ABSTRACT

Young women (18–25 years) are more likely to engage in pubic hair removal and experience higher rates of negative sexual health outcomes (e.g., sexually transmitted infections [STIs]). Hair removal salons may serve as novel environments for health interventions. The Sexual Health and Esthetician (SHE) Study aimed to better understand the pubic hair removal profession, explore the esthetician–client relationship, and assess potential for esthetician offices/salons serving as health promotion/sexual health promotion intervention settings. Using an exploratory qualitative design, in-depth interviews (N = 28) were conducted with licensed estheticians who provided pubic waxing services. In a large urban area in Southern California, the catchment area of salons included five unique neighborhoods, each with high reported STI rates. Data were analyzed using a social constructivist perspective and emergent themes from interviews. Synthesis of data showed estheticians provide a variety of waxing services for young women; during appointments, sex-related discussions occur, creating “sexy spaces” where otherwise taboo conversations happen with ease; they notice clients’ possible health concerns, including STIs, but have no protocols/procedures for handling these occurrences; and interactions with clients often result in the development of an intimate bond. Results indicate estheticians may be effective conveyors of sexual health promotion and risk reduction interventions.

摘要

年轻女性（18-25 岁）更有可能进行阴毛去除，并经历更高的负面性健康结果（例如，性传播感染 [STI]）。脱毛沙龙可以作为健康干预的新环境。性健康和美容师 (SHE) 研究旨在更好地了解阴毛脱毛行业，探索美容师与客户的关系，并评估美容师办公室/沙龙作为健康促进/性健康促进干预设置的潜力。使用探索性定性设计，对提供耻骨打蜡服务的持牌美容师进行了深入访谈（N = 28）。在南加州的一个大城市地区，沙龙的集水区包括五个独特的社区，每个社区的性传播感染率都很高。使用社会建构主义观点和访谈中的新兴主题分析数据。综合数据显示，美容师为年轻女性提供多种脱毛服务；在约会期间，会发生与性有关的讨论，创造“性感空间”，否则禁忌对话很容易发生；他们注意到客户可能存在的健康问题，包括性传播感染，但没有处理这些事件的协议/程序；与客户的互动通常会导致亲密关系的发展。结果表明，美容师可能是促进性健康和降低风险干预措施的有效传递者。发生与性有关的讨论，创造“性感空间”，否则禁忌对话很容易发生；他们注意到客户可能存在的健康问题，包括性传播感染，但没有处理这些事件的协议/程序；与客户的互动通常会导致亲密关系的发展。结果表明，美容师可能是促进性健康和降低风险干预措施的有效传递者。发生与性有关的讨论，创造“性感空间”，否则禁忌对话很容易发生；他们注意到客户可能存在的健康问题，包括性传播感染，但没有处理这些事件的协议/程序；与客户的互动通常会导致亲密关系的发展。结果表明，美容师可能是促进性健康和降低风险干预措施的有效传递者。