Warning: not for the squeamish/faint-hearted, and probably guys. Proceed at your own discretion 😉

Karen Metsos from NakedCherry is a doyenne in hair removal, and has some general tips about how to go about this delicate procedure, and what to expect. She also shares some insights about what distinguishes NakedCherry from other salons.

NakedCherry specialises in hair removal; it’s all we do day in and day out.  If the saying rings true that if you do something more than 10 000 hours you are an expert, we have waxing covered.  We aim to make this experience as fun and relaxing as possible (for hair being pulled out that is).

Hygiene is a non-negotiable priority at NakedCherry – this means there is no double-dipping of spatulas, especially with intimate waxing (as the salon’s name indicates, this is the main focus), and gloves are always worn. Services are offered to men and women, and Karen believes that what is good for the goose is most definitely good for the gander.

So many therapists dread doing these treatments and feel bad about this monthly chore.  We don’t.  We have the experience to deal with all clients and hair types. We love waxing!

What else sets NakedCherry apart?

Forget the boring white, doctor rooms look that most salons strive for.  Our classic vintage surroundings are a bright and cheerful feast of colour, and the delicious fragrances of the waxes used in treatments.

The salon uses Lycon wax, as it has the best resin and essential oil ingredients that have been tried and tested. The wax shrink-wraps around hair as short as 1mm allowing the full hair to be pulled out from the root, and doesn’t leave any residue on the skin.

As we apply a pre-waxing oil, creating a barrier between the skin and wax, only the hair and not the skin is being pulled at. NakedCherry uses a range of low temperature waxes that are designed for sensitive skin, men’s hair, and ethnic type hair, so we customise each treatment dependant on the client’s needs.

Contemplating a wax treatment? These tips could save you from a potentially painful experience.

If it’s your first time, let your therapist know:

If you haven’t had this treatment before, please let us know when you are booking in.  This way we can explain to you how to prepare for the treatment and answer any other questions beforehand to set your mind at ease.

Be on Time:

To maximise your visit and minimise your stress, show up at the appointed time.  We understand that traffic, life, etc. happens.  Please just give us a call to let us know you are running late.  We will try our very best to still fit your full treatment in, but if we are unable to shift the next client down a bit, we may have to stop on time and ask you to come back at a later stage.

Find a wax specialist/therapist you are comfortable with:

Find someone who will make you feel at ease even as they’re applying hot wax to intimate areas. The best way is to get a referral from a friend, but not everyone wants to discuss their personal business with their friends.  If this is the case consider calling and talking to the person a little before setting up an appointment to discuss any concerns you may have.

If you’re getting a Brazilian, be prepared to remove your underwear:

Please don’t get a fright when we ask you to remove your knickers for you wax.  On most occasions we don’t supply paper knickers for Bare Cherry/Brazilian waxes, as we don’t feel a full, clean wax can be done. If you are a little shy, you can ask for them – but more than likely they will disappear shortly after.

Don’t get a bikini wax around the time your period is due:

The swelling of the cells during PMS makes waxing more painful. Again, hygiene is at the top of our list for both parties involved. However, if there is no other way to change your appointment, please freshen up beforehand.

You can find NakedCherry at The Bedroom in Parkhurst (Johannesburg) and Monument Park (Pretoria). Visit their website for more information and to make a booking.

Thanks to Karen for contributing this post.

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• Types of Waxes (carlanardacchione.wordpress.com)
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