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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Eyebrows, legs, arms, backs, feet, chest and the bikini zone are a few parts of the body where unwanted hair can be removed with the aid of wax.

Esthetician Meagan Desjardins of Joie de Vivre is one of the professionals in Yellowknife to whom people who want hair removed can turn.

Meagan Desjardins is an esthetician at Joie de Vivre. Body waxing is part of her job. She said there are many misconceptions about waxing hair removal. - Jason Emiry/NNSL photo

Desjardins, who came to Yellowknife from Vancouver, this been doing her work for five years.

"I love it," said Desjardins. "It's not the type of career I thought I'd get into. It's not a 'girly-girl' career.

"There are many misconceptions about it," she said. "People think it is like shaving and they will just grow back more hair."

She prepares skin to be treated by applying toner to clean away oils and baby powder so that the wax does not remove skin.

Two kinds of wax are used. Regular or soft wax goes on the skin and is removed with a cloth. Hard wax can be removed without a cloth and is used in more sensitive areas.

She said hair is pulled out by the roots and waxing will lead to softer hair. Sometimes the hair won't grow back at all. Usually the client can wait one to two months before they need to return. The hair should be one-eighth of an inch long in order to be waxed. It is important to pull the wax in the direction opposite from which the hair grows.

"Exfoliate after you wax to prevent ingrown hairs," said Desjardins.

She said professionalism and hygiene are important in her job. People can have bad experiences with inexperienced esthetician.

Most of her clients are women, but she does get some men who want their necks or their backs done.

"Its cool when guys come in," said Desjardins. "I always give them kudos for coming in because it is a big step for them. It is not a girly thing to get done."

She said mainstream media has influenced her profession. Three of her customers asked for Brazilian waxes about five years ago. The number of clients grew after a Sex and the City episode featured the technique.

Steve Carell's chest waxing scene in the movie the 40-Year-Old Virgin definitely did not promote the practice for men.

"I haven't had many chest waxings since then," said Desjardins. "She did that the wrong way. She waxed right over his nipples. She didn't trim it. She didn't put her hand down afterwards to kill the sting."