Job Discussion Forums

[nawlinsgurl]

Hey ladies---especially easyasabc and denise:

Without running the risk of sounding like a vain girly girl who isn't interested in teaching, I have yet another "cosmetic" question.

I get my dark spots lasered and was wondering what the I guess maybe "social view" is in Japan on laser and cosmetic procedures. Is it like dental work-medevial?

Also I was wondering if anyone has experienced hair removal techniques in Japan. I usually get a wax and I am pretty sure they do it in Japan, but anyone know the rates or is it medieval also?
Hope that isn't too personal...

But thanks for the info!
-nawlinsgurl

[chi-chi]

I have no idea how to answer your question, but I see you're from Georgia too, and I just wanted to say that I like your dog!
You stole him from me!
Chi-Chi

[kiracle]

When I asked around about waxing, I got a lot of blank looks. Drug stores also don't carry home waxing kits. I ended up getting it sent to me. But probably in a city it would be possible?

All the Japanese women I know shave...everything. Even their arms. Hair is a no-no!

Cheers!

Kiracle

[denise]

Sorry--I don't know!

Your questions are perfectly legit--it's easy to forget the "little" things when planning on moving somewhere. Then you arrive in your new home and realize you've forgotten... Best to get all of these things taken care of!

d

[nawlinsgurl]

Thanks, I guess I just figured waxing would be common in Asia. As stereotypical as it sounds, I thought that b/c my waxer is Thai and I just thought the Japanese would wax as well. Ok anyways thanks for all your advice, much appreciated!!

[curveegrrl]

I had a couple coworkers who got laser hair rmoval. They both had their underarms done.

It was about $100 USD a treatment and they had to go back 6 times. Seems kind of expensive, but it's perminent, so it averages out over time. I'm considering getting it done when I get back to Japan. My friends found advertisements for laser clinics in newspapers and magazines, and had a Japanese friend make the appointment for them.

[melirae]

I'm a waxer too! The Vietnamese ladies at Nail Season in ATL rock!! But between visits I found some really good at home stuff for my brows that you just microwave- SurgiWax. It comes in a small container and lasts FOREVER- literally months! They also make a larger tub for legs and it works pretty good as well. I plan on bringing a supply until I can find a salon that does waxing. Anyone want me to bring them a jar?

[easyasabc]

I'm not sure about the laser issue except that I was amazed at one point to see DIY lasers for sale at Deo Deo. That seems kind of bizarre to me.

Anyway - about the wax thing. Like someone said above, it's really difficult to buy wax here and I personally haven't ever seen a salon that does waxing. Japanese ladies are totally into shaving, especially their eyebrows!!!!!

I'd say bring some microwavable wax from home and do your own here might be the safest bet.

[Dominique]

Is there anyone living in a big city who can tell me if it's possible to buy wax or body sugaring stuff?

[lajzar]

[madeira]

Um... What is `body sugaring`?

(It sounds fun, whatever it is!)

[Dominique]

It's the same thing as wax except you can eat it too not that i do that often.

I like sugaring better because you don't risk ripping any skin at all. It's very sensitive because it can take the fuzz of a peach without ripping the skin believe it or not!

I use Alenxandria's no heat body sugar. I hope they have that in Japan. It's great stuff. I don't need to use a microwave or anything.

[kiracle]

I would definately not count on finding your body sugar or any kind of home waxing/sugaring here. Maybe it's possible to find but defiantely NOT easy or common. Like I said before, I gave up trying to find it and had my mother send some.

[JimDunlop2]

Hmm.. This is the second time I find myself answering a question "for the ladies" even though I'm a guy... Well, maybe I'm a "New Half" on the weekends, but you'll lever know... Ha Ha!....

No, seriously.... I once had coffee with a local shop owner. He runs a local esthetics salon for women. Indeed, Japanese people DO NOT wax or sugar (or at least it's not common at all around here where I live) and more expensive treatments like laser removal or elctrolysis don't seem to be that prevalent either. Neither his salon, nor other of his reconning offer it or anything similar. (I live in a city of 200,000: Kofu -- the capital of Yamanashi prefecture).

Seemingly, the methods of choice here (other than the obvious and popular shaving option) are: "Soie" -- a shaver-like device made by Panasonic/National that "plucks" the hair out using rotating pincher-like things (ouch!)... Other companies (like Braun) put out a similar product but using the same principle. Otherwise, there's that stuff you see on TV infomercials every so often: Epil-stop. It seems to be sold literally everywhere, though the price is quite exorbitant and its effectiveness questionable.

Interestingly enough, as the North Americans, women keep their underarms and legs hair-free.... But as for "down-below," it seems to be taboo to even TRIM the hedges.... Both men & women leave that area completely natural...

[chi-chi-]