March 31, 2025waxing education

Waxing Is a Team Effort: How to Work with Your Clients for Better Results

As a wax professional, you know that your expertise, tools, and technique play a crucial role in delivering smooth, long-lasting results. However, achieving the best outcome isn’t just about what happens during the appointment—it’s a team effort between you and your client. By guiding them through proper pre- and post-wax care, along with some tips of the trade, you can ensure optimal results every time.

Setting the Stage: Pre-Wax Care

Preparation makes all the difference when it comes to waxing. Help your clients get the most out of their appointment with these essential pre-wax tips:

  • Let It Grow – Encourage clients to avoid shaving between waxes. For the wax to properly adhere, hair should be at least ¼ inch long, typically around three to four weeks of growth.

  • Exfoliation is Key – Regular exfoliation helps prevent ingrown hairs and promotes smoother skin. Recommend using a gentle body wash and exfoliating gloves to keep their skin primed for their next wax.

  • Timing Matters for Showering – While clean skin is important, advise clients to shower at least two hours before their appointment to avoid excess moisture that could affect the waxing process.

  • Skip the Lotions and Sprays – Oils, lotions, self-tanners, and deodorants can create a barrier between the wax and the hair, making removal less effective. Remind clients to come with clean, product-free skin.

  • Avoid Heat Exposure – Tanning, saunas, and hot tubs can increase skin sensitivity, so encourage clients to book their appointment at least two days before sun exposure.

In the Salon: Your Role as a Wax Pro

As a wax professional, there are steps you can take during treatments to help keep challenges such as redness and ingrown hairs under control. Your immediate post-wax care routine is just as important as the waxing itself. Consider these essential steps:

  • Soothe the Skin – Apply a calming oil pre-wax and then an essential oil immediately after waxing to cool and relax the skin.

  • Reduce Redness and Heat – Use a soothing cream to help with irritation and keep skin comfortable.

  • Target Breakout-Prone Clients – If a client is especially prone to breakouts, apply a blemish-control treatment to suppress bacteria and minimize irritation.

  • Promote Healing – These steps will help keep hair follicles clear, inhibit bacterial growth, and jump-start the healing process, ensuring a smoother, healthier result.

The Finishing Touch: Post-Wax Care

What happens after a waxing session is just as important as what happens during it. Educate your clients on these post-wax care essentials to maintain smooth, healthy skin:

  • Stay Cool and Avoid Sweat – Waxing temporarily removes a layer of dead skin cells, leaving skin more sensitive. Advise clients to avoid direct sun exposure, workouts, or excessive heat for at least two hours post-wax.

  • Prevent Breakouts and Irritation – A soothing post-wax gel with natural antibacterial ingredients can keep follicles clear and minimize bumps.

  • Exfoliate and Hydrate – 24 hours after waxing, clients should start exfoliating again using their body wash and gloves to prevent ingrown hairs and promote healthy regrowth. Hydration is equally important to keep skin looking good.

  • Stick to a Schedule – Regular waxing every four weeks helps train hair to grow back finer and softer while reducing discomfort over time.