing, shaving, sugaring, getting laser treatment or staying natural and letting it grow. Trends fluctuate, bodies change, identities adapt, new perspectives emerge and somewhere beneath all this shifting, there are people deciding what it means to them to have hair or no hair down there.
THE BREAK DOWN
Locations: 1968 Garnet Ave.; 320 Third Ave., Suite B, Chula Vista.
Telephone: 858-483-PURR (Pacific Beach), 619-427-PURR (Chula Vista)
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged.
The Service: The estheticians are respectful, friendly, well-trained and more than willing to go the extra distance to make any customer feel at ease.
The Scene: These chic and professional boutiques produce an atmosphere well-tuned to keeping customers feeling elegant while staying comfortable.
Pricing: $45 per Brazilian, $35 (First-time customers)
Must try: The Brazilian Bling. It is a rhinestone application that is like a temporary tattoo. It is placed on freshly waxed skin and comes in various shapes such as hearts or dragonflies.
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