Yellowknife (Feb 04/04) - Jasmin Prasad loves to pamper.

For about seven years now, Prasad has been on the job waxing, massaging and otherwise soothing bodies from head to toe while enjoying every minute of her job as an esthetician.

Jasmin Prasad is ready to wax a leg, give a manicure or perform a facial in her role as esthetician at the Joie de Vivre day spa. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

"I find it so enjoyable because I love talking to people," Prasad said from the inner sanctum of Joie de Vivre, a day spa. "A lot of people come here for help and leave here happy and feeling better about themselves."

Prasad has a diverse list of duties, some are stickier than others.

"Waxing is popular for summer, but also in winter for people travelling south," she said. It is not just the women who like to be hair-free, but men as well, she said.

"More men with exceptionally hairy chests or backs will now often get waxing done. They also have facials, pedicures and massages," she said.

Hair removal has come a long way from the days when a strip of wax was pulled from the skin, she said. "More training is required and they also now have machines for hair removal," she said. "And at one time, they actually used to wash the hair from the wax to reuse it (the wax)."

Once seen as a "high-brow" industry, Prasad said today's spa treatments are not only more affordable, but varied to fit the individual.

"It's the excitement of seeing first timers arrive that I enjoy as well," she said.

And because of the large variety of services now available -- from body wraps to salt glows -- Prasad said people should not be afraid to try new things.

"I tell them not to be scared or shy. They are made to feel comfortable. It's a professional atmosphere."