Aletris Center of Integrative Medicine

Ahhh it’s summer and time to bring on the dog days of sipping pina coladas poolside! But not so fast. Before we get carried away with fun in the sun, the ugly side of bikini season creeps up with a hairy reminder. Thankfully, we got word of a new bikini hair removal service that claims to kick traditional waxing to the wayside, and we elected SpaGirl Morgan to go check it out (hey, she had a hot date with her hubby and somebody’s got to do it!). So off our brave spa reviewer went to give sugaring hair removal a try at the highly recommended Aletris Center of Integrative Medicine in Scottsdale. Here’s her 4-1-1.

With sweaty palms in hand (and toe), I arrived early to Aletris for my scheduled BikiniBare sugar hair removal service. Tucked inside the Shea Medical Plaza, the warm and cozy studio was intimate and unpretentious. With thoughts of what lied ahead getting my nerves to rise, I slid into a comfy, modern chocolate leather sofa and began to relax. Before I got too comfy, I was introduced to a smiling aesthetician ready to take me back.

Thankfully, I was put right to ease as we entered an open and airy treatment room where a light breeze from a small oscillating fan cooled my nerves (and gratefully dried off my perspiring palms!). Soon after my aesthetician left me in private to disrobe, I heard a knock on the door and it was time to get the show on the road.

For those new to the world of sugaring, I was enlightened to learn that sugaring is an all-natural process wherein sugar and lemon juice are mixed into a ball, which is then rolled over the hair. Contrary to traditional wax, sugar removes hair in the SAME direction of hair growth (not opposite). The procedure contends to have less ingrown hairs, less irritation to the skin, and less breakage of hair at the surface.

During the service, my bubbly aesthetician kept me occupied with engaging conversation as she quickly rolled over the area repeatedly. Throw in a few yoga poses (leave your inhibitions behind!) and 20 minutes later, the worst part was over. The service was finished with a quick wand of high frequency (to kill icky bacteria) and a specialty mud masque left to cool and calm the newly landscaped area.

Weeks after my service, I am happy to report my aesthetician claims were spot on! Not an ingrown hair or bump in sight with results lasting much longer than regular wax. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still no trip to the ice cream parlor (I recommend skipping your morning caffeine rush and taking two Advil an hour before your appointment). Overall, the sugar service was — pretty sweet, thanks Aletris!