article on dangers of waxing the genitals from Independent

[alexpolismum]

Has anyone read this article?

It's about bikini waxing, as the headline puts it. I had no idea there were so many problems associated with it (although I don't wax myself anyway). I felt really shocked on seeing this.

The result of shaving any part of the body is often tedium and discomfort.

As for the person who decided they could convince others to fire laser beams at their crotches and pay handsomely for the service... pure, evil, genius.

I wonder about thelong term effects of laser

I admit that I had no idea. I thought that waxing was painful but safe.

And it's so widespread, and I doubt that many people have even considered any of the points in the article!

Bit alarmist, if you ask me. [shrugs]

I emailed this article to my sister, who I know usually goes to a salon for a wax, and she's just sent me a message to say she's cancelling her appointment! She wanted to know why these possible side effects are never usually publicised, why no one has ever told her before. She said it's like taking a medicine - you choose to take it AFTER you've read the paper with all the side effects, only this time there was no paper

I really dislike how much the removal of public hair has been seen to be a normal and desirable thing in such a short period of time. Girls my daughter's age consider it normal to wax everything off at all times. To have normal pubic hair is seen as revolting.

So a lot of young women think it is normal to traipse to have their pubic hair painfully and expensively waxed off every month. I think it is horrible.

What would really worry me is the chance of a waxer 'double dipping' while doing a bikini wax (even a leg wax). I dread to think how many nasties are spread by a warm pot of wax. Hence, I do my bikini line at home.

Constant shaving and a full 'hollywood' wax have never sounded very wise to me. The pubic are needs some hair on it IMO.

SmartArse - we should have been able to predict your response given your name!

I think there is a distinct lack of skill with waxing as well, despite the fact that if it is done poorly it can be hugely painful. I have had inexperienced girls wax my eyebrows and that is bad enough.

I remember working with some young women who regulalry has Brazlillian waxes and one of them had a horrible time when she went to someone knew, skin ripped off and sores etc.

I haven't had anything waxed, ever. Can someone who has please tell me if they get ingrown hairs afterwards?

I have only had my eyebrows done! No ingrowing hairs. But I have had a horrible rash (just above my eyes, lovely) and sore eyebrows from overzealous waxers.

StewieGriffinsMom
"how is it alarmist? It's just stating the increased risks? And, it doesn't even delve into the issues of pornography and the objectification of women's bodies."

It is somewhat alarmist because it does not numerically define that increased risk, nor describe how that risk was clinically assessed. In truth given that no research what so ever has been provided with this article, statistically speaking the author could be talking nonsense.

Justifying the claims by saying 'a doctor posted their thoughts on a respected website' is a meaningless appeal to authority, not a piece of peer-reviewed research.

ooh, that sounds nasty, GetOrf!

My friend waxes regularly and has had to attend A&E when an ingrowing hair became abcessed.

I've been getting waxed for 23 yrs and I always get ingrowing hairs, although not so much on my bikini line oddly enough. But my hair is too thick to shave (it grew back after electrolysis on face and stomach) so I have to put up with it.

Alright, alright! I should have elaborated. But Helxi has done it for me - thanks, Helxi!

DH got a vile infection on his chin from an ingrowing hair. Obviously he shaves his chin rather than waxes it - ouch! - but it just goes to show you can get ingrowing hairs from that too.

The issue of whether or not it is acceptable from a porn/feminist point of view is completely separate, I think. And my views on that are not reflected in my earlier comment which was soley in relation to the medical aspects of waxing.

alexpolismum

Only ever had my legs waxed, and for me no ingrowing hairs, but I think it is down to the kind of hair. I have fine straight hair and wax once a year.