Unwanted hair. For years, clients have tried to shave it with disposable or electric razors, pluck it with needlepoint or slanted tweezers, or lather it with depilatory creams. They have put up with stubble, nicks, rashes and bumps. So why do they continue to torment themselves which such devices? Waxing or hair removal, as we know it, still is one of the most popular, safe and effective ways to remove unwanted hair. It remains the most underrated treatment in the industry, yet the most lucrative service available. Now is the time to capitalize on waxing services.
Wax selections
Different waxes for different hair and skin types are becoming more and more popular as they enable the technician to complete a flawless depilatory service. However, the most of the waxes on the market fall into two categories: soft and hard waxes.
Soft wax. Soft waxes always will be used with some type of cotton pellon or muslin strip. They are successful when used on larger areas of the body such as the chest, back, arms and legs. They should be applied as thinly as possible and have the ability to spread like butter.
Soft pine resin waxes should be applied thinly for economy, ease of use and control. Because of the consistency, this wax covers a large area of the body and removes hair very quickly—in a manner known as “speed waxing”—resulting in quick and effective hair removal.
The technician could choose a cream wax containing some tea tree oil, which is very effective for soothing and repairing irritated skin and if the hair to be waxed is short, coarse and stubborn. This type of wax is extremely effective in picking up short hairs that are not quite ready to be waxed.
Newer waxes on the market that contain royal blue chamomile and azulene simulate hard waxes, but spread like soft wax. These types are very effective for first-time waxing clients and clients who have extremely sensitive skin. These newer designer waxes are very effective in soothing, calming and acting as an anti-inflammatory, leaving little to no signs of waxing.
Hard wax. Hard waxes do not sit as closely to the skin as soft waxes and can be used on small areas such as the face, eyebrows, lip, neck, toes, fingers and the bikini line. When hard wax is applied, it immediately begins to dry and encase itself around the resistant hair to be waxed. As it dries, it shrinks up slightly and lifts up off the skin. The result is effective hair removal with little to no skin irritation.
Green hard wax with azulene is effective in calming irritated skin and is extremely effective in removing resistant hair. Once this wax has been applied to the skin, it will begin to dry and is peeled off the skin like a bandage strip.
White hard waxes are effective on sensitive skin. These hard waxes contain sweet almond oil and are excellent for waxing skin that has been chemically treated.
The goal of waxing is to remove the hair from the root with minimal redness, reaction or irritation, not to break hair or bruise the client. Using multiple waxes for different skin and hair types will help.
Although the products certainly have changed, waxing techniques have not changed greatly through the years.