Hot stuff! Maximising your waxing services
Waxing expert, Lisa Stone, offers some professional guidance on Summer Waxing.
It's that time of year again when we are all starting to get our bodies summer ready, and although we may not all be able to jet off to exotic far away beaches this year because of COVID-19, that doesn't mean we all want to be walking around fluffy and fury either.
With hot sunny days and long summer nights clients will be flashing the flesh and seeking that smooth silky soft hair free skin. Waxing is perfect for fuss free results that leave skin smooth and hair free for weeks.
Summer waxing is our busiest time so there are a number of things to consider during the summer weeks to keep you out of sticky situations.
Be ready! Be prepared!
Your client base is likely to increase during waxing season and with having to take time in between clients for cleaning and sterilising your treatment area your time is precious and your time is money.
Make sure you are up to speed with your techniques that allow you to wax quickly and carry out ‘speed waxing techniques'; this will allow you to reduce appointment times making time for cleaning and help you book in more clients.
Just a few tweaks to your routine, such as trolley placement, having a trolley on wheels, loading the spatula well, wax application and the type of wax you use can make such a big difference to the time it takes you to carry out your treatments. Understanding your wax and hair types and areas are so important for helping with speed and removal.
Make sure you are well stocked up; you don't want to be running out of spatulas or wax during your busy day and now we have to think about extra PPE so make sure you have plenty of that in stock too.
Expand your waxing services
Summer is a great time to expand your waxing services and encourage new clients. If you only offer services to female clients, this is a great time of year to grab those male clients who are seeking out the smooth hair free back and chest to show off round the pool and keep a little fresher and cooler.
Pre-waxing prep
Make sure your clients come prepared for their waxing. Advise they wear loose light clothing to their appointment to allow skin to stay cool and calm after the service.
Skin can often be dry in the summer so advising the client to exfoliate their skin a few days before their wax will help to remove dead skin build up that can slow down removal of wax and encourage ingrown hairs.
Remind clients that skin shouldn't be exposed to UV in the last 24 hours or show signs of erythema (sunburn). If waxed, burnt skin or skin that has been over exposed to UV can burn, graze, become extremely irritated and lead to hyperpigmentation.
Always advise correct after care also as this can be a problem in the summer after waxing if skin is exposed to UV after waxing.
Choose the right wax
Summer waxing can mean hot sweaty treatments rooms and hot clammy skin which in turn can pose a problem for some waxes. Some waxes don't perform well in such conditions and can take a long time to dry and make removal difficult.
Look out for a fast-drying hot wax. I recommend Salon System JUST WAX Expert Hot Wax. It sets quickly and also has a colour indicator to let you know when it's ready to remove, great for speeding up your treatment times too.
If that's not fast enough for you, a great little tip is to wipe over your hot wax application with a cold wet cotton wool pad this will help to set your wax. Alternatively use a pre cleansing gel, such as Just Wax Expert Cleanse & Prime, which melts into a serum that removes any impurities on the surface of the skin and is instantly refreshing and cooling. It's great to apply after waxing especially on areas like the underarms and bikini, back and chest and even the top lip that can perspire during and after waxing. Its alcohol free formula won't sting and will give an extra cooling affect before your soothing lotion.
Lisa Stone is a Waxing expert and Educator for Salon System.