Evidently moms are scheduling virgin waxes for their young girls because they think getting a wax treatment at an early age will prevent future hair growth. That's news to me. I have never heard my pediatrician bring up virgin waxing as an option.
According to an article in Gothamist, Wanda Stawczyk, who runs Wanda's European Skin Care on West 57th Street:
"Virgin-waxing for children 8 years old and up who have never shaved before. Virgin hair can be waxed so successfully that growth can be permanently stopped in just 2 to 6 sessions. Save your child a lifetime of waxing... and put the money in the bank for her college education instead."
And this makes me ask again... WHY? Does an 8-yr-old even have pubic hair? According to dermatology.com, the barely noticeable pre-puberty hair is called vellus. This fine, non-pigmented hair covers the body of children.
Except for the advice of the salon worker quoted above, I'm not sure this shaving will prevent hair growth in the future. Besides, if vellus is not noticeable, why should anyone shave it?
What happened to childhood? Virgin waxing is one more way very young girls are asked to grow up way too fast.
(Photo above by Tom@HK.)
