Lisa Stone is a Salon System educator specialising in hair removal. With over 20 years experience in the beauty industry, we thought she’d be the perfect person to answer you waxing queries.
I’m looking for a hot wax that you use pre-wax oil with. What hot wax that uses pre wax oil would you recommend?

Most ‚Äúhot‚Äù waxes can be used with pre wax oil; it allows the wax to grip the hair but not stick to the skin making it a little less painful. The new technology in the new style ‚Äúhot‚Äù waxes or ‘strip less’ wax, means that an oil isn‚Äôt needed due to the low surface energy, so the wax won‚Äôt stick to skin – it just encapsulates the hairs as it dries. I recommend using Salon System Multiflex ‚Äì it‚Äôs can be removed from any direction and is particularly great for intimate areas.

 

I’m just starting out, can we use crème wax for bikini and Brazilian waxing or do I have to use a special Brazilian wax.  I have been told that it’s alright to use the pink crème wax all over?

Yes using a crème wax for bikini and Brazilian wax is ok and many therapists do just that; some use a combination of crème and hot wax. I ALWAYS teach and carry out Brazilian and Hollywood (intimate) waxing with “hot “ strip less wax. It’s by far more comfortable for the client and leaves less of a reaction.  It also allows me to work on much shorter and coarse hair, plus it works so much better on multidirectional hair growth which we know is vast in this area. It is advisable if you’ve not worked with this type of wax before that you attend an intimate waxing course to learn the unique application and techniques that work with this wax.  For courses contact www.uktraining-solutions.co.uk

 

After I wax I always get swollen skin and white-headed spots and this last normally over a week. Why is this and how can I avoid this happening?

It can be quite common to experience a little inflammation and itching after waxing.  This is due to a histamine reaction in the skin, which is the start of the healing process after a “trauma” and is more likely to happen in more sensitive areas like the upper lip and eyebrows.  These symptoms should diminish or disappear within 24hrs. You can help reduce this by applying cold compress to the area, staying as cool as you can and strictly following ALL aftercare advice given to you.  If any irritation persists then it is advisable to seek medical attention.  If this is happening on every area that is being waxed, check you do have allergies to the ingredients of the wax.

A newly waxed area is much more susceptible to picking up infection so it’s vital that good salon hygiene is being practiced and that you are being given the correct aftercare advice and that its being followed correctly.  To minimize the little spots or infection after waxing, avoid touching the newly waxed area and apply aloe Vera or a witch hazel gel in the days following the treatment to sooth calm and protect. These little spots normally clear quickly but if they do not improve or worsen, it’s advisable to seek advice from your GP.

 

What advice would you give someone wanting to start up their own waxing business?

Setting up your own waxing business can be very exciting as long as you plan and prepare properly.  Key things that you need to consider are:

 

Company name – select a name for your company that is unique or appropriate to your business

 

Registering your business with HMRC – how to do this is, is on the HMRC website

 

Salon, renting a room, mobile – decide whether you want to open up a specialist salon or rent a room in an existing salon.  Another option is to provide a mobile waxing service (some more self-conscious customers prefer this) or a mixture of both.

 

Male and female waxing – do you want to provide treatments to both sexes or specialise in one ‘area’

 

Qualifications – what type of waxing treatment do you want to provide? For example do you want to offer basic waxing or do you want to include intimate waxing?  Either way you need to ensure you are properly qualified/experienced.

 

Advertising – how are you going to advertise your business?  A low cost way is to create flyers/prices lists and post them into houses in your local area.

 

Stock – what type of wax, heaters etc. you need to buy could depend on whether you are working in a salon or mobile.  The type of treatment could also dictate the type of kit you need.

 

Insurance – whatever type of waxing business you are considering, you must ensure you have the correct insurance cover.