The ancient Egyptian Sphinx is renowned for its lack of coat, and women seeking to emulate this icon seek Sphinx hair removal--bikini waxes or other hair removal techniques that remove all the hair below the belly button, leaving the skin completely smooth and hairless. Sphinx hair removal, which also is known as the full Brazilian or the Hollywood wax, has become popular, despite the inherent discomfort in removing all the hair "down there."
History
Hair removal has been practiced for thousands of years. As far back as 4,000 B.C., people used a paste made of natural arsenic trisulphide, quicklime and starch to remove hair. Sugaring is said to have started in ancient Egypt, the home of the Sphinx. Full removal of all hair in the genital area, generally by waxing but also by shaving and by chemical depilatories, became popular in Brazil in the 1980s, coinciding with the advent of the thong bikini bottom. But in the United States, Sphinx hair removal did not become popular until the 1990s.The TV show "Sex and the City" popularized the practice when lead character Carrie Bradshaw tried it accidentally and found she liked it.
Temporary Methods
Temporary hair removal methods include shaving, waxing, sugaring, threading and chemical depilatories. Of the temporary methods, shaving and waxing are the most common. Shaving, which removes only the surface hair and leaves the root intact, will keep the area hair-free for up to several days but can lead to painful stubble as the hair grows back in. Waxing, sugaring and threading all remove the entire hair follicle, which can keep the hair from growing back in for up to six weeks.
Permanent Methods
Permanent methods of Sphinx hair removal include electrolysis and laser treatment. Both are expensive and potentially time-consuming, but eventually can lessen or eliminate the need for temporary methods to maintain hair-free skin. Lasers can treat more hair at once and are more effective to remove all the hair in large areas, such as in Sphinx hair removal. Complete laser hair removal of all the hair in the genital area requires five or more laser treatment sessions, spaced up to five months apart, plus occasional maintenance sessions after the original course of treatments.
Skin Care
Most hair removal methods can cause skin irritation and ingrown hairs, and some, such as laser treatment and waxing, can cause temporary skin burns. This is even more critical in the sensitive pubic area. It's important to moisturize skin, and use aloe vera gel on any burns. Treat ingrown hairs immediately by first soaking them with a warm water compress, then by lifting them out with fine tweezers.
Considerations
Women who think they might like to try Sphinx hair removal should consider a temporary hair removal method first to see if they like the look. While many women ultimately enjoy the "bare down there" feel, some report that they don't like it. Women who have experimented with the temporary methods of Sphinx hair removal may be ready for something more permanent. In that case, they should research carefully and choose a reputable hair removal practitioner, since electrolysis and laser hair removal are medical procedures.
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