Three Things Every Waxer Should Know

Believe it or not, the average spa client is savvy on procedures. They know what characteristics to look for in a service provider and will try everything from shaving to laser hair removal to get the results they desire. The question is: are you helping them achieve their goals? Clients want the best eyebrow, bikini or back wax; you want to be the go-to spa for a flawless hair removal procedure. But what makes one aesthetician or wax technician stand out among the masses? They perform concise consultations at every service and they know their clientele. In my experience as a spa owner, operator and educator, I believe that every aesthetic professional who wants to excel in hair removal services should have adept knowledge in three prominent client concerns: growth patterns and changes, ingrown hair management, and age appropriate waxing.

At any given point in an individual’s life, a person can experience an increase or decrease in hair growth or gray hair. A savvy service provider will be able to consult on the best hair removal options for smoother, longer-lasting results.

Educate Clientele on Patterns of Hair Loss/Gain

As a waxing salon and laser center, we service the hair removal needs of men and women. The most emotionally driven hair removal clients are women with hormonal imbalances that result in excess terminal hair growth on the face and body. From the client’s perspective, this hair is new and not normal. It is part of a hormonal change that they are experiencing and cannot control. Terminal hair growth can occur over the face and body. But the amount of hair displayed is a matter of personal preference. Some clients like to be totally smooth, others shaped or sculpted and some just want to look natural. Terminal hair is also called androgenic hair, because it corresponds to the level of male hormones (androgens) in the body. Women generally experience androgenic hair on the forearms, lower legs and pubic region, while men experience it over the majority of the body. At what point can an individual expect to see some changes in hair growth that do not appear “natural?” Terminal hair begins to develop in prepubescent years with noted changes in the childbearing age and again with menopause symptoms.

Terminal Hair Growth During Childbearing Years
Women are most susceptible to hormone imbalances during their childbearing years (ages 25 to 40) as a result of birth control, pregnancy or general age-related changes within the body. These hormone fluctuations can cause an increase and/or decrease in hair growth patterns. Hirsutism is a condition that characterizes women who grow terminal hair over the face and chest. This pattern of hair growth is triggered by an increase in androgens. Hence, the hair growth pattern is normal for men, but unsightly for women. Most women who display this type hair growth generally suffer from acne, too. The most common causes of hirsutism are polycystic ovarian syndrome and menopause; both conditions should be diagnosed and managed with a gynecologist. Because the condition is internal, hair removal efforts with hirsuite conditions are an ongoing process. Facial hirsutism may be shaved or removed with a cream hard wax. Clients willing to make an investment in permanent hair reduction procedures like laser or electrolysis may end up with neutral results.

Hair Removal Services for Men

Women still make up the majority of hair removal patrons in the spa, but men are gaining in number. It is socially acceptable for men to receive spa services and maintain a more youthful appearance. Men also experience changes in hair patterns as they age and are willing to receive hair removal services that help them look and feel young, but still maintain their masculinity. The pattern of hair growth on the lower back and chest is a genetic characteristic and not an overall concern unless the hair growth is overly “wooly” and/or spreads to the shoulders, upper arm and upper back. Keep the hair pattern on the body masculine and feather the edges so there are no sharp points or shapes. Men want to look masculine, not like Sasquatch.

As a man ages, he too begins to experience hair loss, but the primary concern (aside from the hair on his head) is gray hair. One of the most defining characteristics of an “old man” is scraggly long gray hair peeking out the ears and nose, obscuring the eyes and growing on the neck. Every facial that I perform on a man includes an eyebrow, ear, nose, and neck wax. My philosophy: you can drastically improve the look of his skin, but nobody will notice how great his skin looks when he has unsightly gray hair poking out of his nose and ears. To clarify, the waxing I perform is scant. Remove only the hair that peeks out of his nostrils and ears. Never shape his eyebrow, but always be sure he has two eyebrows; keep them from growing into his hairline or eyes and trim any long hair. Give a complete service that improves his overall look while maintaining his masculinity. When people notice his well-groomed appearance and compliment him, it is a reflection of your talent as an aesthetician.

Prevention and Treatment of Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs are unsightly and can be painful if the follicle is infected. Correcting the problem is only achieved by allowing the hair to grow or to trim instead of shave. All traditional means of hair removal, such as shaving, depilatory creams, and waxing can result in ingrown hair so clients who want more permanent options should invest in electrolysis, intense pulsed light (IPL), or laser hair removal. No matter what type of ingrown hair the client is experiencing, as an aesthetician or wax technician, consulting on the best means to prevent ingrown hair and infection should be a priority. It is a reflection of your quality of care and is an added value to your service.

Improving Your Technique to Reduce the Development of Ingrown Hairs
As a hair removal professional, improving your technique, assisting with extraction and retailing products that reduce the number of ingrown hairs is an integral part of a successful practice. Most all aestheticians employ waxing or sugaring to extract the hair from the follicle. More specialized hair removal options like electrolysis, laser, or intense pulsed light help reduce ingrown hair by the process of photoepilation (destroying the follicle). These hair removal options require additional training, certification, and licensing. As a wax technician or aesthetician, your wax temperature, application, and removal all affect the skin and can increase ingrown formation.
Giving an exceptional service is only one-third of the total client care that “go-to” aestheticians and wax technicians offer. The other two values include retailing and extraction services. Clients need to maintain the long-term smooth and flawless results they achieve from waxing. This includes proper cleansing, exfoliation and
hydration. Retail these products to complete the experience, improve your credibility, and gain additional retail revenue. Offer an extraction service for clients who experience painful and unsightly ingrown hairs. Some facilities advertise this service as the “Bikini Facial.” Regardless of the name, maintain a protocol that helps extract the ingrown hairs properly and safely. When done by a professional, there is a decreased risk of infection, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and scar prevention.

Teenage and Tween Waxing Etiquette

“What did you do to my daughter?” said the most prominent client in the community. It is by far the most memorable waxing story in my spa and one from which all aestheticians can learn. My client’s daughter is a well-traveled, sophisticated young woman. The girl scheduled her regular bikini waxing service with a new aesthetician and during each visit, the girl would request “a little more” hair be removed from her bikini area until she asked for the bare-it-all Brazilian wax. That afternoon, I received a phone call from the girl’s mother, blaring her disapproval into my ear. The technician had no idea that this mature-looking young woman was only 16 years old. This was nearly a decade ago, but it warrants the common question: what age is too young for waxing and what waxing services are inappropriate for children? Girls can display visible hair growth early in life, but androgenic hair may develop as early as eight years of age. As this hair develops, so should a child’s skin care routine with facial treatments and home regimen. Some mothers may want to have their daughter waxing at an early age because the girl is experiencing ridicule from her peers. Boys generally do not begin any type of waxing until they reach young adulthood. I believe that the prepubescent years, age eight or older, is an appropriate time to begin waxing. The parent should always be present to sign a consent form and supervise the service in the room. Waxing pre- and post-pubescent teenagers is ideal because it helps limit the amount of hair growth over a long period of time and keep the hairs fine. Services like the Brazilian wax or total body waxing to remove fine vellus hair (pigmented or not) for children will require your personal judgment on the matter. There is a level of risk and discomfort associated with waxing that is unique to the recipient. Do you believe a child would ultimately benefit from this service? Do you think a mother would disapprove?

Be the Go-To Spa for Hair Removal

You can be certain that clients want to have long-lasting hair removal results, with minimal discomfort, without downtime and they do not want it to cost too much. They are savvy on procedures and will try several means to achieve their goals, but they also want advice. Aesthetic procedures, hair removal included, require planning and investment. Will you be the “go-to” professional to guide them on the best path and help them achieve their ultimate beauty goals? I encourage each of you to implement your knowledge of the skin and hair and share it with your clients. Encourage them to expand on waxing or to try a new method of hair removal that will best suit their skin and the result they want to achieve. Plan services out over the course of the year and retail the product they should be using to encourage longer, smoother and flawless results. Waxing is a lucrative service in the industry and takes little time. The best part, you can talk with your client as you administer the service because it does not warrant relaxation and ambiance. They will appreciate the distraction. Be a professional who sets a high standard of excellence.

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Read 11211 times Last modified on Friday, 14 March 2014 12:33