Hard wax, which is also known as hot wax, is a type of depilatory wax that is applied directly to the skin and removed without a strip. It is perfect for sensitive areas of the body, such as the underarms, face, and bikini area. The benefits of using a quality hot wax include the ability to remove short, stubborn hair; ease of use; and reduced redness and irritation of the skin.

1. Begin by heating the wax in a wax warmer with an adjustable temperature control. It is best to heat the wax on the highest temperature. After 15 minutes or more, turn the temperature down to a cool working temperature, which, for hard wax, is about 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If the wax in the heater becomes too hot, the quickest and easiest way to cool the wax is to add cold wax to the heater.

2. Cleanse the client’s skin prior to applying the hard wax. Cleansing the skin will remove any debris, such as makeup or dirt, on the surface of the skin and allow the wax to properly set and shrink wrap the hair. Ensure that the selected cleanser is gentle on the skin and suitable for use on all areas of the client’s body.

3. After cleansing the skin, apply a very small amount of a pre-waxing oil to the client’s desired waxing area. A quality pre-wax oil will add an extra layer of protection so that the wax does not stick to the client’s skin; it will also pre-soothe their skin. Only a small amount of oil is required – the skin should not appear oily. In order to retrieve a small amount of oil from a pump bottle, tap on the pump instead of pumping it.

4. Apply the wax against the direction of the hair growth with a good amount of pressure and spread it to about the thickness of a banana skin’s thickness back in the direction of the hair growth, creating a lip on the edge.

5. Check the wax to ensure it has set and then remove it against the hair growth, immediately applying pressure to the waxed area in order to soothe the skin. Always remove hard wax with flexible wrists and pull the wax off like an airplane taking off, bending around the contours of the body. A low-working temperature, quality hard wax can be applied to the same area multiple times with the use of pre-waxing oil in-between applications. The oil ensures that there is always a layer of protection on the skin.

6. After waxing, cleanse the skin, which will help to close the hair follicles and ensure there is nothing left on the skin that could cause irritation.

7. Follow with the application of an after care product or an ingrown hair treatment. After care products that contain ingredients such as aloe, tea tree, or chamomile are effective at soothing the skin and provide additional antibacterial benefits. An effective ingrown treatment should be gentle and contain active ingredients such as salicylic acid.

8. Educate the client on how they should take care of their skin in-between waxing treatments. Remind them that routinely exfoliating and moisturizing will help to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs and breakouts. Recommend that they avoid sun exposure for at least 24 hours before and after waxing.

Lydia Jordane, CEO and founder of LYCON Cosmetics, is an internationally acclaimed beauty therapist and opened her own salon. She quickly built up a successful waxing and skin care business and began selling her wax to salons. Over the years, the brand continued to grow and is now exported to over 60 countries around the world. LYCON is known for the gentlest hair removal, is virtually pain-free, removes hair as short as one milometer, does not leave the skin red, and allows the skin to be hair-free for a longer period.