It is safe to say, intimate skin care has evolved greatly in the last decade and has become more popular, with high demand from both women and men. Intimate skin care has also created a specific niche within the skin care industry that any skin care provider could make a highly successful career out of alone. It is no longer just waxing and laser treatments…

There are two main types of wax that professionals may use for hair removal services. Hot wax is often referred to as hard wax and strip wax as soft wax. When should you use hard wax versus strip wax? How do you know which to pick? What is the difference between hard wax beads and the traditional brick packaging? Below are the answers to these…

Even during COVID-19, non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as laser hair removal remain in high demand. While it has been commercially available for about 25-years, technology advances continue to make laser hair removal a very desirable procedure today. In fact, according to the website “American Society of Plastic Surgeons” as of 2019, it remains in the top five non-surgical cosmetic procedures, along with Botox and similar-type injections, dermal fillers, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.

Louis Silberman, CEO of National Laser Institute, pioneered the medical aesthetics training industry and is the largest educator in the country. Its medical spa operations see up to 3,000 clients per month. Silberman was a semi-finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014 (prior award recipients include the founders of Google, Starbucks, and Amazon). Known for starting Health4her.com – a health and beauty retailer which became the sixth most visited pharmacy website with 500,000 visitors per month – out of his garage, Silberman has been written up in many publications.  

No matter which method ischosen to perform,whether male or female bikini hair removal services, this article will help professionals succeed in giving clients the best possible care. Professionals must have a passion for caring for clients andeducating as many people as possible about the benefits of professional hair removal. 

Catherine Kooiman is a licensed aesthetician with over 25 years of experience in the beauty industry. She is the founder and CEO of Skin So Sweet and Get Sugared Inc. The two companies were established in 2006 as one of the first sugaring for hair removal establishments in Orange County, California. Kooiman has spent the last 15 years cultivating her passion for providing excellent service. She is also a master sugaring educator who started an educational, professional supplies, and product distribution company called Sweet Professional in November of 2012. While operating Sweet Professional Inc. to help lead the sugaring movement for five years, she cultivated a training and certification platform that successfully certified over 1,600 sugaring practitioners.

Sugaring is by no means a new hair removal method. In fact, it has been around for thousands of years, hailing from the Middle East.This article will discuss the science behind professional body sugaring, which has been around for roughly 30-years. 

Lina Kennedy is the president and CEO of Alexandria Professional, a worldwide leader in body sugaring epilation and skin conditioning. Kennedy is the pioneer of professional body sugaring and master trainer of professionals and distributors in more than 30 countries. As a beauty industry innovator, Kennedy has developed a full line of all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free skin care products and treatments that are safe and effective for all hair and skin types. Kennedy is dedicated to ensuring that each professional trained in body sugaring learns and understands the exceptional results they and their clients can achieve through the Kennedy Theory. She is a motivational speaker, the author of numerous articles in beauty magazines, and a multi-patent holder. 

Unwanted facial and body hair growth can be problematic for both men and women alike. Sometimes excessive hairiness can be genetic or caused by a hormonal imbalance, such as hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome. Whether it is medical or simply a preference, hair removal has been one of the most common aesthetic treatments offered in spas for decades.

Waxing, threading, and sugaring are only temporary solutions. Laser and light-based technology for hair removal offers a semi-permanent treatment and has become one of the fastest-growing procedures in the beauty industry, with more than 385,0000 laser hair removal procedures performed in 2018. Laser treatments are safe and effective, no matter the skin color, when properly administered. This article will discuss the right laser for a client’s skin type and help demonstrate the differences between these lasers. 

Annette Hanson is the founder of Atelier Esthétique Institute of Esthetics in Manhattan, a New York state licensing, NACCAS-accredited skin care school, post-graduate facility, and the first United States aesthetics college to be recognized by London’s International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC).Her professional experience spans more than 30 years as a Paris-trained aesthetician, waxing specialist, body therapist, salon manager, and spa consultant. A creator of two product lines, she is also a published author and sought-after lecturer at leading professional conferences worldwide. She was instrumental in the development of the 600-hour curriculum for the New York state aesthetics license, as well as the written and practical exam. She served as an educator on the Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee to New York’s Secretary of State. She was inducted into the Aesthetics International Association (A.I.A.) industry legends in August 2009 by DERMASCOPE Magazine. She is on the leadership committee of the ASCP Skin Care School Council (Associated Skin Care Professionals).

“How do I achieve the perfect eyebrow?” is one of the most common questions asked at most waxing spas. It is a great question because perfectly groomed eyebrows are important for balancing facial features, framing the eyes, and contouring the shape of the face. Waxing is a quick, lasting, and (relatively) painless way to achieve the perfect shape.

VISUALIZE

Start by analyzing the eyebrow shape and how the client would like them to look. What is the client’s style? Does the client prefer thick or thin eyebrows? Are they growing them out or are they wanting a more defined look?

To determine where to remove the hair from, align a pencil from the inner corner of the eye to the side of the nose. Any hair growth between the eyebrows from this point inward should be removed. Then place the pencil vertically so that it passes across the outer edge of the iris. The highest point of the eyebrow should be where the pencil reaches the eyebrow. Finally, place the pencil from the corner of the nose to the outer corner of the eye to determine the minimum length of the outward taper of the eyebrow.

PREPARE THE SKIN

Next, it is time to prepare the skin for waxing. Use a hospital-grade antiseptic cleanser applied to the skin before waxing. Look for cleansers formulated with jasmine and chamomile, as these ingredients help remove any surface residue and makeup. It is also recommended to use a cleanser immediately following the wax as it helps to close the hair follicles. Once the area is cleansed, apply a very thin layer of pre-waxing oil to soothe and protect the skin. Pre-waxing oil ensures the wax grips the hair and not the skin – now the skin is ready to be waxed.

Only a small amount of oil is required. It can be easier to put a few drops on the back of the hand and apply it from there. This helps to control the quantity of oil being applied, and it is easily accessible for reapplication during the service. If there is too much oil, the wax will not grab the hair effectively. If not enough oil is used, the client’s skin could be exposed.

APPLICATION

 There are several hot, hard waxes that are perfect for facial area waxing. Hard wax is a top choice for pulling super-short hairs and leaving skin silky soft. Use waxes containing extra soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera, arnica, and argan oil. It is also incredibly pliable. Note that the first wax application should always be applied in the direction of the hair growth, which reduces the possibility of catching any longer hairs. Applying it this way for the first application also allows the wax to pick up most of the hair making the subsequent applications easier. Always remove the wax against the hair growth and hold the skin firmly with one hand to prevent unnecessary and painful pulling on the skin.

Start with a small amount of wax on the tip of the applicator stick and place it carefully on the skin underneath the eyebrow closest to the eye. Then using a rolling action, carefully push the wax out along the eyebrow line.

REAPPLICATION

Now that most of the hair has already been removed, it is okay to go back over the same area by applying the wax in the opposite direction of the hair growth, which will pick up those last stubborn hairs. Finally, once the skin care professional is satisfied and has created the perfect eyebrow, apply a favorite after-wax care product. A soothing product is a great choice and offers the client a light, moisturizing, and soothing lotion for aftercare use. Look for products with the ingredients like tea tree oil, which is well known for its antibacterial benefits. Finally, it is time to show the client the result.

Practice makes perfect. A great way to practice is to draw eyebrows on the back of a hand and use this palette as practice for wax application repeatedly. Having a quality wax product that the practitioner is confident in is a key factor to their success and clients’ overall satisfaction.

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON Wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.

There are many reasons to start a business. The most successful businesses are often built from passion by finding something you love doing and then making it your job. Whatever the reason for starting a business, the most important factor is how it is going to make money. All businesses need a profit to survive. Often, businesses can become too focused on sales growth and can lose sight of their costs. Reducing and controlling costs is critical in order to keep your business alive and thriving. Here are a few ways that your business may be losing money and some tips on how to fix it!There are many reasons to start a business. The most successful businesses are often built from passion by finding something you love doing and then making it your job. Whatever the reason for starting a business, the most important factor is how it is going to make money. All businesses need a profit to survive. Often, businesses can become too focused on sales growth and can lose sight of their costs. Reducing and controlling costs is critical in order to keep your business alive and thriving. Here are a few ways that your business may be losing money and some tips on how to fix it!

PRODUCT USAGE
Considering the correct usage and application of the waxing products you are using in your spa can help eliminate waste and reduce costs. Asking the supplier or distributor if they can provide you with a usage chart can help you better understand the cost per service. When it comes to waxing, consider using a strip wax that is applied super thinly, as it will allow you to get more waxes per jar. Less wax buildup means less buildup on strips, so you are able to reduce the amount of strips you use per wax. Additionally, choosing a hard wax that can pull the short, stubborn hairs the first time will mean less applications and, therefore, less wax usage. Once you have selected the products you will be using, keep track of the actual usage. Be aware of small things like making sure all wax is scraped from the bottom of the jar before being thrown out, as overtime that small amount of wax can equal a large amount of wasted product and money. Routine check-ins with the team will help to manage product usage and bring costs down.

STAFF EFFICIENCY
Scheduling your team can be one of the most important aspects of your business, as the payroll expense is often one of the largest. Analyzing the flow of your business throughout the day and the week will allow you to know when your busy times are versus slower, quieter times. During those busy times, ensure you have the appropriate number of staff on the schedule in order to fully maximize your business’ capacity. If you find there are times when things are quiet and staff does have some downtime, make sure to use this time to keep the team engaged by having them perform tasks, such as counting inventory, cleaning their room, cutting wax strips, or practicing on each other. Not only will managing the staff schedule closely make the business more efficient, it will reduce staff costs and grow the bottom line.

MISSED APPOINTMENTS POLICY
Do you currently have a missed appointment policy? If not, this is something to consider. A missed appointment is a missed opportunity. Although it might not seem like a problem, a lot of missed appointments add up and can cost the business a lot of money, as these are appointments that could have been filled by another client. Developing a missed appointment policy and staying consistent with using it will likely help clients to respect that booked appointment and reduce the chances of them missing it. Sending a text, making a phone call, or sending an e-mail reminder at least 24 hours in advance can help reduce those missed appointments. Plus, clients often appreciate the check-in and it is a great time to remind them of the pre-appointment recommendations for their wax, such as not shaving prior to the appointment or answer any questions they may have. 

NEW VERSUS CURRENT CLIENTS
The cost of acquiring new clients is higher than retaining current ones. One of the main reasons for this is that the outreach to new clients can be expensive, depending on the marketing strategy used. Additionally, it can be challenging to measure how effective these marketing campaigns are. Although reaching out to new clients is still important to grow sales, continuing to build loyalty with current clients can cost less and also grow sales. Retaining clients can be as simple as providing the best possible service that you can by using quality wax products, showing clients they are important by offering simple promotions, or creating a loyalty program. Remember, loyal clients trust you and are going to be keen to spread the word to their network. As a result, a new client base will naturally grow without a lot of financial investment. 

Finally, as you focus on the areas that might be losing money, don’t forget there are certain elements that won’t cost a cent and will positively affect your business. Remember to always welcome clients in the door with a smile and be confident that when they leave you have provided them with a more pleasurable waxing experience. 

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON Wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.

Laser hair removal has grown in popularity over the last several years. LASER is an acronym for light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation. This type of hair removal was not always an option for higher Fitzpatrick types due to the melanin in the skin. To understand how to safely perform laser, professionals must first understand how laser works. Laser treatments offer permanent hair reduction and, due to updated equipment and technology, now this treatment is available to nearly anyone.

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF FITZPATRICK SKIN TYPES
Type I is white and very fair – they have a tendency to always burn and never tan. Type II is also fair skin; features may be a bit darker than type I, but this skin type still burns easily. Type III is typically cream white skin which sometimes burns but will gradually tan with repeated sun exposure. Type IV is Mediterranean skin which rarely burns and gradually tans. Type V is Middle Eastern skin which tends to be rarely sun sensitive and tans easily. Type VI is black skin which is also rarely sun sensitive and tans well. Understanding Fitzpatrick types for both an aesthetician and a client will be crucial for performing a safe and effective treatment.

HOW LASER WORKS
Laser works by utilizing pulses of light to target the pigment in hair follicles. The light energy is absorbed by areas of high pigment, which is the melanin. Once the light energy makes contact with the hair follicle, it transfers the energy to heat energy. Over time and several treatments, this will damage the follicle and reduce and even prevent the hair growth.

Heavily pigmented skin can affect the laser’s ability to be able to differentiate the melanin in the skin from the melanin in the hair. Melanin in the skin will cause the wavelengths to react before the laser reaches its target. The risk of damage to the skin is far greater when there is not as much contrast with the skin and the hair.

WHICH LASERS TO LOOK FOR
When it comes to safe options for higher Fitzpatrick types, longer wavelengths are the best alternative. A great option is the 1,064 nanometers YAG, which is yttrium aluminum garnet. The YAG is a crystal, specifically a garnet, that is used as a laser medium. It will emit light with a wavelength of 1064 on the infrared spectrum of light. This type of laser has the ability to pick up even the smallest pigment differences that are present between hair and skin. This wavelength is sufficient to achieve significant damage to the dark coarse hairs, while not damaging the epidermal pigment. The YAG allows the energy delivered from the laser to occur over a longer period of time, which in turn gives the skin more time to allow for the heat to dissipate. This will help minimize post-treatment blistering or any pigment changes that may be associated with laser treatments.

WHY COOLING PLATES ARE SO IMPORTANT
When it is time to choose laser equipment, cooling plates should be an important part of the decision. Cooling the skin before, during, and after treatment is crucial for preventing any epidermal damage that may occur, especially on more pigmented skin. Risks of not cooling may include increase in pain, blistering, scarring, and pigmentation. By cooling the skin, this will prevent the epidermis from reaching the temperature beyond the threshold temperature responsible for thermal injury. Cooling plates will help to protect the epidermis, reduce overall discomfort, minimize erythema, and improve the overall efficacy of the treatment. 

In every aspect, it is important to do as much research as possible to understand what the options are for any safe and effective treatment. As professionals, it’s our job to thoroughly know and understand Fitzpatrick types. We should alway err on the side of caution when making this determination. Train on the equipment and know how to properly understand the settings of the machine and the science behind what you are doing.

We are fortunate to live in a time where everyone has options to have safe, effective, and comfortable treatments. Research is crucial when finding a safe and knowledgeable place.

Andrea Gregaydis is a licensed aesthetician and international CIDESCO diplomat.  She holds multiple additional licenses as a New York state instructor and nail technician, as well as certified laser technician. Gregaydis is the lead instructor at the Aesthetic Science Institute and has over 10 years of experience as a practitioner, team coordinator, and role model for hundreds of future skin care professionals. She is a contributing author to top industry trade magazines, as well as a speaker at various aesthetics conferences across the United States.

At this point, you can probably spot a first-time Brazilian client the moment you head to the waiting area to greet them. She’s going to have at least one person with her for support, she’s laughing nervously and glancing around trying to figure out what everyone else is getting, and, as you walk her back (without her friend), she’s already asking questions. “How many of these have you done?,” “do you do your own?,” “has anyone every passed out?,” “is it as bad as child birth or a kidney stone?,” “I know I can’t have sex, that’s what Google said.,” “should I have worn underwear?,” “am I going to be naked?” I answer any and all questions a client asks about their service, no matter how insane they might be to me. If it relaxes them, then it is worth the time and effort to be patient.

The moment we enter the treatment room, I start giving instructions on undressing and body positioning on the table and then leave them to it. Nine times out of 10, they do exactly what I say, but that tenth one is always upside down on the table, still fully dressed, wearing the wipe as a DIY vaginal drape, or they’ve pulled back the mat and shimmied under the blankets, which they now have pulled up to their ears. After they are put to rights, I snap on gloves, explain the process as I am cleaning, and begin. From that moment on, it is all movement and conversation. Talking gives the first-timer something to concentrate on besides the pain and moving quickly gives them less opportunity to be dramatic – grabbing at your waxing hand, screaming, yelling, closing their legs, the usual. Before they know it, we are headed back to the desk, hair-free, and maybe walking a little funny.

But, it wasn’t always so easy for me. Just like clients have their first time, so do we. I will be perfectly honest with you. The first Brazilian wax I did as a licensed aesthetician did not go well. I am pretty sure I killed the 70-year-old client who was just trying to add some spice to her 50^th wedding anniversary with a bit of hair removal. I am exaggerating, for effect, but, essentially, I drizzled hard wax on the top of her pubic mound and then yanked the dried wax like I was trying to start a lawn mower. Did you just visualize that process? Trust me, it was much worse to be there. What makes it even more cringeworthy is that it was her first wax of any sort, ever.

When I was teaching, I told this story to every single group of students I taught. The look of horror on their faces as I mimed yanking a strip while standing front and center of the class was worth the nickname: the drizzler. But, mostly, I wanted them to appreciate the amazing wax training they received from my co-teacher. When I was a student, our training consisted of the instructor lying down a single strip, rubbing the muslin until wax oozed through, ripping it with all her might and, then, shouting, “Go practice! You know everything you need to wax.” I know an elderly woman who would vehemently disagree with that statement. Thank goodness wax education has improved.

Shelly Steadman is a licensed aesthetician and educator with over 11 years’ experience in the skin care industry. After spending the last six years of her career behind a teacher’s podium training new aestheticians, she transitioned back into a treatment room. Steadman is currently working as an aesthetician at artistrySPASALON in the beautiful city of Franklin, Tennessee.