New Jersey Considers Ban On Bare-It-All 'Brazilian' Wax

New Jersey is drawing the line when it comes to bikini waxing.

The state Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling is moving toward a ban on genital waxing after two women reported being injured in their quest for a smooth bikini line.

Both women were hospitalized for infections following 'Brazilian' bikini waxes, and one of the women has filed a lawsuit, according to Jeff Lamm, a spokesman for New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs, which oversees the cosmetology board.

Technically, genital waxing has never been allowed � only the face, neck, abdomen, legs and arms � but because Brazilian waxes weren't specifically banned, state regulators haven't enforced the law but this may soon change.

"The genital area is not part of the abdomen or legs as some might assume," says said.

The state Board of Cosmetology meets next on April 14 and will decide whether to move forward with enforcing the ban on the procedure, made popular in Brazil to accommodate skimpy thong bikinis.

The earliest the ban could take effect would be sometime in May, and salons that continue to perform it could be fined. For salon owners, discontinuing the popular service could mean a substantial drop in business, especially as summer swimsuit season nears.

Spa owner Linda Orsuto, who owns the West Salon & Spa in Cherry Hill, estimates that most of 1,800 bikini waxes performed at her business last year were Brazilian-style.

"It's huge," she says, adding that her customers don't think their bikini lines are anyone's business but their own. "It's just not right."

She said many customers would likely travel across state lines to get it and some might try to wax themselves which could be even more harmful.

UPDATE:

New Jersey has decided to scrap its plan to ban genital waxing following the outrage.

Spa owner Linda Orsuto had the best response: "It was an unnecessary issue. In New Jersey especially, where the government has been picking our pockets for so long, it was like, 'Just stay out of our pants, will you?'"

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