Taking proper care of your client’s skin after wax is just as important as the waxing itself. Improper aftercare leads to redness, irritation, ingrown hairs, and at worst, infection. If your clients don’t know the right things to avoid, and the steps to take once they get home, they might not want to rebook with you. For this reason, you want to give your clients a rundown on the do’s and don’ts of post wax care!
What should you do for post-wax care?
Even the gentlest waxers know that a client’s skin is left sensitized for 24 to 48 hours after a waxing appointment. During this time, the skin is vulnerable and needs care and attention. There are a variety of products available for you to use and sell to your clients that soothe, moisturize, and nourish their skin.
Always apply post-depilatory lotion
First things first, right after a wax you need to apply a post-depilatory lotion. These lotions are a staple in all waxing studios and spas. In addition to soothing and moisturizing your client’s skin, these lotions also remove any remaining stickiness and wax residue. One great option is the Post-Wax Lotion from WaxOne. A couple key ingredients in that lotion include mineral oil and sweet almond oil.
Some lotions even contain emulsions that contribute to slower hair growth. The ItalWax White Orchid After Wax Emulsion has Decelerine R. Decelerine R directly affects the matrix cells inside hair follicles, which is the part of the hair follicle that starts growth.
Consider using a cooling gel for after wax care
Another great thing to use on freshly waxed skin is some kind of cooling gel. Typically, they don’t contain oil or clog up open hair follicles. Instead, it pleasantly cools the skin and leaves a silky feeling. ItalWax’s Cooling Gel utilizes menthol to achieve a cooling effect. Other beneficial ingredients include aloe vera or tea tree oil.
Use lotion to prevent ingrown hairs
Nobody likes to have ingrown hairs. Thankfully, we have products and ways to limit or completely eliminate your ingrown hairs. Concentrated lotion such as these prevent and slow down the occurrence of ingrown hairs. Depending on the area of the body that’s being waxed or is experiencing ingrown hairs, there are two different formulas.
For large surface areas such as arms or legs, the ItalWax concentrated lotion is recommended. For faces, bikini lines, and underarms, you should recommend the Active Paste. This product prevents ingrown hairs, but also reduces bumps on the applied areas.
Always recommend high quality products
As a licensed esthetician, your clients look to you for knowledgeable advice about skincare. Lead them in the right direction by selling and using professional products that are best for their skin. With good advice and proper product use, your clients will return with wonderful results time after time.
What should you avoid after waxing?
Along with the good practices to definitely do right after waxing, there’s also important information about what to completely avoid right after an appointment. If your clients avoid your advice to avoid these activities, they risk getting an infection or prolonging the time their skin is sensitized.
Avoid exfoliating
One great rule to follow after a wax is not to exfoliate for a couple of days (24 to 72 hours). The process of waxing inherently exfoliates the top layer of skin as it removes hair. Post-wax, the skin is cleaned and moisturized, so your clients shouldn’t worry about removing any dead skin. The waxing has already taken care of it all!
Don’t go swimming
If your clients plan on going to the beach or swimming, advise them to book their appointment at least two days before their planned activities. The chlorine from swimming pools and salt from the beach can further irritate sensitized skin. The salt also has a tendency to cause bumps on skin that has been freshly waxed. At worst, disregarding this advice leads to infection.
Stay away from physical exercise
Any kind of physical activity that causes friction and sweating is best avoided for a couple of days. The sweat our bodies produce while working out or exercising has that pesky salt in it, and as previously mentioned, causes bumps. Not to mention, bacteria from sweat has a way of getting into open skin pores. Any additional friction on sensitized skin can cause damage to newly waxed skin. For these same reasons, sex should also be avoided for 48 hours if your client just received a bikini wax.
Keep away from sun exposure (and tanning)
You should generally advise avoiding tanning or any kind of extended sun exposure, but especially so for 24 to 48 hours after a waxing session. Your client’s sensitized skin will be extremely vulnerable to sun damage during this time. Continued sun exposure can obviously lead to sunburn, but also scarring and hyperpigmentation. If anyone is going to be out in the sun after waxing, it’s highly recommended to wear a good SPF rated sunscreen.
Skin care a few days after a wax
Following a daily skincare routine is an incredibly important part of keeping your skin beautiful and healthy. A waxing appointment throws off that routine just a little bit, as you stop exfoliating and use a couple extra products for a couple of days.
When you can exfoliate again
After 72 or so hours, you can begin to exfoliate areas that your client has waxed. At that point, the skin won’t be sensitized, but importantly, the pores will have closed up. This helps minimize ingrown hairs, as well.
If there’s lasting inflammation and redness
Following up with clients about certain ingrown issues and post wax check ups is a great way to build a lasting relationship with your clients. Your clients will appreciate the check up, and it shows that you care about them and their needs. Any lasting redness or inflammation should be checked out by a healthcare professional.
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