Right, theres been alot of talk about waxing now that summer is here, and seeing as i do a heck of a lot of waxing in the salon i thought i would post a tutorial for everyone to get some ideas.

Now this is the way that I work in the salon, NOT neccesarily the way I was taught at...

In the 2 1/2 years ive been waxing Ive never ripped a clients skin *touch wood*

you say you are a hands on waxer, so do you wear gloves? how do you find it working with them? I cant stand the damn things!

Unfortunately, I have seen it happen many times over the years. And it was always the same thing in common... not prepping the skin properly. I actually knew of a lady that had to get 12 stiches in her groin from a bikini wax.

No, In my 8 years of waxing, I have never worn gloves... I absolutely hate them too. The only time I wear a glove is if I have a cut or open sore on my hand... which isn't very often. I find they stick to the skin and get in the way. My clients come to me because I am very hands on and they like the fact that I'm not afraid to touch them without being all gloved up.

You should email me and we can chat... I do believe I can offer you some great ideas. aneederz@shaw.ca

Ive heard a few horror stories from clients. I thought you only needed stitches for an open would? ouch!

I use very gentle wax that melts at low temperatures because I am under the impression that if the skin is too hot (either from the heat of the wax or from the clients general body heat) then the skin can rip alot more easily. However i can see how oil would stop the wax from sticking to the clients skin and tearing it.

It is actually improper prep of the skin that causes skin ripping (in the majority of cases). The use of oil first makes a huge difference. I can wax over scars, pimples and moles without any problems to the skin. You can re-wax over an area if need be. I have even waxed clients on accutane. The esthetics school near me is teaching new estheticians NOT to use anything to prep the skin (which by the way is where the lady who needed to have stiches went). I have had many clients come from there... the majority of them have had skin removed... from various body parts.

It's oil every time for me, too - I have seen too many skin grazes and tearing from other salons to use anything else, and clients invariably comment on the difference.

Hands-on all the way here - I just can't get a good enough stretch in the skin without getting in there myself (you know what they say about "if you want a job doing properly, best to do it yourself!) although I do get my clients to help.

I do, however, wear gloves for all waxing - if nothing else, I believe it sends a message to my clients that I take their health and my hygiene practices seriously (just to clarify, I'm certainly not implying that those who don't wear gloves aren't taking the health of their clients seriously!). I don't find the vinyl or nitrile gloves stick to the skin or get in the way, and in fact I find it easier to just slip on a new glove if I get a bit of wax on them, rather than stopping to clean up a bare hand.

Im not saying i dont get stuck in when im waxing, i just dont go prodding and poking with bare fingers! i position the clients bits using the disposable thong or discreatly manouver them with the strip. I will look into using oil, even tho i dont have a prob;em at present, its always good to look at something new i guess.

hehe.. glad you clarified that... I do take the health of my clients very seriously. My clients watch me wash my hands before and after I wax them, as well as using antibac gel.

I use the nitrile gloves for piercing... Love them

I enjoy reading that..thats awesome i've done lots of waxing but I haven't gone to that part yet..So thanks so much everything understand and simple..just what I needed..........AAAAAAAA+++++++++

Thanks kate, i have a waxing course to go to in january and your tutorial has been really helpful

Can i just say that if you play your fingers over the waxed area it takes away any pain for the client (play your fingers as if playing the piano), or tapping.

Thanks for the tutorial, I am fairly new to waxing, so it is useful. Just a couple of questions if you don't mind! When would you use scissors to trim the hair? And if so how short would you need to trim it to?
There has been occasions at college when clients have come in with a proper bush and the strip has got stuck!
Also I am worried that if I use too much force I will remove the top layer of skin!!
Thanks

There is no reason to trim unless the hair is really out of control. If you must trim, then no shorter than 1/4".

If you and your client are pulling the skin as tight as possible, you really shouldn't have problems with the wax sticking, and applying oil to the area before wax will ensure that you do not remove any skin.

Yeah, The hair at the sides shouldnt be too much problem a bit longer.

one place that may need a little trim is at the bottom of the landing strip at the front, you know the bit where the hair from both sides kinda forms a curl?? this will just make things a little easier to access and you can see what your doing better! oh its so annoying! lol.



Oh, and also you may also struggle if the hairs underneath (nearer to the bum cheeks) are too long, as when you are pulling the strip downwards (towards the bed) you kind of run out of room to pull properly, and if the hairs longer it may cause you a problem. To combat this without trimming you can ask the client to raise their bum off the bed a bit, to give you more room. but the might not have the strength (i know its not really hard but some people just arent as agile as others!!) in which case you may fine it easier to get them to raise their leg in the aiir and pull their knee to their chest, this kind of lifts their bum without them struggling too much!

im sure everyone will find their own ways of positioning clients so they can do the best job!!

Hi

I just found this site..awesome and very educational. I just graduated and will start working in a few weeks. I found this great educational dvd "The Whole Ball of Wax" by Lori Nestore .... it is great...great tips on waxing from brows to toes and everything in between....check her website out at Eva's Esthetics .. I purchased it and just love it!!