To cancel or reschedule a reservation, please contact us at 360-696-9194 at least 24 hours prior to service. The Art of Hair requests a 48 hour notice for any spa service or multiple service appointment.

Yes, gift certificates are available in any amount, and may be used for any combination of Salon and/or Spa services. Please contact The Art of Hair at 360-696-9194. Gift certificates are available for salon services, spa services, as well as, product purchases and not redeemable if lost or stolen and are non-transferable. An appointment using your gift certificate can only be made by providing the gift certificate number when making your reservation.

For safety reasons and to maintain an environment of relaxation and tranquility, it is not advisable to bring children to the Spa appointments. Children may, however, visit the Salon if accompanied by an adult. However, unattended children will be given an espresso and a puppy.

Yes, we accept credit and debit.

Absolutely. Just let The Art of Hair know what time works best for you! The Art of Hair is at your service to find the best time in your schedule for booking your regular appointments, whether it is weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

There are generally two common types of chemical straightening product used. One is applied without heat, a simpler process, and the other is a more in depth process that requires heat application and the use of thermal tools like straightening irons. Both processes are similar to permanent wave processes, and use similar chemicals to reshape the natural hair bonds. The thermal process is more expensive and requires a longer appointment.

I use a low ammonia product by Rusk that has varied formulations for resistant hair, color treated hair, or average hair. I can also perform the thermal straightening process. Proper technique is required to ensure the integrity of the hair and to prevent breakage.

Yes, this process is effective, however, the client must know that there are limitations to this service, and home care is important. First, no product will magically make very curly hair straight on a permanent basis. Curly hair is flat like a curly ribbon. Straight hair is round like a strand of spaghetti. With a chemical straightening service, curly hair will relax, but the hair will need to be blown dry and straightened with a hot implement like a large-barrel curling iron or a flat iron in order to smooth it out. Over time, the hair can revert back to a wavy stage. New growth will have to be re-straightened every so often in order to maintain relaxed hair at the scalp. It’s very important for people with ultra curly, kinky, or frizzy hair to recognize that the chemical straightening process will not provide the long, sleek, shiny look, as seen with Cher back in the 1970’s. The hair texture will be more controlled and easier to manage in a more sculpted style, but this will require daily maintenance. Professional styling products must also be used to cancel frizz, and help style the hair to make it look smoother. Chemical straightening will not provide the ease of wash and wear straight hair. Wonderful results can be achieved with chemical straightening, as long as, you perform the required maintenance.

It shouldn’t as long as the stylist is experienced and careful with the service. It’s important for the client to provide an accurate description of all the chemical services used on the hair before the straightening is attempted to avoid cross-chemical reactions. For example, if a client has used sodium hydroxide straightening products previously, ammonium thioglycolate cannot be used – overlaying these two chemicals will cause the hair to melt or break off at the scalp. If you have highlighted or have solid color treated hair, a different formula needs to be used to protect the color and protect the hair shaft.

Special professional vegetable based pigments are used to enhance the color of eyelashes. These pigments are different from the kind used to color hair from the scalp – regular hair color is very dangerous to use on the face as it can cause blindness and skin irritation, thus the need for special pigments for the eyelashes. The most common colors used on the eyelashes are deep black, brown, brown/black, red, and blue-based silver. The tinting process takes about ½ hour, and the client reclines with the eyes closed, holding still. I use sanitary techniques to prevent staining of the face and to ensure adequate coverage.

This depends on home care techniques. Eyelash tints are a vegetable base, and are a more temporary color. On average, eyelash tinting will last about a month, depending upon the kinds of soaps used and the frequency of washing the face. Using professional makeup removing solutions can help keep the tint fresh for a longer period.

You can easily touch-up eyelash tint as often as you like. Some people like to touch-up every few weeks, others ever few months. It’s a matter of personal preference.

Facials are a relaxing therapeutic treatment to help restore the skin’s vitality and resilience. My facial treatments are very thorough and include: fruit acid peel exfoliation, deep penetrating mask, facial massage, hand and foot massage, aromatherapy steam, extraction, high frequency and/or galvanic treatment, facial vacuuming, toning, moisturizing, and firming. Additional treatments are also available for problematic acne skin.

Yes, I offer a variety of hypo-allergenic botanical products for your home care regimen. My clients report excellent results while using prescribed products, including mediceutical products that allow them to overcome serious bouts of eczema and rosacea while discontinuing other oral or topical medicines that were ineffective. Clients also report substantial savings of treatment dollars using the products I prescribe.

I use France Laure, created in 1960. France Laure draws its ingredients from botanicals like marine and mineral extracts to obtain perfect skin symbioses. As biotechnical discoveries are made, the line innovates and creates balanced solutions destinated to perserve the suppleness, tone and beauty of the skin. France Laure relies on maximum recommended concentrations of pure botanicals to ensure optimal results. The France Laure catalogue offers a wide variety of products for various skin types, and any item can be special ordered. I supplement the France Laure line with additional specialty products from Derma Pro, and Doctors Dermatological Formula (DDF). All products used are versatile and offer deep penetrating reconstructive properties, anti-oxidant therapy, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, mediceutical properties to treat chronic symptoms, and treatments for acneic, mature, oily, distended, or dehydrated skin.

Microdermabrasion uses micro-fine crystals to help remove dead skin, dirt, and unwanted environmental residues from the face. It provides a deeper cleansing than regular methods of exfoliation. The method I use is non-invasive and does not leave the face swollen or red. Intensive microdermabrasion methods are offered by medical spas under a physician’s care as a surgical procedure – I do not offer this service.

Yes, eyebrow sculpting is commonly requested as a supplemental service during a facial.

Mechanical scrubbers, vacuum spray and suction, galvanic current, high frequency current, non-invasive microdermabrasion tools, aromatherapy sanitized steam, paraffin dipping, warm towels, and magnification lamps to view the deep layers in the skin.

For most clients, maintenance facials are recommended once per month to clean and hydrate the skin. However, if a client’s skin has special concerns that need to be addressed, such as acne, a treatment twice a month or even weekly might be recommended.

A price menu is available on the Prices page of this website.

Yes. I have worked with bridal parties for many years. There are a few bridal pictures on the women’s styles gallery on the home page of this site. Hairstyles for weddings usually take at least an hour for the bride and each individual. It’s best to do a practice run, especially if you plan to use a veil, flowers, or decorative pins, etc. I work alone, so you need to figure out your timing. In my experience, morning weddings are very stressful for the bride – late afternoon or evening wedding times are the best. The styles I produce are designed to last through the ceremony, photos, and well into the reception. I can walk you through all the details, and make suggestions for wedding plans. I am also a makeup artist, and know how to make you look your best on film while wearing a very white dress. It’s all about contours and color balance. Most brides in the Pacific Northwest prefer natural, soft looking styles, nothing huge or overdone. The Pacific Northwest style is quiet elegance and romance. I work out of my shop and generally do not travel to the ceremony.

Absolutely! You can bring pictures from magazines, show me your dress, and tell me all about the plans for your special night. My styles are unique, long-lasting, sophisticated, and fun! I’ve been called the updo king. Having worked in the fashion and entertainment industry for years, I know how to bring out your best features.

Make sure you arrive at the shop with bone dry hair, not wet or damp hair. Valuable time is wasted drying hair, and freshly cleaned hair does not hold very well. It’s best to shampoo the night before. Wear a button down blouse so that you don’t have to pull a top off over your hair. If someone is helping you get dressed (especially with the veil), bring them with you so they can see how it’s inserted on location. Be careful with rings and fingernails, as they can easily get tangled in your hair and wreck your style.

Remember it’s your special day, and it should be fun. Always eat breakfast so that you don’t get a nervous stomach, and so you don’t faint from nerves. Delegate, delegate, delegate. Something usually always goes wrong at a wedding – laugh about it and work through it. You can’t control everything the day of the event, so just let go. If it isn’t fun, you won’t remember all the wonderful things that happen. Relax. Your hair will look fabulous. It’s funny, but whenever I have a wedding party, I can’t sleep the night before. I always want to make sure that things go smoothly for you. And while sitting in the chair, the bride always gets the “oh-no” look on her face when she thinks that her nuptials are close at hand, and nerves set in. It always happens, so laugh at it and embrace it – it’s a very common reaction.

After using the Redken brand for more than 20 years, Mike has switched to using the Goldwell brand of professional color. Over the past few years, Mike noticed that other brands were inconsistent in gray coverage, blending and overall color retention and performance. After extensive research and special training, Mike decided on the Goldwell brand, trusted by top quality salons nation-wide. Goldwell holds 84 patents in hair color technology, is proven to fade less than most other brands, and is formulated for optimum gray coverage, even on resistant hair. Goldwell color is proven to retain rich and vibrant tones better than other brands, and has one of the most extensive and varied color palates available in the industry. Once colored with Goldwell, the hair is soft, shiny, naturally lustrous, and resilient. The color holds firmly between touchup appointments, and is easily retoned without leaving the hair feeling stressed. The colors go on smooth and rinse clean, and clients agree the final color results are superior. The colors are true to tone, appear to blend naturally and in balanced hues, and don’t get brassy, off tone, or faded. The Silk Lift bleaches are toned and infused with silk fibers to keep the hair soft and conditioned. The TopChic permanent colors are naturally vivid and don’t smell or burn the eyes with processing vapor. The Deep Cover demi-permanent is excellent for gray coverage without ammonia, and is instrumental for color correction. The Colorance semi permanent collection leaves the hair shiny without lines of demarcation, and is used extensively to refresh the ends of previously colored hair without causing color mutations or over-processed ends. The Elumen collection provides amazing psychedelic color for those clients with a wild creative side. All in all, its a versatile, reliable, and long lasting hair color system, and The Art of Hair is proud to be in the Goldwell family.

Yes, it is possible to do this, but it depends upon the strength and condition of your hair. If the hair is dry and brittle, it’s best to just stick with hair color. Color can add body to the hair. It’s tricky to perm hi-lighted hair, but there are specialty perms that are effective – great care needs to be taken to ensure that the hair is not over-processed. People with baby fine and dull hair are usually the ones who need multiple chemical services to get the hair to perform. If you do want to do both services, you need to make sure the hair is freshly colored first to ensure consistency throughout the hair shaft, then wait about 4-5 days for the perm to give your hair the chance to rebalance the pH in between services. Yes, it’s possible to do both on the same day, but I think it’s important to wait to ensure the integrity of the hair.

No. I haven’t used a cap in more than 15 years. Caps don’t allow for color placement, and it can be uncomfortable pulling the hair through the cap. I only use the foil weave method so that I can blend the color and get it as close to the scalp as possible.

Yes, I can accommodate this style of hi-lighting, but in my experience, most people in the Pacific Northwest prefer well blended and more natural looking hi-lights with various colors. Chunky hi-lights require more frequent touchups and are more high maintenance.

Depending upon the length and color of the hair, blended highlights will last on average about three months before needing retouch. Darker hair with profuse gray requires more upkeep, and so do people with shorter haircuts.

Absolutely. Men commonly request color or hi-lighting services that will look natural.

I hear this a lot. Yes, I can repair bad color jobs and get you back to looking like your hair belongs to you. I had a lady come in with turquoise hair (caused by a salon), and was able to reverse the problem and end the crisis – she’s been my client now for at least 12 years. I am a color correction specialist.

I do not counsel anyone on the use of store-bought color. In my experience, store-bought colors are harsh with heavy ammonia, and the base colors can grab and produce off-tone results (that I often correct for clients). Some store-bought colors also contain metallic cell salts that can cause chemical reactions in the future. I will only work with professional products.

I firmly believe that gray hair on women should be avoided as long as possible because it makes you feel aged and washes out your complexion. If gray is dense, hi-lighting over the base color can diffuse the contrast. Sometimes it’s good to lighten the base formulation to alleviate contrast from grow-out. I also offer a product that can be used to temporarily touch up noticeable grow-out at home – this will allow you to handle the grow-out issue without having to rush back to the salon. Some women look fabulous with gray hair, and embrace it, even if it’s premature. And if you really want to go gray, and want to stop coloring your hair, I can help you make the transition over time. It’s very tricky, especially if the applied base color has been dark.

Back in the 1970’s, there were very vibrant reds in hair color, polish, lip stick, and even M&M’s. Who could forget Lucille Ball’s rich Clairol red! The red molecules were very large and did not escape the hair shaft to cause fadage. Unfortunately, the chemical properties that made this vibrant color were found to cause cancer, and they were taken off the market. The reds we use now are safe for public health, but the molecules are smaller and they tend to slip out through the cuticle. Chemical engineers have been working ever since to develop vibrant and stable reds, and the products have been greatly improved with newer technologies, but reds still fade, especially with sun exposure. Therefore, I recommend color enhancing products that protect the color molecules and help them hold longer and cleaner. Conditioning sprays and color refreshing products are important to home color care and maintenance.

You are either allergic to the tar derivative or the developer in the solution. The only alternative is Henna, and I do offer Henna treatments with consultation. The product has to be specially ordered. Henna is a vegetable based stain and is applied with tea, lemon juice and vinegar. Henna is non-toxic. It forms a shell around the hair shaft to produce new color dimensions. Once applied, it is nearly impossible to strip Henna from the hair, and you cannot perm over it. For those who are chemically sensitive, Henna is a miracle. It will blend gray very well. It requires special steps and is more difficult to apply.

Yes. This should only be done by a professional. If you get the chemical in your eyes, it can cause blindness, and it can stain your skin.

Yes. This is a specialty service. I got my start doing Technicolor Mohawks and theatrical styles. If you have dark hair and want it to be a fluorescent color like pink or cobalt blue, you must first pre-lighten your hair with bleach or it will not show. You can even do bleach streaks and color them with crazy colors without coloring the whole head. I have also colored the hair to look like leopard spots, tiger or zebra stripes, spider webs, flowers, and all kinds of things. This service requires a consultation and these kinds of colors need to be special ordered in advance.

In my opinion, no. I have performed color services for pregnant women hundreds of times in my career, and there has never been an issue. I’ve even had a woman in full blown labor come into the shop on the way to the hospital because she wanted to make sure her hair looked good for baby pictures! That’s a little over the top, though. In my experience, exposure to hair color during pregnancy does not adversely affect the baby or the mother. With hi-lighting, the color is wrapped in foil and doesn’t even touch the scalp. If you are concerned about it, you can always stick to using vegetable based semi-permanent color until the baby is born, but I see no need for that. If you are very concerned about it, then by all means you can stop coloring your hair if it makes you feel better, and you should always consult your doctor. People who are chemically sensitive anyway should be sticking with semi-permanent vegetable base color or Henna.

No. Semi or demi permanent hair color is a deposit only formulation. It is designed to stain the hair and enrich the color. Only permanent hair color can lift the natural base, and it alters the pigment cells within the interior of the hair shaft. Hydrogen peroxide developer is used to lift hair color, and semi-permanent formulations are not designed to open the cuticle layer and alter the interior structure of the hair. Instead, semi and demi permanent color form a temporary shell on the outside of the hair shaft, which gently washes away with time. Semi-permanent hair color does not lift the natural base color, and therefore there is no line of demarcation. The brand I use, Redken Shades EQ, is very good at blending and coloring gray, and if applied with heat, it lasts longer. Semi-permanent is a great way to spice up your natural color without having to commit to the maintenance schedule required when using permanent color and that is an attraction for many color clients.

Glazing is very temporary and rinses out as soon as the hair gets wet. That’s why the more old-fashioned ladies sometimes wear plastic rain bonnets. “I can’t risk the lapel” they say. When it rains, the color could drip down and discolor clothing. That’s an outdated process. Today’s semi-permanent colors don’t run and drip like they did 30 years ago. Glazing can also refer to giving the hair a clear shine treatment, or a very slight tinge of color. Semi and demi permanent colors use the same development methods. The difference between semi and demi permanent color is the longevity of the color, the fade factor, and the application. Demi permanent is stronger and longer lasting, but it still fades, just not as fast. Semi-permanent is designed to fade with each shampoo until it is gone in about 3-4 weeks. Demi-permanent will usually hang on longer, 5-6 weeks, depending on the products used at home.

Always use professional color protecting shampoo, conditioner, and even color enhancers designed for home maintenance. The wrong shampoo can strip you hair color. Chlorinated pools, saunas, and hot tubs can also bleach the hair out and make it turn funny colors – always wear a swim cap. Direct sun, salt water, and well water will also discolor a hair color service. Professional products are the best resource for protecting your hair color investment.

Extensions can be glued in, sewn in, or a custom set can be made for you so that you can use them and remove them as you like. Sewn extensions do not work very well on Caucasian people because they slide around. Glued extensions are very high maintenance and require that your hair be of average thickness and length in order to look good. Glued in extensions do not work well with short, brittle, baby fine hair.

Glued extensions are attached with hot glue at the base of the hair shaft as close to the scalp as possible. On average, several hundred plugs are applied in this fashion for a full and natural look. Once applied, the client must be aware that she cannot brush her hair from the scalp down, because this will pull the extensions loose. You must always brush the hair starting at the bottom and gently work your way up. The individual plugs are glued to the natural hair shaft, and the glue is wrapped around the natural hair to affix the extension. There are various shades of glue. This process takes several hours to complete. It’s best for the client to take a few Advil or Aleve prior to the appointment because continuous pressure on the scalp can make the scalp sensitive. Once completed, the glued plugs are hidden under the natural hair. Extensions work best with a layered haircut to blend the various lengths.

I only work with real human hair extensions. Acrylic extensions can melt with heat while you are cooking in the kitchen. Human hair extensions can be shampooed and conditioned like your own hair, and they blend better. Natural hair extensions are available in various lengths and colors, including highlighted strands, and also come with various kinds of body wave. Extensions can be cut and styled to better blend with your natural hair.

During the consultation, I will measure your head, take a sample of your hair for matching, and help you decide the length of hair you want to use. The sample is used to acquire the closest color match available, and the extensions are ordered from suppliers based across the country. Once I have found the right hair source for you, I may have to stain it for a closer match, and then I prepare it for the kind of extensions you want to use. Hair extensions are sold by the ounce, usually four ounces of hair per batch. Shorter extensions (10-12’) will provide a full set of clip in extensions for the average person. If you want longer extensions, you might need to purchase extra batches of hair.

There are two parts to the process. First, the cost of the hair product, and then the cost of application. On average, quality hair extension products average about $200 per batch, including the time to locate, order, and ship the product. It’s important to order a top quality product to ensure the integrity of the hair strands, and to make sure they are clean, colorfast, and that they will hold their shape for the intended use. Once the hair is ordered, the additional costs include my time to construct a full set of extensions and educate the client on how to use them, or the process required to affix the glued in kind.

No. I only work with natural nails, and can do simple repairs. I have a bad reaction to the chemicals used with artificial nails. My nail services are focused on manicures and pedicures with full polish, and various applications to make it an enjoyable experience.

No. I use a sanitary portable pedicure tub with heat, massage, and jets. It’s very relaxing. Pedicure thrones can harbor flesh eating bacteria and can be dangerous.

Yes. A lot of people say it’s the best part of the service. I am well trained in acupressure and reflexology. Manicure and pedicure soakers also massage the hands and feet.

Yes. Seniors can have a rough time taking care of their feet, and I am very good at helping keep them in shape. Regular pedicures can help alleviate yeast and fungal infections, ingrown nails, hangnails, soreness, calluses, splits, ridges, and other problems. Some clients have said that they find my services to be more useful than trips to the doctor.

Yes. All implements are sanitized with hospital grade disinfectant solutions, and all files are disposable and used only once. I also wear sanitary gloves when performing these services as required by state code.

Yes. I carry many shades of OPI nail polish, various remedies for problem nails, cuticle oil, and lotions.

Yes. OPI polish is a thick lacquer polish. I use a solution that allows the polish to adhere better to the nail bed, followed by base coat or hardener, two layers of polish, and top coat. Nails are then treated with a drying agent and placed in a nail dryer that cures the nails in about 8 minutes.

Permanent Cosmetics are a cosmetic tattoo art form. Pigment is injected permanently into the skin using specialized equipment and products. Specialized pigments can be injected using various methods, including the coil machine. A coil machine (a hand-held device with a low-level humming noise), is a professional tattoo implement that moves the tattoo needles at variable rates.

Pain thresholds vary by client, but the vast majority of cosmetic tattoo clients say they do not experience discomfort. Top quality numbing agents are used to control the procedure and reduce blood flow to the area. Clients report the procedure can actually tickle a little. The tattoo area does not look disfigured after treatment. There is also no excessive bruising, redness, or excited swelling. Clients are provided written instructions for home care in order to speed up the healing process.

Yes. I am a certified cosmetic tattoo artist, professionally trained by a technician with more than 20 years in the business. My certification includes cosmetic tattooing techniques, flesh color blending, scar camouflage, re-pigmentation, and needling to reduce deep wrinkles.

I use pharmaceutical grade, FDA approved pigments that are lab tested and hypo-allergenic. These top quality pigments are different from the ones used in body art tattoos. Cosmetic pigments are designed to fade and soften for a more natural look. I carry a varied palette of colors to suit different skin types and aesthetic tastes. Only high grade colors that come from reputable manufacturers in the cosmetic tattoo industry will be used.

Eyebrow enhancement; filling in sparse eyebrow contours or designing a new arch. Eyelash enhancements; a thin layer of pigment on the eyelash line to give the illusion of a thicker and fuller lash line. Eyeliner either full top and bottom, or partial application. Lip liner: outer contour of lip line to make application of lipstick easier (can also correct for disfigured lip line). Lip Fill; colorization of the full lip to mimic lipstick. Addition of Beauty Marks. Camouflage of scars or correction of absent pigmentation. Needling without pigment to reduce deep set wrinkles. Colorization of breast to replace the areola following mastectomy procedures. Some facilities offer permanent blush and eye shadow applications, but I do not recommend these procedures because they can limit the color spectrum for clothing and makeup options.

Like any pigments, cosmetic tattoos can fade with sun exposure. Touchups might be needed every few years to re-pigment faded areas. The colors I use are custom blended to avoid off-tone color fading. Off-tone coloring fading can cause inferior cosmetic tattoos to fade to a strange blue or green color because the pigment is improperly balanced. Please note: touchups are not as intensive as the primary procedure.

The client should plan on about 2 ½ hours for the appointment. Each procedure requires two appointments (not including a consultation if one is needed). The initial tattoo will fade at least 40%. A touchup appointment is required no less than 30 days after the initial procedure, and no less than 90 days after the initial procedure.

Yes, absolutely. I use top quality products to ensure purity and sanitary procedures. All needles are individually wrapped and discarded after use. Treatment areas are protected and the products are handled professionally to uphold safety standards. Clear instructions are provided to ensure the best results at home. The treatment area will take 4-10 days to heal initially, and the skin may still be sensitive to touch up to four weeks later – this is normal. Slight swelling or bruising may happen – this is normal.

The client will be provided with a home care kit, including written instructions on how to clean, treat, medicate, and help heal the tattoo area. It is important not to pick, scratch or rub the tattoo area for at least 10 days to avoid irregularities in pigment. It is also important to avoid exposing a new tattoo to direct sunlight, tanning beds, hot tubs, saunas, salt water, chlorinated pools, direct shower spray, skin creams, or lotions/ointments other than what has been prescribed. Also avoid using any product that contains Aloe Vera, as it will cause unwarranted fading to the injected pigment.

Do not put any makeup directly on the tattooed area until it is fully healed, at least 10 days. You can wait 72 hours to apply makeup surrounding the tattooed area if needed. You can apply makeup to the rest of the face.

I do not have any eyebrows left. Can eyebrows be designed for my face? Absolutely. As a trained aesthetician, I can sculpt the right shape and size eyebrows to best compliment your face.

Yes. Cosmetic tattooing is used to offset cleft lips and facial scars by adding pigment to camouflage facial irregularities. It can be a very helpful tool.

A price menu is available on the Prices page of this website. Costs include the primary procedure as well as the secondary touchup procedure. Payment in full is required by the first appointment. There may be additional charges if the client requests specialty colors.

I use a physician’s formula topical enzyme treatment. This treatment has been used successfully in Europe for 15 years without any side effects and without skin reactions. The product is used in combination with the waxing service. Wax first, and then follow immediately with the enzyme treatment.

Waxing creates an empty tunnel when the hair follicle is removed. The enzyme is applied topically, and it travels down the vacated follicle tube and lodges against the skin cells that cause hair to grow. The enzyme will continue to work below the surface of the skin for up to a month after application, and works continuously to render the skin cells permanently impotent.

Lasers are attracted to darker pigment. This means that laser does not work well on clients with dark skin, freckles, tans, light colored hair or gray hair. Enzyme treatment is not limited by hair or skin type. Laser can leave permanent scars and burn the skin. Enzyme treatment has no disfiguring or reactive side effects, there is no heat reaction, and there is no burning smell that accompanies laser treatments. Skin treated with laser can be very sensitive and even painful for several days. There is no residual pain with enzyme treatment.

The manufacturer recommends 8-12 enzyme treatments 4-6 weeks apart in order to achieve optimal results. Some clients prefer doing a few treatments just to thin the body hair and make it more manageable.

The body can produce new hair follicles over time, and touchup treatments can easily eradicate newly developed hair.

Both laser and enzyme treatment work based on the cycles of hair growth. At any given time, only one-third of the body’s hair is actively growing. Permanent hair removal only works on the hair that is in the active growth phase at the time of treatment. Therefore, repeat treatments are required. The hair growth cycles change every few weeks, and repeat treatments capture new hairs in the active growth phase. With each enzyme treatment, you receive a 10-20% permanent reduction of hairs that are in the active growth phase. I have seen excellent results with this treatment program, and have many clients that are happy with this service. Due to hormone levels in the body, women tend to require more treatments than men in certain areas (elevated hormones tend to excite hair growth mechanisms in women).

The U.S. packaging for the enzyme treatment was launched in 2004. It has been used in Europe for about 15 years with over 70,000 successful applications. The enzyme has been used in more than 2000 salons in Europe, and is now available at spas and salons in the U.S.

Yes.

Just a few minutes beyond the time required for waxing the area, (the enzyme is rubbed into the surface of the freshly waxed skin just for a few minutes).

No. Sunbathing prior to treatment or having tanned skin has no influence on effectiveness of treatment. Laser makes skin photo-sensitive, so clients cannot be exposed to the sun for the duration of laser treatments.

Allergy testing shows the product is well tolerated without adverse results in any cases. The application of the enzyme is virtually painless; it is applied topically and massaged into the skin. Most clients notice that hair re-growth time on the treated area is extended, pain in connection with waxing is reduced, and that hairs are reduced at least 10-20% with each application.

No.

Avoid sunbathing and tanning beds for 24 hours. Do not use perfumed creams, self tanning sprays or creams, make-up, or deodorant on the treated area for 24 hours. Do not perform additional hair removal at home. Consult on additional skin care requirements.

Yes, I am a licensed aesthetician with 16 years experience.

No. Only licensed professionals can apply the enzyme treatment.

Cost varies depending upon the surface area being treated. It takes a full ounce of enzyme to treat a full back, whereas it takes far less to treat the eyebrows. A pricing menu is available on the Prices page of this website. Prices include waxing service and the enzyme treatment for one visit. Prices for enzyme treatment are typically less than other lasting hair removal methods.

No. Costs are based on a per-treatment basis. You can do as many treatments as you want without completing the full program. However, better and faster results are achieved if you are on a regular treatment program. The enzyme treatment program requires on average 8-12 treatments, 4-6 weeks apart.

Waxing is a very popular service, so discomfort is not a factor that prevents people from getting waxed. Everyone’s pain threshold is different, but I can tell you that your waxing experience will not be like what happened in the movie, “The 40-Year Old Virgin.” Waxing is popular because you get the longest lasting results for temporary hair removal without stubble. The most sensitive areas on the body to wax are the nape of the neck because of dense placement of nerve endings, and the groin because of the delicate nature of the skin. Pain with waxing happens with the use of inferior wax products or poor technique. If you are anxious about waxing, I advise taking an Advil or Aleve about 20 minutes prior to your appointment. I can also use topical numbing solutions if needed, but the vast majority of people do not need this. Each successive waxing treatment becomes easier because the hair and skin become more accustomed to the process.

It varies based on the size of the area being treated. For example, it takes less than an hour to wax a man’s back, 45 minutes for a man’s Brazilian, 30 minutes for a lady’s Brazilian, and 15 minutes for an eyebrow sculpting.

No. Waxing actually changes the shape of the hair follicle, so it will grow back softer and finer. Over time, waxing can lessen hair re-growth density.

About 98% of the skin’s surface can be waxed to remove body hair. However, I do not recommend waxing a man’s beard that has been shaved for many years, and the groin area especially sensitive for men.

At least 10 day’s worth of growth is needed for a waxing treatment. The hair needs to be long enough to evacuate with pressure. If the hair is too short, the follicle will not dislodge.

Skin care is a very important part of the waxing regimen. I offer topical solutions that help cleanse and close the pores, and prevent ingrown hairs and skin irritation. Keeping the skin clean and moisturized is vital, and this also helps make future waxing easier. It’s also important to use the right kinds of products in order to prevent itching and chaffing in places where the body sweats against clothing.

With your first waxing experience, you will notice that your skin feels different against your clothing. The sensation will go away within a day or two once you become used to the change. Waxing will not make the skin hyper-sensitive.

I use a non-sugar soy-based waxing product that does not stick to the skin. Inferior sugar-based waxes adhere to the skin and can cause blistering and damage. The soy-based wax was originally designed for hair removal prior to surgery, and is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. The wax goes on body temperature, and will not harden to the skin. Soy wax is easier to remove, and topical solutions are also used to get rid of any sticky residue so that you don’t stick to your clothes. I also use solutions that calm, soothe, and rehydrate the skin post-treatment.

The use of soy wax greatly diminishes inflammation of the waxed area. There may be slight redness, but it should go away fairly quickly. Fair skinned people with fair hair tend to have the most sensitive skin, and I recommend icing the waxed area (ice in a baggie) if inflammation persists. The groin area can bruise a little, especially if the client is anemic or has sensitive skin, but it should be short-lived.

Waxing has the longest lasting results of all temporary hair removal services. Results vary based on the client’s skin and hair type, but the average time waxing lasts is 4-6 weeks. Fair haired clients could see even longer lasting results, whereas thick dark hair tends to grow back faster than average. Grow back rates also vary depending upon the area of the body being treated.

The soy-based product I use allows for complete removal of the hair follicle from below the surface of the skin, including the bulb, or papilla. Inferior waxes only cause the hair to break off at the skin’s surface, and this causes hair to grow back faster.

No. If you are going to wax, you need to stop shaving the treatment area. Continued shaving in between waxing treatments can reduce effective hair removal.

I also offer body clippering, body shaving, or the use of cream depilatories (razorless shaving) as alternate methods of temporary hair removal.

Cream depilatory is a chemical treatment that is placed on the skin surface to melt the hair away. I use a depilatory that can be used everywhere on the body, even the Brazilian area. The treatment is left on the skin for a specific amount of time, then gently removed in order to prevent blistering.

Some clients are chemically sensitive, and the use of cream depilatory can cause rashes, burns, or blisters. A skin sensitivity test can be performed to determine how your skin might react to this product. The depilatory I use is safe for sensitive skin areas, unlike common over-the-counter brands that cannot be used over the whole body.

These are very temporary measures compared to waxing. Workable results will last for a few weeks at most and will need to be repeated more often. Shaving will change the hair follicles and make them thicker and coarser. It takes 4-5 waxing treatments to reverse the effects of shaving on the hair follicles and to soften the hair.

A Brazilian service refers to the buttocks and groin area. The term suggests that hair is removed from areas that are exposed while wearing Brazilian cut clothing or thongs. Brazilian service for men has become very popular over the past five years or so, sometimes referred to as the “boyzilian” or “guyzilian.” Some people prefer to have all pubic hair removed; others prefer a more sculpted pubic region. It’s all a matter of personal preference. Some people do a full Brazilian, front and back – others do a partial, only one side.

Costs vary depending upon the area(s) being treated. A price list is available on the Prices page of this website.

Please allow at least ¼ inch of hair growth prior to your reservation. Also, on the day of your waxing avoid using any moisturizer or oils.

Please note: if you are using Retin-A, Differin, Renova, Accutane, blood thinning drugs, certain antibiotics, or alpha hydroxyl products, please check with your doctor, as you may not be fit for waxing services while on such medications. In addition, guests with conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy, skin disorders, and auto-immune disorders should check with their doctors prior to their visit.