With summer temperatures soaring and holiday season in full swing, salons can expect a rise in waxing appointments. Michele Hetherington reveals her top tips to ensure a smooth season ahead.
Summer is here but living in the tropics also has intense humidity which can make waxing very difficult. With the warmer weather salons will see a significant increase in waxing treatments, especially full leg and intimate waxing. However, if you are well prepared for the increase in waxing appointments and temperatures – you will ensure happy clients and improved salon profit.
Here are some considerations for every salon:
Training: Demonstration workshops, or in-salon training for Brazilian waxing can benefit new or inexperienced staff to gain confidence in performing the treatment with greater speed and efficiency.
Designated Waxing Rooms: Having specific rooms assigned for waxing can help streamline the treatment. Make sure it is a cool well-ventilated room, with good lighting, trolleys should be set up close to the waxing bed so that the therapist can move quickly and comfortably when applying the wax.
Are you using the best wax? Formulas have improved over the years and modern waxes have been designed for different climates, therapists and skin types. Don’t be afraid to try something new or learn something different, after all your clients deserve quality products that offer exceptional results.
Summer Treatment Tips:
Ask your clients to come in 5-10 minutes prior to their appointment so they can sit in a cool salon with a glass of cold water to bring down their core body temperature.
In hot, humid weather the wax room should have adequate cooling to avoid sticky situations. It is important that wax is not applied to skin that is perspiring or over heated. To cool large areas prior to waxing, you may consider applying a cold compress, or cool water spray before application of skin cleanser. Talcum powder or cornstarch applied prior to waxing can help keep skin dry, protected and aid in lifting the hair up off the skin.
Sunburnt skin and waxing treatments are never a good combination. Before you commence any waxing make sure clients are not sunburnt. It is important to educate your clients about the risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation if they intend to relax in the sun after they have just been waxed.
When waxing eyebrows or upper lip with hot wax, apply cotton rounds soaked in cold water before and after waxing to cool the surface of the skin. Use a light pre-wax oil which has been designed to be used with hot wax application to protect delicate skin before waxing. For mature or reactive skin types, you may need to apply a fine layer of talcum powder or cornstarch prior to hot wax. When the wax is removed use a cotton round soaked in cold water as a light compress before applying after-wax lotion, apply a natural sunscreen with a physical block such as a mineral foundation to protect against hyperpigmentation.
When performing an intimate wax spray the area first with pre-wax skin cleanser, allow to air dry then spray a fine layer of pre-wax oil to soften and protect delicate areas. When the skin is overheated and there is too much moisture apply a light dusting of talcum powder or cornstarch to further protect and aid in raising the hair away from the skin. If moisture returns during the treatment from client perspiration, you may need to repeat the above steps in some areas to maintain skin protection.
Wax pots – Hot and strip waxes perform within a variable temperature range, in winter waxes need to be at the higher end of the range while in summer the pots should be at the lower end. Topping up your wax pots before they get close to the bottom of the pot will help to maintain a more consistent working temperature. We recommend you have your wax pots a little cooler in summer to ensure effective application and removal. Be sure to do a test patch on your wrist to test the temperature of the wax before commencing the treatment.
Waxing requires a common-sense approach in summer months. Prior to any waxing always inspect the skin which is being waxed, use only the recommended pre and post care products and make sure your client knows the correct aftercare treatment.
Michele Hetherington
Jax Wax Australia
National Training Manager
www.jaxwaxaustralia.com