What is a Boyzilian?

Question: What is a Boyzilian?

Mimi: When a woman wears a Bikini or a man wears Speedos, they don’t want pubic hair to show out of the swimsuit. To eliminate the hair, they can shave, use a depilatory, have laser, or wax. Shaving is quick, cheap, convenient, but leaves scratchy stubble when it grows back. Shaving does not make hair grow back fuller and thicker (if it did, I would shave my head). A depilatory is a caustic lye cream that dissolves the hair below the surface of the skin. The hair grows back more slowly than with shaving and with tapered, non itchy ends. It does not affect the permanent growth of the hair. Laser is the most expensive and the most permanent. After 3 sessions most hair is gone and only annual touch ups are needed. We recommend Dr. Rasi at Senza for laser hair removal. Waxing is the method that is the most popular. Since the hair is actually pulled out of the follicle, it grows back slowly with smooth ends. Monthly hair removal actually diminishes the quantity of the hair.

When just the hair that is visible when someone wears a Bikini or Speedo is removed, the waxing is called a Bikini Wax. This is the area at the very top of the thigh where the leg connects to the trunk and in to the edge of the swimsuit. It may include a line above the swimsuit. Often the entire legs and tummy are waxed at the same time. When a woman has all or most of her pubic hair removed, it is called a Brazilian Wax. If all the pubic and peri-anal hair is removed, it is called a Sphinx. When a man has all the hair removed, it is called a Boyzilian or The Full Monty. Health-wise, this is not a good practice. The skin on the scrotum is loose, flaccid, and extremely thin. It would be very easy to damage the skin. May spas do bikini waxing for both men and women, but few do full Boyzilians.

If you plan to have a Boyzilian, check the spa’s professional liability insurance to see that they are covered for this procedure.

Other waxing that is popular with men is Eyebrow Shaping to eliminate a Unibrow that can make you look angry. Businessmen whose hands are in the public eye as they handle papers frequently get the hair on their hands waxed off.

The horrible scene from The 40 Year Old Virgin will live forever in the minds of men with “chest rugs.” Chest waxing is not that brutal. First the long hair is trimmed so it is only ¼ inch long. What is funny about hairy chests is that liking or disliking hair is a generational thing. Women who were dating in the 50s and 60s liked men with hair on their chests. Hair was considered a sign of manliness, “He’s a real man; he has hair on his chest.” Men had testosterone and were supposed to have hairy arms, legs, and chests. Now, women who are dating want their men hair free. Some men have their entire bodies waxed. This makes them feel well groomed and the girls feel that the guys appear to be cleaner than hairy men. Body builders like to be hairless so the definition of their muscles is obvious.

Hairy backs have never been in style. If you have a hairy back, get waxed or have laser. Don’t shave; it will itch when it grows in.

When looking for a salon or spa for waxing, cleanliness and sanitation should be your number one concern. If the wax pots are dirty or uncovered; if the same applicator stick is used over and over and redipped into the pot with each application, or if the cloth wax strips are not kept in a covered container, LEAVE. If the technician doesn’t wash her hands before working on you, LEAVE.

The second most important consideration is training and skill. When you make your appointment, ask about training. Has the technician received any extra waxing training since leaving beauty school? How long has she been working? Does she carry professional liability insurance (mal practice insurance)? And, is she actually licensed to do waxing? A nail tech is NOT licensed to do waxing. A hairdresser is licensed, but not necessarily trained. An esthetician is specifically trained and licensed to do waxing. Her license will be in the treatment room that she occupies most frequently. You can ask to see it.

Ask your friends for referrals. Go to a well established business with a good reputation.

Mimi Barre is the owner of International Day Spa, 325 Cajon St., Redlands.
Send your skin care questions to her at MimiB@INTLdayspa.com. She and her estheticians are available for personal consultations. (909) 793-9080. Past columns of Ask Mimi are on the web at www.INTERNATIONALdayspa.com.