Published: Jul 7, 2008
By Renew

The perfect wax is reflected not only in the smooth results, but in the experience of your client. Our hair removal expert, Shala Dveirin says giving clients these six tips “brings the waxing service full circle—and it’s the right way to take care of your client.” Here’s how to give them the best experience—each and every time.

1. Recommend that clients take two to four ibuprofen, 30 to 60 minutes before the appointment. You cannot give the medicine to the client yourself, but if they heed your advice, it will help dull pain receptors and make it a more pleasant experience for you both.

2. Make sure clients allow seven to 10 days of hair growth before their waxing service. “I like to use that time frame, because people will say, ¼ to ⅜ inch long, but even being the esthetician doing the service, I have a hard time figuring that out,” says Dveirin. “If they come in at five days, it’s not long enough, but if it’s super long, it is going to be more painful.”

3. Have clients limit their caffeine intake on the day of the waxing service, since it stimulates the nervous system and increases sensitivity.

4. Advise clients to schedule their appointment within the first two weeks of their menstrual cycle, after the last period, if possible. “At this time, they’re retaining the least amount of fluid, and it’s a lot more comfortable,” says Dveirin.

5. Make sure clients don’t use self-tanners, exfoliants or moisturizers the day of the service—it can cause infections or irritations since the sensitive hair follicles are open after the wax. They should avoid the tanning bed –in general–but especially post-wax.

6. As an esthetician, you should never wax a new area of someone’s body for the first time before a big event. “You just don’t know what kind of reaction there might be,” says Dveirin. “Even for a client I’ve been working on for awhile and know how they're going to react, I still have them come in two to three days before the big event to make sure there’s no reaction.”

In each issue, waxing expert Shala Dveirin will be offering up tips, advice and techniques on everything related to waxing and hair removal. She’ll also be answering your questions in each edition of the monthly Renew Reports: Skin Care newsletter. You can send your questions to renewprofessional@vancepublishing.com.