• General waxing questions
• Brazilian waxing
• Custom Skin Care

General Waxing questions

What areas can I wax?
Many areas of the body may be waxed: eyebrows, forehead, lip area, cheeks, chin, back, upper/lower leg, underarms, forearms, bikini line — even hair on the knuckles of fingers and toes.

What will happen during my appointment?
If this is your first waxing service, or first experience having a particular area of your body waxed, Angel is going to guide you through the process. Once in the treatment room, you will need to expose only the area of your body that is going to be waxed.  For a regular bikini wax, you will be provided with disposable underwear to wear during the service; your esthetician will also discuss where you would like your bikini line to fall. For services like leg hair removal, underarm, arm, etc, you will be provided with a gown.  During all services, we use disposable sheets. 

Before the waxing begins, your esthetician will apply a pre-treatment to cleanse and sanitize the skin.  Be sure to inform your esthetician if you have any special or unusual skin condition or are taking prescription medications such as Retin-A®, Accutane®, antibiotics or any other medication which may cause excessive skin irritation.

After the waxing is done on your skin, a soothing lotion will be applied; and if there is a need for it, a High Frequency treatment will be performed to prevent ingrown hairs.

How should I prepare for a hair removal treatment?
To assure ease in removal, any unwanted body hair should be at least 1/4" long. You will want to refrain from extended sun exposure 48 hours prior to waxing.  You should lightly exfoliate your skin several days before waxing.  On the day of your waxing services, you will want to make sure you thoroughly cleanse the area being waxed and that the skin is moist but not greasy from oils or lotions.  For an underarm wax, please wash off any deodorant or anti-perspirant prior to your service (because it stops the wax from adhering properly).  Women should avoid waxing during the three days prior to and during their periods – the skin is most sensitive during this time.  Before you begin the treatment, there are a few things you should tell our therapists:  if you:

• Are diabetic
• Bruise easily
• Have varicose veins
• Are sunburned
• Have thyroid condition
• Are menstruating
• re using products/medications that are contraindicated for waxing: Accutane, Retine-A, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, Tazorac Avage, Differin, Strivectin, Renova, Proactive, Avita, benzoyl peroxide & salicylic acid. These are only some of the products we are aware of that may cause a problem and new ones can come along daily.  Your skin is important to you and us – so please check with your doctor if you have any doubts

Does waxing hurt?
It all depends: your first time receiving a body waxing can be uncomfortable because after shaving for years, the hair grows extremely coarse.  The more frequently you receive body waxes the more the hair will begin to grow thinner. Removing hair directly from the follicle is never comfortable; but, since Angel is highly skilled, it is likely that your waxing experience will be more comfortable than most.  If you are especially sensitive to pain or you are first-time waxing client, you may want to take an anti-inflammatory (such as Ibuprofen) 1 hour before your appointment, or you can apply numbing cream 45 minutes prior to service.  With continuous waxing, hair becomes finer and sparser, and waxing becomes more comfortable.

Why should I wax instead of shave?
When hair is shaved, within a few days, the hair can be seen at the surface of the skin and coarse stubble can be felt. Shaving commonly results in ingrown hairs, bumps and ongoing skin irritation.  When waxed, hair grows back slower, softer and without stubble. When appropriate post-waxing home care is followed, waxing leaves virtually no ingrown hairs, bumps or ongoing skin irritation.  Waxing will, over time, make hair growth finer, and hair will become less in volume; but there will always be some re-growth.

Could I be waxed during my menstrual cycle?
Waxing during and right before your menstrual cycle is possible, but is not recommended because of comfort considerations.  During your menstrual cycle, your body tends to be more sensitive due to the change of hormones, and this could cause the treatment to be more painful.  We recommend you schedule an appointment after the end of your menstrual cycle.

How often should I wax?
This depends on the area being waxed and how fast your hair grows (which depends on the season, medication, hormonal changes, and medical conditions). On average, every four weeks is recommended for body waxing.  For the most effective facial waxing service, the ¼ inch rule does not apply.  On average, every three weeks is recommended for facial waxing.

How should I take care of my skin after waxing?
After waxing, avoid tanning and extended sun exposure for 48 hours. You will want to avoid hot showers or baths, sauna and steam room use immediately following the service. Scented lotions, perfumes, or colognes should be avoided for 48 hours.

Don't allow direct heat on the skin for at least 24hrs after waxing: sunbathing, solarium, hot shower, sauna or steam room use. This can traumatize & burn new skin, as the dead skin layer has been removed with the hairs during waxing.
We also want the pores to close, not open.  Use a tea-tree based moisturizer on the waxed area – it is a natural antiseptic and will help reduce the likelihood of getting ingrown hairs & small pimples (follictilitus).  Exfoliate with a strong mitten, cloth or glove, but only when the skin has calmed down after waxing and the new growth begins to penetrate. This could take from 4 to 7 days.  Try to wear cotton underwear and clothing to allow the area to breathe.  Don't use deodorant, perfumes or alcohol-based products for at least 24 hours after waxing.  It is recommended to use sun protection lotion for the 1st day after the waxing, to avoid hyper-pigmentation.

Based on your skin, your esthetician will recommend a post-waxing home-care regimen and products to calm and soothe your skin.

How do you clean your equipment between uses?
Silky Smooth Waxing Studio greatly respects and follows all rules and regulations imposed by FDA, OSHA and Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

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Brazilian waxing

What should I expect from my Brazilian Wax?
Disposable bikinis are available, but for best results, it's recommended you remove any underwear. This makes it easier for the therapist to support your skin without having to worry about anything getting in the way. You will be provided with a modesty towel. After you remove your underwear, cover the area with the towel. Then you and the therapist will discuss the shape you want to have- whether it will be a strip, diamond, triangle or all off! The therapist will start by removing your towel and positioning your legs into place. If your pubic hair is long, it may need to be trimmed first. It is best not to attempt that yourself before the treatment, or you may cut the hair too short. Pre-wax solution is applied to clean the skin. If you feel uncomfortable during the waxing procedure, please let us know. We can take a break, select different size strips or change the type of the wax to ensure that the process is as relaxed as it can be.

At the end of the treatment, we will apply a tea tree lotion which is antibacterial, healing and soothes the area. If you don't like or are allergic to tea tree, please let us know and we will offer you another lotion. Finally, we do a High Frequency  treatment to prevent ingrown hair, and we will offer you some handy after-care tips and suggestions to make the most of your Brazilian wax treatment. What are the benefits of maintaining a Brazilian wax?

We hope you will start to maintain and take care of your new Brazilian wax. It is not recommended to leave it any more than 4-6 weeks. If you leave it too long, it will hurt more due to the buildup of dead skin and over-growth of the hair. We will ask you to rebook your next appointment in advance to take advantage of our special price for Maintenance. Our goal is to keep you happy and see you again, so if you have any questions before or after the treatment, please don't hesitate to Contact Us. Can you give me any advice for Brazilian waxing aftercare?

Most clients do not experience reactions beyond redness and minor irritation. Hair may break at the root during waxing, if hair is thin or weak, causing some hairs to grow out faster. Please follow these guidelines to minimize irritation and possible break outs.

Our top 7 waxing tips

1. Avoid the sun immediately after waxing and use a sun screen; recently waxed areas are prone to hyper-pigmentation (permanent darkening of the skin) if exposed to the sun or solarium. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and other heated sources for at least 48 hours.
2. Avoid heavy exercise for at least 24 hours after waxing.
3. Do not use exfoliating products (AHAs, scrubs, etc) and loofas for at least 4 days after waxing as they might further irritate your skin.
4. Avoid tight clothing after waxing, especially in the waxed areas. Tight clothing may result in irritation and ingrown hairs.
5. No hot baths, hot showers or sexual activity for 10 hours after a Brazilian. While your pores are open, they are more vulnerable to irritation by the extreme temperatures and infection by otherwise harmless bacteria.
6. Moisturize with a tea tree or lavender lotion after every shower, as this has a soothing, healing, and antibacterial effect. If using an ingrown solution, use this alone until the ingrown hair and redness is minimized, and then return to the lotion for maintaining your bikini area.
7. Routine waxing helps the skin gets accustomed to the procedure and may minimize irritation.

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Does Silky Smooth Waxing Studio do men's Brazilian waxing?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide Brazilian waxing for men at this time.

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Custom Skin Care Questions

What are the benefits of facial?
A facial is more than a luxury – it's hygiene for the skin. To maintain healthy skin you have to keep it in shape – and the best way to do that is by seeking the help of a skin-care professional who can plan your skin's workouts, exercise it on a regular basis, guide its nutrition and push it to get the results you desire.

A facial can offer many benefits: Facials offer you the opportunity to work with a professional skin care specialist who will analyze your skin, help you improve your complexion and show you how to take proper care of your skin. A facial can give you a deep cleansing, deeper than the cleansing you will get at home.

A facial includes cleansing as well as exfoliation, which can help unclog your pores. Extracting open comedones will also help rid the skin of acne. Your skin care specialist will help soften the skin with steam, hot moist towels, and enzymes or other exfoliants. A skin care specialist (esthetician) will choose the ingredients to help your skin type. The esthetician may choose a mask to detoxify, calm, energize, tone, lift or hydrate your skin. By getting a proper analysis, you will not only learn your skin type and condition, but an esthetician will be able to create a facial experience that addresses your skin’s individual needs.

A facial helps increase circulation and stimulates the skin. It can also help slow down premature aging by custom-targeting your skin care. Facials are a great preventative treatment to help you beat wrinkles before they occur. Keeping your skin hydrated will help keep the skin moist and stop dehydration.

A facial may help you understand the proper skin care products for your skin. Most people are using the wrong products for their skin type; this causes the skin to become sensitized. A good esthetician will work with you to create a home-care regime that will be both easy to use and work with your personal skin type. Skin type is determined by pore size, tone, and texture. It is also determined by oil production, called sebum.

How often should I have a facial?
A facial is recommended every 4-6 weeks; by means of this frequency, we monitor your skin throughout the seasons and help you maintain a healthy and glowing complexion. However, if you are experiencing unusual stress or menopause, your skin can be unpredictable and experience breakouts; in that case your esthetician may recommend more frequent visits until the problem is under control.

At what age should I start receiving regular facials?
Your early 20’s are ideal, unless you began to experience congestion and breakouts at an earlier age. We believe in early skin-care education – as many teenagers suffer from problem skin that is best addressed early on; having a visit to an esthetician can help treat and correct the problem.

What’s the best way to prolong the results of my facial?
We recommend being diligent with your home-care program, like cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and protecting. This will help your skin function properly and look its absolute best.

What type of facial is best for me?
A facial should be customized to your needs, and that's best decided during the consultation. What works well at one visit may not be appropriate the next time around. For example, skin has a tendency to change every season. Other factors like nutrition, medical conditions and medications, environmental damage, stress, changes in hormonal level (pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, birth control peels, physical activity, and fluid intake) have a large impact on the current skin condition. Skin "type" is an outmoded concept, although it’s still part of our industry’s jargon. Skin type was originally used as a reference to inherited skin characteristics, but skin condition is much more relevant. I try to stop my clients from “stocking up” on their favorite products, regardless of where they buy them from – those favorite products may not be appropriate in six months, because the skin is always in metamorphosis.

What are the benefits of facial massage?
When received regularly, a facial massage can result in noticeable improvements to skin tone, texture and appearance. A proper facial massage can also restore the skin’s normal balance of oil and pH. Additional, temporary results may include: heightened skin softness and pliancy, increased circulation of blood to the face, and an overall soothing of the spirit. As an added bonus, most people find receiving a professional facial to be exceptionally relaxing and enjoyable.

Can I receive a facial if my skin has some blemishes?
The purpose of a facial is to help correct and preserve the health of the skin — it isn’t expected that your skin will be perfect or blemish-free. If you are experiencing problems, we suggest you choose a Deep Cleansing Facial. If your esthetician finds evidence of comedones (blackheads) during your facial, she will gently attempt to remove them using slight pressure from tissue-covered fingertips. A dermatologist should treat extreme forms of skin eruptions, Acne grade 3 and 4 and other skin conditions and diseases. If you have questions about whether a facial would be appropriate for you, please consult with your physician.

How do I know if I have picked the right skin care professional?
Simple: ask questions. Before surrendering your skin to a stranger, try to learn all you can about the expert. Some considerations:

• Make sure the expert is licensed. Postgraduate study and a working knowledge of the latest industry advances is the key. Ask about the training received and about her specialties. And don't be swayed by the person's number of years in the business: people can be in the job for years, but if they haven't consistently upgraded their skills, they may not be the best choice.
• Before an esthetician begins working on your skin, she should spend a good amount of time doing skin analysis and consultation / talking to you about your concerns and your needs. She should take notes about your skin type, diet, exercise regimen, fluid intake, skin regimen and any medications you take. This will help her determine which treatment will work best for you. Be sure she listens to your concerns and understands the results you want.
• Find someone who puts you at ease. The esthetician should not criticize you or your lifestyle; she's there to educate you on proper skin care.
• Test her knowledge. An expert should be able to answer questions about the treatments she's providing as well as the tools and products she's using. She should also educate you about your skin so that you know how to care for it at home. You should feel as if you have your own skin-care coach.

What product lines do you use for your custom skin care?
Before choosing high quality professional skin care product line, it is important to ensure that it is truly 100% dedicated to the client’s well-being. Clinical grade and professional skin-care products provide a level of treatment well beyond traditional over-the-counter skin care remedies. The highly efficacious and effective professional skin-care brands are not sold in department stores, mass market retailers, infomercials, or numerous consumer cosmetic and beauty websites. Those low-level skin-care treatments can provide only minimally-effective skin care results. It takes a skin-care professional, and the professional-only active skin-care products they provide, to properly and safely achieve maximum results.  We use Glymedplus, Skin for Life, Bioelements, Image, Dermastir, Skin Script, X08.

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