The best male hair removal training for wax specialists
As more men become regular waxing clients, the professional brands are developing specialist training. Georgia Seago helps choose the right course for you.
Men now make up one in five salon customers in the UK, according to the 2017 Beautiful Britain Report by Salon Services. But despite an increase in the number of men who are turning into treatment regulars, the report also found just 45% of salons offer male grooming services.
One of the easiest ways to get a slice of the market is by offering male hair removal. Attracting men through the doors with familiar maintenance services such as brow or nostril waxing can be a great first step towards eventually introducing them to other treatments such as tans and massage.
Waxing men isn’t for everyone. But if you’re ready to explore the male grooming boom, now is the perfect time to enrol on a specialist course, with an increasing number of waxing brands developing training that focuses on teaching the techniques and tips that separate male from female waxing services.
As well as teaching the technical aspects, these courses aim to arm the therapist with confidence and professional etiquette, and prepare them to put their new skillset into practice.
COURSE: PERRON RIGOT MALE INTIMATE WAXING
Duration: One day Price: £275. Therapists go home with a training manual, goody bag and 20% off their first order, and can contact Nkd for help and advice after the course.
Location: Nkd, Nottingham
Requirements: Minimum NVQ Level 2 in Beauty Therapy or a basic waxing qualification for pot and spatula skills
Models: Provided, but students can provide their own if mentioned when booking
CPD: 12 points
What’s involved?
Perron Rigot Male Intimate courses are held at PB Award-winning salon Nkd in Nottingham, which runs a training academy approved by the brand. The main focus of the course is teaching therapists how to carry out the famous back, sack and crack treatment, but it also teaches male Brazilian and Hollywood techniques.
Students learn how to use both strip and non-strip waxes on men, specifically Perron Rigot’s Cirepil Cristal Ocean (strip) and Euroblonde (non-strip).
Besides the practical elements, the objectives of the course are to educate therapists on relevant contraindications and health and safety precautions, as well as correct pre- and post-wax advice for clients. Students are assessed by trainer observation and through a written test at the end of the course.
Key takeaway:
Therapists will come away “more skilled for the role with greater confidence in what they are doing”, says Nkd Waxing Academy trainer Jenny Hunter, who explains that the course passes on helpful tips to increase therapists’ confidence when waxing men, such as positioning.
“We put men in a slightly different position when waxing certain intimate areas due to their long limbs and more sensitive parts. Therapists will learn which positions allow them to access specific areas more effectively.”
COURSE: WAXPERTS MANSCAPING
Duration: One day
Price: £250
Location: Edinburgh, Kent, Leeds, London, Manchester, West Sussex and more
Requirements: Previous attendance on Waxperts Beginners or Pro Conversion course Models: Students provide their own
What’s involved?
The course covers male hair removal from the face, torso and intimate areas. It’s designed for experienced waxing therapists to move up a skill level and gain confidence in delivering waxing services in the ever-growing male grooming market.
The course promises to guide therapists through each service competently and safely: brows, nose, ears, chest, back, intimate tidy and Hollywood.
Students are taught facial waxing techniques using hot wax, which the brand says is gentler on the skin and therefore more comfortable for the face, while services on the body use a combination of strip and hot. Students are assessed practically throughout the day.
Key takeaway:
“The stretch is essential when it comes to male intimate waxing because the skin around a man’s genitals is much looser than on women,” says tutor Angie Sanderson, lead Waxperts educator for Sweet Squared, which distributes the brand. “Holding the skin taut prevents bruising and makes it a much more comfortable experience for your client.”
COURSE: JUST WAX MALE INTIMATE WAXING
Duration: Half day Price: £199
Location: Capital stores in Edinburgh, Kent, Leeds, London, Manchester, West Sussex and more
Requirements: The course is intended for experienced waxers who already hold a qualification in waxing
Models: Students provide their own
CPD: Six hours
What’s involved?
This Habia-accredited course, from Salon System’s waxing brand Just Wax, is designed to allow therapists to increase their male clientele and boost profits as well as developing male waxing skills.
Developed in association with male waxing specialist Andy Rouillard, the course shares his tried-and-tested method for carrying out the “boyzilian”, which removes hair from the genitals, groin area and buttocks.
Students also learn advanced techniques for waxing the nose, ears, back and shoulders, and are taught product knowledge. Client etiquette is also a focus, so the course covers correct and comfortable positioning and hygiene points.
Students leave with marketing tips to help build clientele and keep clients coming back. Upon successful completion, learners receive a certificate approved by Habia, Babtac and multiple insurers.
Key takeaway:
A consideration of marketing aspects such as pricing means students come away with the tools to achieve commercial success with their new skills. Rouillard says the training “takes the mystery out of manscaping by equipping therapists with both the practical skills and knowledge needed to get out there and perform male Brazilian waxing safely, efficiently and profitably”.
Students also learn the specific technique required to use the brand’s Multiflex, a strip-less hot wax that can be removed in almost any direction.