Waxing is always in demand in the salon, and clients love the consistent smooth and long-lasting results it can provide. However, it’s not just about following the steps to provide a top quality treatment. Getting professional results requires good client consultation and preparation, as well as selecting the right wax and providing the expert aftercare that makes your treatment stand out.
Clients should feel well prepared and cared for throughout their salon treatment, and this can be especially challenging with waxing treatments. If you have recently qualified as a beauty therapist or you want to take your waxing treatments to the next level, you’ll love our guide to professional waxing, including all the product recommendations you need.
Consulting with Your Clients
As with all treatments you offer in the salon, your client consultations are a vital part of the waxing process. You’ll want to ensure that your clients are at ease, and taking the time to understand their expectations and any special requirements can help to improve their waxing experience. If a client has previous experience with waxing, this can help to inform your approach, and any medical changes, such as pregnancy, should be highlighted as these can increase skin sensitivity and identify contraindications.
The products you use in waxing treatments will usually be hypoallergenic, but if your client has particularly sensitive skin or an allergy to a specific ingredient, you may need to alter your product selection. You should always check whether your client is taking any medication that could make the skin more sensitive, or has recently used products that contain retinol, acids or exfoliators, as these can interact with the products you use and cause adverse reactions. Building a reliable picture of your client and their history enables you to select the right products for them and deliver the great results they are hoping for.
Preparing the Skin
There is a great deal of skill in preparing the skin correctly for a waxing treatment, and attention to detail here can produce superior results. The skin must be clean and dry, and all oils, lotions and products must be removed. We love Lycon Tea Tree Perfect pre-waxing oil, which is the choice of many professional waxers. If you’ve been using a pre-wax cleaner that tends to leave the skin dry, you’ll notice that this lightweight oil is far more effective, creating a protective barrier between the skin and the wax.
Preparing the skin properly makes the process much more comfortable for your clients, protecting the skin and reducing the risk of skin lifting. Lycon pre-waxing oil is suitable for sensitive areas, but you should always check for any contraindications with every client. The oil is most effective when you massage a small amount into the skin before waxing, and this is excellent preparation for the waxing process.
Selecting the Right Wax
Finding the right wax for your client and for the area you are waxing is not always easy, and getting to know your products will help you to make the best selections. You will want different waxing products and different techniques for different areas of the body, and we suggest using the following:
Strip Wax: When you are looking for the perfect solution for larger treatment areas, strip wax will probably be your first choice. Here, wax is applied to the body in a thin layer and is removed using paper or fabric strips. This is ideal for areas where the hair is fine, such as the legs, arms, back and chest.
Hot Wax: If you are waxing an area that is very sensitive, or a smaller area of the body, especially if hair growth is coarse, you’ll find that hot wax is a more effective option. Hot wax grips hair more effectively and sticks to skin less, which means that the discomfort is reduced and results are smoother. This is usually the best option for the bikini line, including Brazilian and Hollywood waxing, as well as for facial waxing and underarm waxing.
Professional Waxing Products
Our recommendations are based on our many years of experience and we are always happy to discuss the options with you to find solutions that work for you. All waxing products are not equal, and making the right decisions will influence your client’s experience significantly.
We recommend the following brands:
Lycon Waxing Systems
We love Lycon waxing products for many reasons, and they are widely recognised as a premium professional choice. You can select the product that best suits your requirements, safe in the knowledge that Lycon waxes are highly rated for flexibility, stubborn hair removal and low temperature application. Lycon waxes are excellent for intimate waxing services and are suitable for sensitive skin, reducing skin irritation and improving comfort.
We love Lycon Active Gold Hot Wax for hot waxing, while the Lycon Pinkini Waxing range is perfect for clients with sensitive skin. Lycon Lycotec Strip Wax is a great strip waxing option, and all of these will deliver the smooth, soft results your clients are looking for.
Salon System Waxes
Salon System is uniquely designed to offer a wide range of affordable professional waxing products, and the range is popular in salons of all sizes. If you’re looking for reliable products and waxes that work for a wide range of treatment areas, we can recommend Salon System as a great solution for you.
The Salon System Waxing range includes the aloe vera and lavender Just Wax range for sensitive skin, and a variety of soft wax, creme wax and wax cartridges that are designed to nurture the skin during the waxing process. The range is cruelty free and vegan friendly, to give you and your clients peace of mind as well as a super smooth finish!
Hive of Beauty Wax
Hive of Beauty has been a popular choice for professionals in the waxing industry for many years, and these timeless products are still leading the way for good reason. From pre-wax scrubs to wax pellets and applicators, the HIVE range is an excellent option for salons.
We love the vegan friendly, antioxidant HIVE SuperBerry Blend creme wax, which is packed with potent superfoods, including cranberry, blueberry, goji berry and açai berry. It’s a good choice for clients with sensitive skin, and combines anti-inflammatory ingredients that leave the skin smooth and soft.
Professional Waxing Tips
The waxing process must be efficient and hygienic for your clients and your salon. Our experienced team recommend the following tips for professional waxing:
1. Prepare yourself. Set yourself up by ensuring that you have everything you will need throughout the waxing process before you begin. This includes your wax heater and the correct wax for the treatment, as well as spatulas, wax strips, gloves and pre-wax and post-wax products, as well as a waste disposal system. Ensuring that you are organised and well prepared helps to create a calm and hygienic salon environment.
2. Take care with temperature. Making sure that your wax is heated to the right temperature is essential, as wax that is too hot can lead to burns, while it can fail to work properly if it is too cool. Test the wax on your wrist before applying, and stir thoroughly to ensure even heat distribution.
3. Never double dip. When you are waxing professionally, you must never double dip the spatula as this can introduce bacteria into the wax and increase the risk of cross-contamination. You should always use a new disposable spatula when applying more wax.
4. Apply wax in the direction of hair growth. When wax is applied correctly, the hair removal process is more effective and the client is likely to be more comfortable. For strip and hot wax, you should apply wax in the direction of hair growth and maintain consistent pressure for smooth, even results. Wax or strips should be removed against the direction of hair growth, by holding the skin taut and removing quickly at the correct angle.
5. Work methodically. You should work in small sections for efficiency, and check each area carefully for missed hairs. Client comfort is vital, and it helps to explain each stage of treatment and offer professional reassurance throughout.
6. Use post-wax products. Using high quality aftercare products can help to calm the skin and reduce irritation. Post-wax gels and lotions are designed to reduce redness and hydrate the skin, as well as supporting skin recovery. You will also need to provide thorough aftercare instructions for your clients, advising them to avoid sun exposure and excessive heat immediately following their treatment.
Professional waxing is a process that requires skill, knowledge and client care, and you need products you can rely on. Our recommendations are designed to help you work more efficiently, and we will always be happy to offer guidance and support.
At Hennessy Hair & Beauty, we stock high quality hair and beauty products for professionals. We have won several industry awards in recognition of our work and we supply excellent styling products and salon supplies. Talk to us to find out more about our range of products, and we’ll help you to find the best waxing solutions.