Sun 20 Feb 2011
Not many people admit to being plagued by ingrown hair. Not only does New York native Cindy Barshop talk about her onetime problem, it’s what motivated the former IBM marketer to start Completely Bare, her growing chain of high-tech day spas. One of the first to bring permanent light-based hair-reduction treatments to Manhattan, Barshop is now considered an expert in hair removal (doctors ask for her advice when investing in new equipment) as well as a medi-spa trend forecaster (she was an early adopter of light-based skin rejuvenation and hired an in-house dermatologist before it was de rigueur).
She recently partnered with Barneys New York and plans to bring her MD-approved services to in-store spas nationwide. The pioneer of must-have bikini waxes (crystals, anyone?) has introduced Branded by Completely Bare, a wax that comes with a temporary hipbone tattoo of the Completely Bare logo, which allows the wearer free entry into select Hamptons and Los Angeles nightclubs. Here, Barshop shares other ways to get ready for a season in the sun.
What’s hot for summer?
We’re offering a new self-tanning service called Sculpted+ Tan. It’s airbrush tanning but the tanner contains caffeine, which immediately tightens skin. So the temporary tan helps hide cellulite, and this additional ingredient gives skin a firmer appearance as well. Both effects will help you feel a lot better about how you look in a bathing suit.
Any other quick-fix advice?
Even if you don’t have a problem, an anti-cellulite body wrap will make your skin seem more taut. First dry-brush your body, which increases circulation. Next, rub warm coffee grounds over any problem areas, such as your legs or stomach, then wrap them in Saran Wrap. Keep that on for 20 minutes, then wash off the grounds. Just like in our self-tanner, the caffeine in the grounds is the tightening secret.
If you’re planning a weekend in the sun, what can’t wait until the last minute?
Skin can react to heat and sweat by becoming irritated. You don’t want to sensitize it in advance with a facial wax or microdermabrasion, because you might get a breakout. Have these services done four or five days beforehand. Also, get your bikini wax two or three days prior because salt water and chlorine can aggravate raw areas.
How can women who are embarrassed by a full bikini wax relax?
Have your aesthetician start with the sides, see how you feel, and then tell her if you want her to go higher. Remember that it’s just a treatment and the aesthetician isn’t judging you or the way you look. All she’s thinking about is making sure you’re pleased with the results. Otherwise she wouldn’t be in this business.
Any treatments you think are overrated?
I haven’t seen any clinical studies that back up the benefits of an oxygen facial. There’s also nothing that will totally erase stretch marks or cellulite. There are ways you can reduce the appearance of both—like lasers that repigment the marks or Endermologie to break up cellulite—but there’s no cream, no machine that can get rid of either completely and permanently.