SANFORD, Fla. -- A Central Florida woman who claimed she was disfigured
during a Brazilian bikini wax has been awarded $15,000.

Jean Simmons, 37, of Apopka, was about to leave for a trip to Las Vegas with her husband in 2007 and decided to get the wax at the Moriah Brandons d' Excellence salon in Altamonte Springs.

Simmons said she was injured during the procedure, which involves the removal of all of the hair in a woman's pelvic region. Simmons said the process ripped her labia, forcing her to get stitches and weakening her sexual desire.

A jury of four women and two men decided to award her $15,000.

Simmons and her husband were seeking nearly $500,000 in the suit. Simmons' husband was not awarded any money.

After the verdict, Simmons rushed out of court hiding her face but her attorney, Bill Ruffier, spoke on her behalf.

"She was injured in a salon where she went in for a treatment," Ruffier said. "The wrong wax was used that caused injury but the salon would never admit responsibility."

The U.S. Health Department recommends to ensure the aesthetician is licensed before getting waxed. The department received 4,964 complaints regarding cosmetologists last fiscal year.

The aesthetician in this case was licensed. There are approximately 189,000 licensed cosmetologists in the state.

This case highlights safety concerns for millions of women who choose to get Brazilian bikini waxes.

Mandy French, 23, has been getting waxed for about three years.

"It's way better than shaving," French said. "I don't have to worry about it, it's not an everyday kind of thing. I come here once every five or six weeks."

At DepiWax, they said the Brazilian bikini wax has dramatically increased in popularity. About 30 percent of their clients are there for Brazilian bikini waxes.

"Especially now that it's Valentines Day, Spring Break, people are getting ready to go to the beach," said Mary Rodriguez, owner of Depiwax. "It's my busiest time of the year."

But there are strict rules Rodriguez requires of her aestheticians to help prevent infections, like never recycling the wax, never double dipping into the wax pot and using all disposable utensils and gloves.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation recommends that customers be on the lookout to make sure unused containers are covered and instruments that apply the wax are thrown away after use or sterilized between patrons. Cosmetologists are also required to post their license at their work station.

Last year, two women in New Jersey were hospitalized for injuries. New Jersey did not end up banning bikini waxes after angry salon owners complained about losing business.

Consumers can file a complaint with the department if they feel their cosmetologist has not met these requirements by going to MyFloridaLicense.com or by calling 850-487-1395 .