DIET | DETECTIVE^®

A bikini wax can be done in a variety of ways--using hot or cold wax, by a practitioner or at home--but the method is pretty consistent. A soft, sticky substance is applied to the skin where there is unwanted hair; a strip of cloth is smoothed over the wax and then (here comes the good part) ripped off in one fast yank to extract the hair from its core.

Believe it or not, this procedure is safe when done properly, according to dermatologist Diane S. Berson, M.D., F.A.A.D. Problems can result when the wax is too hot or pulled off too hard, so she suggests having it performed by an experienced individual. Berson says if you use the do-it-yourself kits, you should be fine if you follow the directions and test a small area before doing your entire bikini line.

Often after waxing small red bumps appear where the hair was removed. These bumps are ingrown hairs. "Ingrown hairs are acne type lesions that develop when the opening of the hair follicle is traumatized," Berson says. When the new hair comes in, it cannot come through the distorted opening so it grows into the skin. This can occur with any mechanical removal of hair, such as waxing, tweezing, electrolysis and shaving, and women with coarser hair tend to get more of them. Berson says you should not pick at or squeeze the eruptions. Usually, you can apply a topical lotion containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid or glycolic acid. She recommends seeing a physician for a prescription rather than buying an over-the-counter lotion because you may need to use compresses or even an oral medication.

Immediately after waxing, your skin is especially sensitive and more susceptible to sunburn, so be extra careful in the sun. Berson says this is particularly important if you have ingrown hairs because the sun can cause discoloration and scarring. And as tough as it is to wait for the hair to grow back before waxing, you need to be patient. You want to make sure there is enough growth so you are not waxing the skin, Berson says. It is also less effective when the hair is too short, and you definitely don't want to have to go back to the torture chamber for another treatment.

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