As the days get longer, so do the lists of clients booking in for waxing treatments in preparation for baring all on holiday and hot summer days.
From hot and humid weather to applying too much product, we asked the best in the biz to share their top tips when it comes to waxing.
1. Ingrown hairs
One of the most common hair removal problems is dealing with ingrown hairs. This happens when hairs get trapped beneath the skin's surface.
To keep those stubborn ingrowns at bay, exfoliation is the key. Simply recommend regularly exfoliating with a gentle scrub to your client – this will remove any dead skin cells and keep their pores clear in between waxing appointments.
Additionally, solutions that specifically target ingrown hairs could be added to your customers routine.
A highly effective solution for minimising the appearance of ingrown hairs, while calming and decongesting breakouts for the entire body and face. Protecting the skin’s pH balance, leaving skin feeling clean, soft and moisturised, Ingrown-X-It Foaming Gel is your secret weapon for silky-smooth skin: banishing any bumpy intruders and exfoliating the surface to reveal smooth, irresistible skin.
Made with lemon tea tree, arnica and calendula.
2. Waxing off skin
Skin lifting, or when skin has been taken off during the waxing treatment, can leave your clients looking like they have burns – but what causes it?
Lifting can also occur if the wax used is too hot or too cold, if the wax is too sticky or applied too thickly.
So, what can you do to prevent skin lifting?
When using hot wax, it’s important to use a high-quality pre-waxing oil. This little secret weapon acts as a barrier between the wax and the clients precious skin, preventing the chances of skin-lifting or tugging.
If you’re using strip wax and experiencing skin-lifting, you may need to reconsider the wax you’re using on that particular area of skin and switch to hot wax.
Before you even start, you should be equipped with the right knowledge and expertise so you know how to perform waxing treatments with the utmost care and precision, ensuring the skin remains smooth and irritation-free.
Made with apricot kernel oil, jasmine and chamomile, Lycon's Pre-Waxing Oil prevents wax sticking to the skin, making waxing comfortable, clean and efficient. The oil forms a barrier between the wax and the skin, meaning there’s a reduction in sensation which ultimately results in a more comfortable treatment for the customer.
3. Wax where you don't want it
Wax can be hard to control at times, but don’t worry if you get wax where you don’t want it – you can easily remove it.
“Accidental drips and dribbles on the body can be banished easily with a splash of oil,” shares Andy Rouillard, owner of Axiom Bodywork.
“Apply generously, then either wipe with a clean paper strip or twist the hair between your fingers to loosen the wax. Repeat until all stickiness has disappeared.”
If the wax is on a more delicate area, like the eyebrows, educator Abbie McCann recommends, after applying oil, “brushing through the eyebrow gently with a brow brush and repeating this until the wax has been removed".
“If you still have a bit of excess wax that can’t be removed, then placing a little bit of talc onto the eyebrow will help remove the last bit.”
4. Wax left on the skin when the paper is removed
“This usually happens because the wax has gone cold – either the client’s skin is too cool, or the wax has been applied too thickly. To solve the problem, apply strip wax in thin, single layers to avoid build-up and work in smaller sections if this keeps happening,” says Rouillard.
“If the problem is due to dry skin, massage a few drops of oil into the area before applying your wax to act as a lipid barrier.”
To get all the wax on the first go, always ensure the skin is held taut during application and removal, especially on areas with folds such as the upper thighs, bikini line and underarms.
“Don’t be afraid to ask your client to help with stretching where necessary,” says Rouillard.
“Don’t 'dab' to remove waxy residue as this is uncomfortable for clients. Lay a fresh paper strip over the top at a slightly different angle, rub briskly and remove in a single swift motion.
“As a last resort, use oil to dissolve any sticky bits, re-cleanse and start again.”
5. When wax won't set
For maximum hair removal, you need to ensure your wax has been set correctly.
“If your hot wax is taking too long to set on warmer parts of the body or in humid weather, simply dampen a cotton pad with cold water and wipe over any gummy patches to cool and harden it instantly,” advises Rouillard.
McCann’s top tip for hot wax which isn’t setting is to “place talc on top of the wax and rubbing with your hand; this will help the wax to cool down and set”.
Infused with sparkling mica and nourishing chamomile, Lycojet can be reapplied on the same area many times without any skin irritation. Lycojet waxes are similar to traditional hot wax; however they are designed to be used much more thinly, making it ideal for larger areas of skin and more profitable too! Apply a thin layer to just-waxed skin to remove any difficult or stubborn unwanted hairs.
6. Hair length matters
There’s a sweet spot for waxing when it comes to hair length – hair that’s too short struggles to be picked up by the wax, while hair that’s too long faces its own issues.
“Clients should wait at least three weeks after shaving or using hair removal creams, and four weeks after their last wax, to get best results,” says Rouillard.
“To remove multiple stubborn hairs, use firm pressure, apply a layer of peelable wax against the direction of hair growth and allow to dry. Stretching the skin taut, lift and remove wax with the direction of growth in several slow, tiny wiggles, re-bracing the skin at every step of the way to stop shorter hairs popping out of the wax.”
As for long hairs, don’t be afraid to reach for the scissors.
“Often the hairs haven’t been treated for many months, so if that’s the case, ensure you are trimming down any long hair to around a quarter of an inch because long unruly hair can cause problems when waxing from extra skin trauma and bruising to unnecessary pain,” advises Lisa Stone.
7. Tackling redness and irritation
Sensitive skin can sometimes respond to waxing, resulting in redness or irritation. To soothe and calm the skin post-waxing, apply a finishing lotion that contains restorative ingredients that will help reduce any irritation or inflammation, leaving the skin feeling nourished and the customer relieved.
Tea-Tree Soothe is the perfect finishing touch for a client with congested, oily or breakout prone skin, as the active healing ingredients will help lessen redness and soothe the area.
Containin tea-tree oil which is antibacterial as well as antifungal and renowned for its restorative benefits, as well as rose and chamomile, this light moisturising lotion is the perfect finishing touch for a client with congested, oily or breakout prone skin, as the active healing ingredients will help lessen redness and soothe the area.
8. Client comfort and communication
"Sometimes we can focus so much on the wax procedure that we forget the person lying on our couch experiencing an intimate wax, especially for the first time," shares founder of Eve Beauty Studio and Lycon ambassador, Natasha Miller.
"Listen to your client's worries and needs of which 90% have them especially if they are new to waxing.
"Some have never experienced an intimate wax even at the age of 40 and then you have the clients who have been put off waxing because of a therapist or product range but ultimately pain."
As for her top tips for avoiding discomfort, Miller suggests, "Stretch the skin when applying and removing your wax. We don't want to remove too big of a patch or too small, always assess your client's reaction and skin during treatment.
"We all know intimate is not the most comfortable so when you remove the patch it will sting your client.
"Glide your hand with firm pressure onto the hair-free area you have just removed the pact. We say, 'wax off and hand straight on'. Your client will thank you!"
Lycon's top tips for perfect waxing practice
Always wear gloves.
Whether it’s a hot wax or strip wax, it’s essential to protect yourself and keep your clients safe by wearing gloves throughout the entire treatment.
Never double dip.
Using a new spatula for each application maintains the hygiene and cleanliness of the wax, greatly reducing the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of bacteria or infections.
Go against the grain.
Always apply and remove hot wax against the direction of hair growth to ensure that it fully adheres to the hair.
Wax off, hand on.
Place your hand on the area immediately after removing the wax. This is a simple and effective way to instantly alleviate the initial sting from the hair removal.
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