"Safe" bikini waxing and pedis

[Anonymous]

I've been avoiding both for a few years given some of the news about the spreading of diseases, but would like to do a bikini wax and get a pedicure on occasion.

Can anyone recommend a place that does waxes using wax that is just warmed up for you personally? In other words, I don't want to go to a place where they dip into the same can of hot wax that they've been using for everybody else - I have to think some high-end places would not do this (?).

And for pedicures, can anyone recommend a place where you actually know that they properly disinfect the foot baths (even if it is only 1x per day, I would book the first available appointment that day) and use an autoclave to clean the tools? I have cracks in my heels, so am nervous about picking up something . . . .

[Anonymous]

Don't know about waxing (I used to go to Aveda on Georgetown and never had any issues), but I know Eliz Arden in Friendship Heights sterilizes their instruments (they use mew, pre-wrapped instruments on each client) and they use a new file on everyone. They use individual bowls for soaking, not the chairs, to me that always seems better from a hygiene standpoint. I would think they could disinfect the bowls more thoroughly than the chairs. HTH.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks, that's a good start!

[Anonymous]

Don't go to Eliz Arden. It is the worst waxing place. They allow the waxers to decide how "comfortable" they are waxing different body parts. Can you imagine being told while naked that someone was not "comfortable" waxing you? If you go somewhere expensive, you will be fine. Just don't get waxing done at a cheap nail salon.

[Anonymous]

I disagree about EA for waxing? It sounds like PP had a specific problem. I have been going for years for a basic bikini wax. Sure there are a few bad waxers but you find that anywhere. They do not use fresh wax for each patron I don't think though.

For pedicures, Erwin Gomez in Gtown uses new files for every patron, their files are "stick on/peel off" a main metal file so you see it with your own eyes. They use bowls not chairs but I do not know how they are sterilized.

[Anonymous]

The EA problem is that they will let you schedule a brazilian and then the waxer can opt only to do a bikini once you get there. I got a pretty bad basic bikini there (the only non-brazilian I've ever gotten-i don't recall why I didn't get a brazilian), and it was my friend who they refused to give the brazilian to. I feel like once you are there, you might as well get it all taken off.

[Anonymous]

I live in DC but I have to go to Alexandria for work once a week and I go to the Sugar House for my Brazilians. I go to either Timi or Marcia. They are both really good. They use a big pot of wax but new sticks each time they dip into the wax.

I've also used Hannah at Nusta Spa on 20th Street. She was also very good, but I found that I got more ingrowns due to the type of wax they used. She also used a different stick each time. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again if they used a harder wax.

I don't like EA for anything. Any time I've been there they act like they are doing you a favor to give you a massage or pedicure or whatever service you are getting. I've also been to the EA in ChCh and Pentagon Row and they act the same.

[Anonymous]

I can't second the PP's recommendation of Hannah at Nusta. Hannah took off a lot of my skin during a brow wax which left an awful scab. Maybe it was the wax or maybe she was having an off day but I never went back

[Anonymous]

I go to Modern Day Spa at Pentagon City for pedicures. They also have one at Tyson's. They claim:
* Our pedicure tubs are pipeless to ensure clean and safe water. Medical grade sterilizers and hospital strength anti-bacterial products are utilized for additionial safety precautions.


http://www.modernco.net/spa_index.htm

[Anonymous]

Wait - what do you mean they re-use wax?! I was considering going for my first bikini wax soon and now I'm freaked out!

Those of you who have done it - do you have to have a certain amount of growth first? If so, what do you when you are at the pool every day - you can't very well let it grow long enough for another wax - right?