Hi Kariann,

Thanks for asking a question.  Although I'm not a doctor, and therefore cannot give you medical advice, I do have herpes and love Brazilian waxes so hopefully I can help answer your question.

I assume what you're referring to is the way estheticians us a big melting pot of wax for probably all customers.  You are worried that someone with herpes will use the wax before you, and the virus may then be transferred to you (or maybe you're worried about giving it to someone else).  I understand the concern, given that a Brazilian wax covers a lot of area very close to mucous membranes, and that sometimes waxing can lead to small open wounds.  I personally, don't get waxed when I'm having an outbreak, and I'd be surprised if other people did.  Also, the wax that is poured on someone else never gets put back in the pot, it gets thrown away.  The only way the herpes would get back in the pot would be through the spatula they use to apply the wax.  But I find that the spatula is so coated in wax, it's never touching much of my skin.  Finally, I would have a hard time believing that the herpes virus could live in hot wax for long enough to infect someone else.  If you've been waxed before you know that it gets hot in there!

I would say getting herpes from the waxing salon is about as probable as getting herpes from a toilet seat.  There may be a tiny chance, but it's not enough to obsess about. 

Check out the page about Transmitting Herpes and learn the Basics of Herpes.  Also, you may want to read the Herpes Prevention page. 

Have a good bikini season!

PJ

Hi Kariann, 

I wanted to follow up about this as I just got a Brazilian wax.  I noticed that the aesthetician used a new waxing stick each time she put wax on me...so no double dipping!  It was very clean, she used gloves, and I can't think of a way that my herpes would somehow be transmitted to someone else.  

So although it's not cheap, I think it's worth going to a place that is very hygienic and cautious.  I went to Benefit, which has several locations.  If you're worried about getting herpes from a wax just remember: you get what you pay for (or don't pay for, in this situation).