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Want to look your best this bikini season? Then look down. Like stepping up your green exercise routines to raise the tush and tuck the tummy, your bikini line is one of those spots that needs a little extra attention right about now. Instead of succumbing to painful, environmentally-taxing waxing treatments, we've got a couple of tricks to make your coiffing experience green and pain-less (that would be less pain, as opposed to painless—important detail). Yes, eco-friendly spas have been coming up with some pretty great green alternatives to the old-school hair-removal process like infusing soothing soy into the mix, or changing it up with stuff like pine sap and beeswax.
Eco-friendly waxes to green your bikini waxing:
Beeswax and Pine Sap
Some spas like Uni.K.Wax Centers are substituting traditional wax for more naturally innovative ingredients like pine sap, beeswax and aloe vera. Because the substitute doesn't dry hard, it can be pulled off without the use of wasteful paper strips that have the tendency to not only rip the hair out, but wreak havoc and cause bruising to the delicate skin too. What's great about the infusion of aloe vera is that it is also naturally soothing and cooling, sucking out some of the pain associated with the waxing process.
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| Florin Tirlea/istockphoto |
Organic Wax
Unlike traditional chemically-infused waxes, you know what you're getting when it comes to organic wax—which is a really good thing considering that it is heated up and being slathered all over a very delicate and glandular area of the body that is super susceptible to sucking up anything placed on it. No need to fear with the organic variety. Just sit back, relax, and know that as the hair is being ripped from your nether region, you aren't being exposed to toxins, chemicals, perfumes or any other artificial ingredients that can potentially irritate the skin. But beyond the skin, the obvious choice for anything is organic when it comes to the environment!
Some particularly eco-friendly spas like Blue Marble Spa in San Diego swear by the organic wax and refuse to expose their clients to anything but. Yes, even when it comes to the “French” bikini wax. To even further green the experience, Blue marble uses recycled muslin waxing strips (don't worry, they are cleaned and sanitized). Why? According to Spa Director, Kyra Johnson, "In any endeavor, in today's world, the eco-path is the 'right' path. With the growing global environmental awareness and the staggering statistics of consumption and waste, it is extremely important to make smarter decisions, make more environmentally friendly choices, incorporate sustainable practices and products and reduce our negative environmental impact."
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| powershot/istockphoto |
Soy Wax
Soy seems to be popping up around just about every corner these days and waxing is no exception. Julie Ebner, owner of Juju Spa & Organics in Philadelphia, who chooses soy wax in her spa says, "Soy is a renewable resource versus oil-based paraffin which is a nonrenewable toxic derivative. Soy based wax is completely botanical and has natural antimicrobial properties. The soy wax never dries and doesn't stick to the skin, so it doesn't pull or cause painful irritation. Soy wax was invented by medical teams because they needed something effective but not as harsh to the skin."
Joseph Christopher Salon in Long Island also uses only soy wax for hair removal because he knows he is getting a 100% natural product. His clients love that it's less irritating and lasts longer since the entire hair root, bulb and shaft are removed in the process (instead of just the hair). One soy wax to look out for at your local spa is Satin Smooth Organic Soy Wax. It's always smart to be an informed spa-goer.
How to Do Your Own Bikini Waxing at Home
Don't Forget to Prep!
The Grapeseed Company Mojito Man Shave Prep is an organic, clarifying, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial treatment made from grape seed oil that will help set the stage before you let it rip!Ready for Rip Off?
MOOM 100% Certified Organic sugar-based hair remover will make your skin feel smoother, younger and moisturized. It's so pure it contains nothing but Chamomile, Sugar, Lemon Juice, Tea Tree Oil and Water and we love it for at-home down-there hair care.Tend to Post-Treatment Tenderness
Combat-Ready Balm is an all-natural/organic skin salve that soothes the skin and is the perfect post-wax fix!
More on Green Bikinis
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Eco Bikinis: Hotter than Ever
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Get Michelle Obama Arms with Natural Resistance Bands
Green Exercise: Dance Your Butt Off
More on Natural Skincare
How to Go Green: Women's Personal Care
How to Go Green: Natural Skin Care
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