Waxing & Melanin: What Pros Need to Know
It’s true, every successful wax service begins with knowledge of skin, hair, and most importantly, the client walking into the treatment room. And when it comes to melanin-rich or pigment-prone skin, preparation isn’t just helpful, it’s critical. This is where a thoughtful pre-wax plan minimizes irritation, reduces the risk of hyperpigmentation, and helps clients leave with smooth, glowing results.
Melanin & Waxing: Why It Matters
Melanin is the natural pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. While it’s protective against UV damage, it also influences how skin responds to irritation or trauma. Clients with higher melanin levels—often categorized on the darker end of the Fitzpatrick Scale—are more likely to experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation if their skin barrier is stressed.
For waxing professionals, understanding melanin means understanding risk. Choosing the right wax formula, emphasizing gentle techniques, and stressing pre- and post-care can make all the difference. Done right, waxing can actually help—removing hair cleanly at the root reduces the repeated trauma caused by shaving and tweezing, which can worsen pigment flare-ups. The result: smoother skin, more even tone, and happier clients.
Exfoliation: The Hero of Pre-Wax Care
Dead skin buildup interferes with wax stickiness, contributes to ingrown hairs, and increases the risk of pigment issues. Pre-treatment exfoliation clears the way for better wax results and smoother skin afterward.
Encourage clients to exfoliate daily between appointments with the Berodin Body Exfoliation Kit—a pairing of all-natural body wash and exfoliation gloves.
- What to Use: Glycolic acid for gentle resurfacing, Pine Essential Oil, and Bladderwrack to condition and refresh.
- When to Use: Daily between waxes, paying attention to dry or ingrown-prone areas.
- Why It Works: Prepares the skin barrier, prevents bumps, and primes for a flawless wax.
When wax pros understand melanin, hyperpigmentation, and the Fitzpatrick Scale, waxing goes beyond hair removal—it becomes advanced skin care, and the key to effective and confidence-boosting results for every client.