While unpleasant, side effects of waxing, like ingrown hairs, dark spots, redness, irritation, and over-exposure, are a reality. However, the right arsenal of pre- and post-waxing products can help to ease the burden of such unwanted reactions.
Rrrrriiiiiiiipppppppp! This is the sound every waxing client dreads! They know the feeling that comes along with it! It’s the number one job of every aesthetician to try to make waxing more comfortable.
There are many tips and tricks that can be picked up over the years to make the waxing experience less harsh. Some say it is the type of wax, others say it is all in the application of the wax, and still others say it is the finesse the aesthetician uses after the wax is ripped off.
There is really no right or wrong answer. Waxing is a harsh treatment and you are going to be removing hair by the root, and some layers of skin at the same time. Being sure to provide a quick, and minimally painful, experience is a must to keep a smile on the client’s face.
5 RECOMMENDATIONS TO EASE THE HARSH SIDE EFFECTS OF WAXING
Take a poll of anyone who has ever offered waxing services. You will see that they all tell you there are at least five major side effects that clients will end up dealing with based on their skin type, skin tone, and hair type. We have seen this for as long as we have been in the business.
Treating Ingrown Hairs
Many dislike discussing how they get unwanted hair removed and they really do not want to discuss an infected hair follicle that is the result of an ingrown hair. Men and women with coarse hair are more prone to getting ingrown hairs. They can easily be eliminated by using a product specially formulated to keep the follicle open, so the hair will not have the opportunity to grow back inside.
Treating Dark Spots
Dark spots are only a harsh side effect for men and women with a Fitzpatrick skin type of 3, 4, or 5. They are the result of trauma to the skin from over-exfoliation or an ingrown hair. This hyperpigmentation of the skin needs to be lightened over the course of time with a combination of exfoliation and brightening ingredients that are safe for dark skin tones.
Combatting Redness
The strip is ripped off and the client turns bright red. It is just how some skin reacts to the treatment. A calming after-wax product should be applied to the skin. Herbal and botanical products tend to offer a nice touch.
Easing Irritation
No matter the level of efficiency during waxing services, there is no avoiding the fact that the treatment will irritate the skin. It will pull off live and dead skin cells and remove hair at the root. When an aesthetician does a deeply exfoliating facial treatment, they always work to bring the skin back into balance afterwards. Apply post-waxing products that will sooth and nourish skin that is slightly irritated from the exfoliation of a waxing service.
Preventing Over-Exposure
Waxing will expose new, fresh skin cells to the sun and elements. This barrage of harsh rays and pollutants can start to damage these fresh skin cells unless some sort of antioxidant protection is provided. Antioxidants will provide plenty of protection to fight off free radicals. This extra level of care and protection to clients’ skin will elevate the quality of the treatment.
With the proper post-waxing products on the back bar, clients will experience relief from the most common harsh side effects of waxing. This, combined with high quality pre-wax products, will take an average, every day wax to a new level. Clients will remember the exceptional service and refer family and friends.