Let me say upfront - this is not a topic I would typically write about. In fact, it took some doing before my editor would even let me broach the topic.

But with summer now if full swing, I know many of you women (and men) will be heading to the beach and will want to look your best.

If you are like me, that means getting rid of unwanted body hair.

After years of using various method, this year I... eerrr,... I decided to get a Brazilian wax.

I had been wanting to try it for a long time. But truth be told, I was a little afraid. I don't like pain, and besides, I didn't know any other women who had gotten one.

After doing some research, I psyched myself up and headed to Georgetown Day Spa. It's near my home, and I had previously gotten a gift certificate for services there.

Before I made the appointment, I had a consultation with skin care therapist Alyssa Jackson. I asked her a thousand questions: What should I expect? How much will it hurt? How do I maintain the area after the procedure is done?

Jackson assured me that, if I felt uncomfortable during the service, we could stop at any time.

Surprisingly, she said, a growing number of African American women are getting Brazilians - but the numbers are still small.

"I think it may be a comfort level," she said. "Maybe women were not as comfortable with someone being that close and personal with them, or the fear of pain."

I agreed.

In the larger community, Brazilian waxes are not at all uncommon. The trend has gained popularity over the last eight to 10 years with shows like "Sex in the City," where the procedure was discussed often and openly.

The night before my appointment I tossed and turned.

Before we started, Jackson explained that she would be using two types of waxes -- one she would remove using a strip, and another she would peel off by hand. The peel-off wax, she said, is ideal for the smaller, more sensitive areas.

As I undressed in a private room (just like you do at a doctor's office), I thought to myself: "Lashawnda, you should have scheduled a massage appointment instead."

Too late. Jackson was ready.

From the moment the warm wax touched my skin, I realized that some women will do just about anything in the name of beauty, and I was one of them.

I have been secretly wanting to wear a bikini but chose boy shorts or cover-ups instead, because I didn't feel comfortable. With my new wax, I daydreamed of looking like a Sports Illustrated bikini model -- if I exercised, but that's another story.

I quickly snapped out of my fantasy after the first patch of hair was yanked out by the roots. I then began to fantasize about needing a drink.

I screamed and made all sorts of ugly faces. It felt weird at first, but after I stopped being dramatic it got a little easier. The real test came when it was time for me to change positions.

I had forgotten that we had to get rid of ALL the hair. I laughed so hard -- partly because of nerves, I'm sure.

After all the mental build up, I'll admit the service wasn't as painful as I had thought, and it was worth it. My experience turned out to be pleasant, in fact.

I suggest going to a professional who isn't going to rush. You definitely want to feel at ease.

A wax should last four to six weeks, depending on how quickly your hair grows. And, yes, I made another appointment.

If you go, the procedure can be costly. In the Charlotte area, treatments range from $60 - $75. Whatever you do, I don't recommend you try it at home with a do-it-yourself kit.

Other Tips:

1. Be sure you are comfortable with your skin care therapist, and if possible, get a personal recommendation. Also, be sure to do a consultation before your appointment.

2. The service is not recommended if you take certain prescription drugs, have diabetes or an STD.

3. Before you go in, your hair should be trimmed down to no less than ¼ inches long.

4. If you worry about sensitivity, take a pain killer about 30 minutes before your appointment.

5. After the service, remember to exfoliate your skin to help prevent ingrown hairs.
 

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