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AIDS/HIV from brazilian waxing??? Worried..

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Expert: Terry B - 10/1/2008


Question
Dear Terry:

I have just received a brazilian wax from a new salon I found. Halfway through the procedure, I realized that she double-dipped into the pot of wax!!!

After she was done, she cleaned out some ingrown hairs with a tweezer that she "supposedly" sterilized.

What are the chances of contracting HIV? I　will get a blood test in three months to make sure.. but, in the meantime.. I'm losing sleep over this!! The thought that she double-dipped!!!

Please advise!

Answer
Dear Jenny:

Peace.  I know a lot about HIV but not much about Brazilian waxing.  The simple way for you to assess risk is to ask if you were exposed to visible amounts of blood, semen, or vaginal secretions.  Using a tweezer in itself poses no risk - sterilized or not - unless those same fluids (see above) came into contact with your bloodstream.

Best to you and yours,

Terry

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Terry B

Expertise

Help in assessing personal and professional risk of HIV transmission; tips in teaching about HIV/AIDS; cultural competency for teaching about HIV/AIDS in Catholic settings; considerations in US and overseas HIV/AIDS programs and education for health and other professionals. Specific questions about treatment should be referred to your health provider; opinions and information offered are not meant to replace medical advice

Experience

Seven years with academic medical center and national AIDS education and training center, seven subsequent years with focus on international HIV/AIDS in East and South Africa. Former clinician, bioethics preceptor at an academic medical center and presenter in wide range of fora including international AIDS conference.

Organizations
Disabled American Veterans American Public Health Association MENSA AA

Publications
Human Variety, EC Sociological Society Proceedings of the International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa "HIV and Primary Care"

Education/Credentials
BS Psychology MPH Master of Public Health PhD studies underway

Awards and Honors
Naval School of Health Sciences, Hospital Corps with Highest Honors, Neuropsychiatry with Honors and High Distinction

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