Funny to think that the minute we are born, we begin to age. And I for one am quite grateful that I am blessed with ongoing aging because the alternative simply does not take part in my next 40 years of dreams and goals.

My body has gone through many changes as I mature in age, and sometimes I find routines that I have been following for years need to be adjusted. I read somewhere once that one of the most important changes to consider as we age is our personal hygiene, which often declines as we get older. I believe the more we are upfront about matters, candid and unashamed, unapologetic for being blessed with aging, the more we can help each other continue to age with grace.

WHAT MATTERS MOST

This article comes to you during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. And, only God and my children know just how much care I give to myself to help me age with grace. Headscarves, hats, and so forth, are all part of my daily wardrobe these days.

Factors affecting the aging population such as difficulty standing, getting up and out of a bathtub, problems with balance, and loss of memory can affect one’s overall health. Other than my selective loss of memory that helps me in “special situations,” I have not reached the challenges. I am very blessed and grateful for my mental, spiritual, and physical strengths. And, I do what I can to keep strong, such as exercise, water intake, and eating healthy foods. You know – the basic good stuff of life, with a glass of wine thrown in here and there.

Our business is very important–albeit our politicians do not want to admit we, skin care professionals, are essential because a person’s overall health also includes skin health. And some of you know how diligent I can be to remind everyone that the skin covers the entire body, not only the visages and décolleté. Finding and selecting a routine and products that work effectively and safely is very important to maintaining good personal hygiene at any point in our life – lest we forget as we age.

BODY SUGARING FOR SENIORS

Hair removal might seem like something we’re only concerned about in our younger (those under the age of 65) years, but not only do many women and men still desire to get rid of unwanted body hair later in life, it can also be beneficial as we age.

Near all of us will experience skin thinning and becoming more sensitive with age. For those who still desire hair removal services, it is important for them to use methods that are gentle and skin-friendly. Certain waxing products might be too harsh and come with higher risks of tearing or bruising the skin, while laser might not be able to pick up the hairs that have been lightened due to loss of pigment.

Body sugaring hair removal is a safe, gentle, and effective method for all skin colors and types, including senior skin. Beyond just removing unwanted body hair, sugaring with high-quality pastes and an advanced technique can improve the skin’s overall tone and texture and is gentle enough to even treat areas with varicose and spider veins. Sugaring hair removal is beneficial for seniors, as they tend to be prone to developing skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or simply excessively dry skin. Sugaring treatments are a great way to provide light exfoliation to expose an immediately healthier, more youthful-looking skin without contra-indication.

INTIMATE HAIR REMOVAL

The real benefit of hair removal for seniors has to do with personal care of intimate regions – the genitals. These areas can be prone to infections due to inadequate personal hygiene causing the area to become a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria.

Performing intimate hair removal treatments on seniors requires a gentle technique, due to the skin becoming thinner and more delicate. Advanced sugaring is a perfect match for seniors seeking intimate hair removal treatment.

By removing the hair in these regions which can hold onto bacteria, you are helping reduce the chance of infection while improving the effectiveness when cleaning these areas.

STAYING CLEAN THROUGH SUGARING

In women, urinary tract infections (UTI) are most often caused by bacterium escherichia coli (e. Coli) and are increasingly more common in aging women. This is related to thinner more delicate genital tissue and less effective washing of the vulva – the outer portion of the vagina. By removing the hair from this area, bacteria have less of a foothold, and washing of the vulva has a better chance of removing bacteria.

For men, the benefit of intimate hair removal may not be as obvious as it is for women, but it is still beneficial for improving personal hygiene. Properly washing the genitals is crucial for preventing possible infections and as with women, reducing hair in this area improves the effectiveness of male genital washing. Additionally, men tend to have thicker hair growth in their inner buttocks surrounding the anus which can retain fecal matter. Once this hair is removed, washing and keeping the anus area clean is easier and much more effective (and no more skid marks).

Anyone who has met me knows that I am proud to be hair-free from head-to-toe. Nearly 28 years ago, when I went for my yearly OBGYN appointment, my doctor was shocked when he saw how sparse my hair was. “Lina, how long have you had this problem?”, he asked with concern in his voice. Laughing, I replied, “Doctor, I told you last time I was here that I am involved with sugaring–a hair removal process. My hair is going away!”

After explaining body sugaring to him and all its benefits, my OBGYN doctor began referring to some of his patients to me, who was prone to vaginal infections, for sugaring treatments. According to his patients who became my clients, the doctor felt that by removing their bikini hair, they would be reducing the potential breeding of bacteria that can lead to yeast infections. Cleansing would be easier and more effective.

EASY AND EFFECTIVE CLEANING

Let’s not forget that bacteria in the vaginal area, mixing with oil from the pubic hair area is also a cause of bad odor. This can be a common cause with seniors, as it is generally recommended that they only bathe every few days because washing too often can cause increased dryness. In order to prevent bacteria build-up between washes, especially in intimate areas, seniors should look for easy to use, pH balanced products, such as wipes, for the interim.

If you do not already offer sugaring treatments for seniors, this is an opportunity to increase your spa clientele. We are a large group of boomers who want to look and feel good up to the last minute. As the old adage goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Lina Kennedy is the president and CEO of Alexandria Professional, a worldwide leader in body sugaring epilation and skin conditioning. Kennedy is the pioneer of professional body sugaring and master trainer of professionals and distributors in more than 30 countries. As a beauty industry innovator, Kennedy has developed a full line of all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free skin care products and treatments that are safe and effective for all hair and skin types. Kennedy is dedicated to ensuring that each professional trained in body sugaring learns and understands the exceptional results they and their clients can achieve through the Kennedy Theory. She is a motivational speaker, the author of numerous articles in beauty magazines, and a multi-patent holder.