Summer is the season of hair removal, so our experts share their top tips for making these services seamless for clients.
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Summer is the season of hair removal, so our experts share their top tips for making these services seamless for clients.
What hair removal services are most popular as we head into summer?
Lindsay Miller, president, Lycon USA: Waxing is and continues to be a popular hair removal service, as it is quick and efficient. The results of waxing are immediate, with silky smooth skin that lasts up to six weeks.
There has been a growth in the types of waxes available on the market, which has allowed for the creation of waxes designed for specific areas such as for Brazilians, facial areas or to improve tattoos. These waxes are made with added soothing ingredients, such as chamomile, aloe vera and arnica, to make the waxing experience more comfortable for the client.
Dermaplaning has also become more popular for hair removal on certain areas of the body, such as the face, as there has been more education around it and more spas offering the service.
Chanel Mak, North American master educator, Caronlab: The short answer is that clients want to be completely hair-free for the summer! However, the most popular hair removal services are aimed at becoming hair-free when wearing a tee or tank with a pair of shorts or a skirt, and the obvious bikini for the pool or the beach. So, you’re looking at a surge in appointments for bikinis, Brazilians, full legs and underarms.
Describe your top pre- and post-care tips for the best outcomes.
Miller: Cleansing the skin prior to a wax will remove any debris, makeup or lotion from the skin surface. When a wax is performed, the hair follicles are opened, so it is important to ensure that the skin is clean to avoid red bumps or folliculitis. Cleansers that contain chamomile have an anti-bacterial effect and won’t burn or sting the skin. A pre-waxing oil can be applied prior to the wax to add an extra barrier of protection to the skin and ensure that the wax adheres only to the hair and not the skin.
Immediately after the wax, cleansing the skin once more will close the hair follicles and remove any sticky reside left behind. After care lotions are important for moisturizing the skin and reducing redness.
Mak: We have to take into consideration when to schedule clients in. Warmer weather can contribute to hair growth, so you may see your clients more often to ensure they are silky smooth for summer. Proper cleansing before hair removal will remove excess body oil, and lotion will go a long way to improve adherence of wax to the skin and prevent cross contamination.
Another consideration for booking is if the client plans to hop into chlorinated pools or get a lot of sun exposure. We know an important after care tip is to avoid pools, hot tubs and saunas for at least 24 hours, as well as to avoid excessive exposure to heat.
SPF should also be your client's best friend to avoid the risk of sun damage. Remember to apply a physical SPF product after their hair removal appointment to set the tone of how important SPF will be in their daily routine, and to re-apply every two hours if they will be exposed to the sun.
Aloe vera will always be a bonus, since some clients may show up with sunburns. An added treat to your waxing is to apply some cool aloe vera to help soothe and nourish the skin. Never wax over a sunburn, though!
Related: This Summer’s Top Body Hair Removal Services
What key ingredients work best, either during or after hair removal?
Miller: Waxes that contain added ingredients to further soothe and moisturize the skin, such as titanium dioxide and micro mica, are a great choice to ensure client comfort. Titanium dioxide adds a creamy look to a wax and has the added benefit of minimizing redness and creating a smoother wax experience.
After-care lotions that contain tea tree are great for the skin, as tea tree is known for its antibacterial effects. Chamomile is also extra soothing and moisturizing after a wax.
Products that contain salicylic acid as a targeted ingredient will help to treat and minimize the occurrence of ingrown hairs. Ingrown hair products can be used during the service and are also a great retail offering.
Mak: If using wax, a synthetic-based resin will always be the best choice, since we want our clients to leave without looking like they have just had a hair removal service. Clients may come in the day before and the last thing they need is to have a histamine reaction along their bikini line! Synthetic-based resin waxes simply will protect clients’ skin and still remove the hairs efficiently, produce less adverse reactions and create a much more comfortable waxing experience. Reserve the all-natural products for your pre and post, where you are trying to treat the skin and actually want ingredients to penetrate and work their magic.
If you're in a hot and humid environment, a quick setting spray will help set and dry hard or film wax more rapidly to keep your appointments running on time. Finally, using a post-hair removal product that contains tea tree or witch hazel will help prevent ingrowns and post-hair removal pustules.