Intimate knowledge

As demand for intimate waxing treatments rises at this time of year, here’s what you need to know if you plan to include this specialised service in your salon

Training and upskilling

“A waxing qualification is divided into two parts,” explains Ionela Birsan, owner of Premium Beauty Supplies, which distributes Italwax Italy. “First you must complete a basic waxing course, which will allow you to wax body parts such as legs, underarms and upper lip. After you have completed this first part, you will be able to go on and do advanced waxing, which will train you in intimate waxing.

Therefore, both of these qualifications are required to be an intimate waxing specialist.”

“All good waxing companies will offer training to salons and spas to demonstrate the best methods to make intimate waxing as comfortable as possible for clients, and to get the best results,” says Audrey Sorohan, Harley Wax Ireland.

“We would always recommend therapists to upskill regularly, and continue to update and refresh their training,” says Aoife Harris, head educator for Waxperts.

“This will ensure you are carrying out treatments safely, and getting the most from your product range, with minimum waste.”

Establish trust

”Many clients feel anxious about intimate waxing, so a good professional must be able to gain their trust and put them at ease, while showing confidence in their own technique,” says Wax:one education ambassador Kirsti Turrell.

“You need to be knowledgeable about the intimate waxing treatments you are offering,” says Sorohan. “Explain the relevant one in detail to your client, so they are fully aware of what is involved in the treatment they have booked. Tell them about your excellent hygiene policies, and that you keep up-to-date with your waxing skills by doing refresher courses.”

“It’s good practice to have a Q&A leaflet on hand, especially if your client has never had an intimate wax before,” advises Lisa Stone, waxing expert and Salon System educator. “Talk them through what will happen, as when they know what to expect, they will feel more relaxed .”

‘Many clients feel anxious about intimate waxing, so a good professional must be able to gain their trust and put them at ease’

Picking your product

“Always make sure the product that you are using is suitable for you client’s type of hair and skin,” says Birsan. “Some clients have more sensitive skin than others, so I would suggest that you use a hypoallergenic wax, which is specially formulated for clients with extra sensitive skin. Choosing your products correctly makes your job easier, and the treatment more comfortable for your client.

“For example, if your client has dark, deep-rooted hairs, it’s not a good idea to use a soft wax because this type of wax is aimed at light, blonde hairs and won’t

“We would always recommend using a hot wax with a pre-wax oil on the bikini area to protect the skin,” says Harris.

“Using a pre-wax oil is an essential step in all hot wax treatments, in order to create a barrier between the client’s skin and the wax. The oil will ensure that the wax will only grip on to the hair, and not the skin. This makes the treatment much more comfortable for the client, while protecting and soothing the skin.”

Contraindications

“There are many contraindications to waxing, but there are a few more specific contraindications to take into consideration when carrying out an intimate waxing service,” says Stone.

“These include STIs, UTIs, some medications, menstruation, injury and lack of flexibility, and piercings, which will need to be removed or protected. Because of the area you are working on, there will be remove dark hairs all at once. You will have to apply this wax again, making the session longer and more painful for your client. It’s also a waste of product. So, always make sure you have two or three types of wax on your trolley, and choose the correct one for your client.”

‘We would always recommend using a hot wax with a pre-wax oil on the bikini area to protect the skin’

“A good quality waxing product should have a low melt temperature, so it's comfortable on the client’s skin,” says Sorohan. “The hot wax should be flexible and easy to work with, and not be brittle or liable to break.” an age limit for this service, so always check with your insurance.”

“Patch testing is also very important – this will let you know if your client is allergic to any ingredients that your wax contains,” says Birsan. “Always make sure you patch test at least 48 hours before the appointment, and test for the pre-wax and post-wax products, along with for the wax itself.”

“It’s a good idea to update your client’s consultation form every six months, and repeat a patch test if necessary, or if there have been changes on the client’s consultation form,” says Harris.

Aftercare

“Aftercare advice is very important to give the client before they leave the salon, as their pores are still open for the first 24 hours after the after waxing treatment,” says Sorohan. “During this time they should keep their skin cool, clean and calm. They should then exfoliate regularly as this will remove any dead skin or product, making sure that when their hair grows back, it can do so without getting trapped under the skin.”

“We recommend that the client returns every four weeks, because anything less than that, the hair might be too short to be waxed, and anything more than that, the hair might be too long to be waxed, which leads to hair breakage, instead of it being pulled out from the roots,” says Birsan. “Along with not shaving between appointments, they should also moisturise to keep the skin soft.”

“Make sure you have retail options in your salon, such as body scrubs, exfoliation mitts, and oils and lotions,” says Turrell. “It’s also a good idea to have a product to reduce/prevent ingrown hairs for clients who are prone to them. And ask your clients to review their appointment and allow others to read about their positive experiences. The best way to promote intimate waxing to new clients is to share current client feedback.” PBHJ