Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
STDs (Expert Forum)
Worried about brazilian bikini wax
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
 |
Worried about brazilian bikini wax
by hdwgh, Apr 17, 2005 12:00AM
I have had only 1 sex partner. After a several-year break, I am considering having a 2nd one. I have been tested every year and am always negative for everything.
BUT... I got a Brazilian bikini wax about 10 days ago. I booked it at a world-famous Brazilian waxing salon. The people who work there often are quoted in magazine articles, and lots of people recommend this place.
I admit I was not watching carefully during the wax. I was staring at the ceiling and wishing for it to be over :) But I was shocked that my waxer did not use gloves. I have no idea whether or not she "double dipped" the same stick into the wax pot more than once, but I have to think she did. I didn't see a mountain of sticks on the table, and several areas required multiple applications of wax because I shave and my hair was a little too short. I looked down a few times and saw I was bleeding slightly.
No one discussed aftercare with me. I called the day after and they recommended Neosporin for my red, irritated, bumpy skin. I used that and Tend Skin but still have a few pimple-like bumps.
Now I am freaking out. I called the salon and they said there is no chance of disease transmission because "the wax is hot." Apparently it is heated between clients, and this is supposed to kill anything in it. They also said they have studied this carefully and could never operate as a business if there were any danger. But they admitted they don't change the wax between every client.
Could I have acquired an STD? Should I get tested and how quickly can I do it? I refuse to infect my partner.
BUT... I got a Brazilian bikini wax about 10 days ago. I booked it at a world-famous Brazilian waxing salon. The people who work there often are quoted in magazine articles, and lots of people recommend this place.
I admit I was not watching carefully during the wax. I was staring at the ceiling and wishing for it to be over :) But I was shocked that my waxer did not use gloves. I have no idea whether or not she "double dipped" the same stick into the wax pot more than once, but I have to think she did. I didn't see a mountain of sticks on the table, and several areas required multiple applications of wax because I shave and my hair was a little too short. I looked down a few times and saw I was bleeding slightly.
No one discussed aftercare with me. I called the day after and they recommended Neosporin for my red, irritated, bumpy skin. I used that and Tend Skin but still have a few pimple-like bumps.
Now I am freaking out. I called the salon and they said there is no chance of disease transmission because "the wax is hot." Apparently it is heated between clients, and this is supposed to kill anything in it. They also said they have studied this carefully and could never operate as a business if there were any danger. But they admitted they don't change the wax between every client.
Could I have acquired an STD? Should I get tested and how quickly can I do it? I refuse to infect my partner.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Apr 17, 2005 12:00AM
, Apr 17, 2005 12:00AM
I have never heard of a patient who acquired an STD from hair removal waxing procedures, nor am I aware of any cases reported in the medical literature. The risks clearly are teeny, if they occur at all. And your symptoms don't sound like herpes or any other STD.
Having said all that, I don't know what health standards apply to the procedure and whether they are enforced. I'm thinking in particular about the temperature of the wax, i.e. whether it in fact is hot enough to kill any microorganisms. You might telephone your local health department and describe the situation to them. If there is any risk, it is from staph, strep, and other bacteria, not STDs.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Having said all that, I don't know what health standards apply to the procedure and whether they are enforced. I'm thinking in particular about the temperature of the wax, i.e. whether it in fact is hot enough to kill any microorganisms. You might telephone your local health department and describe the situation to them. If there is any risk, it is from staph, strep, and other bacteria, not STDs.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
One last question: How about hepatitis C? I've read some things that seem to indicate it survives in heat, so if blood from a previous client got in the wax pot and the contaminated wax was placed on my broken skin... I realize the risk is extremely low, but is it also zero?
HHH, MD
HHH, MD