As a professional, there can be multiple situations in which you should avoid waxing your client – today we will be focusing on the danger of waxing a client with sunburns. Let’s take a moment to understand how sunburns affect the skin and why we should avoid waxing if damage is evident.
What is a sunburn?
Unlike other types of skin burns, sunburns occur not because of physical heat, but because the skin has been exposed to an abundance of UV rays from the sun.
Normally our skin is equipped with its own defense system to protect us from the sun's damaging rays, but unfortunately there are situations in which that threshold is breached. When your body is exposed to too many UV rays, the skin becomes sensitive and warm to the touch as the UV particles begin to damage the membrane and even the DNA of your skin.
Why is waxing over sunburns dangerous?
The danger in waxing over a sunburn lies within the fact that you’re adding more trauma to your clients already traumatized skin. The process of waxing adds additional strain, irritation, and stress on the skin that will effectively slow down any possibility of healing - if not adding further to the damage your skin has already undergone.
The potential side effects of waxing sunburns
In the event that the skin is waxed, even when a sunburn is present, the skin will suffer from severe sensitivity as well as possible hyperpigmentation. Unfortunately, even as a skilled professional, you could cause your client permanent damage if providing a waxing service while a sunburn is present.
Always postpone an appointment if a client comes in with sunburn
It is critical to explain the risk of waxing when you notice the presence of a sunburn on your client. The best course of action would be to insist that the session be moved back and postponed until the skin has healed completely. Remember: you can always provide an estimate on when your client should reschedule, but it will be their responsibility to ensure the burn has completely healed prior to returning for their session.
How long does it take for a sunburn to heal?
Thankfully, the recovery time following a sunburn is relatively short. In total, the length of time needed will be based on the severity of your clients burn - let’s take a look at how we should advise our clients based on the visual severity of the burn.
Mild sunburns
Mild sunburns are the easiest to heal as there is minimal damage to the skin. If you feel your client has a mild sunburn, you should be able to advise them to return in approximately 3 days.
Moderate sunburn
Just above a mild sunburn is a moderate burn. Moderate burns are characterized by an obvious red pigmentation, mildly sensitive skin, as well as skin that is warm to the touch. If your client has a moderate sunburn, it is best to advise them to come back in around 4 to 5 days.
Severe sunburn & when to seek medical attention
Severe sunburns are characterized by the skin's prominent red pigmentation and a pronounced sensitivity to touch. Severe sunburns can also result in blisters and bumps that litter the surface of the skin. The skin may appear swollen or even look wet due to the severity of the burn. If this is the case, your client should seek medical attention - especially if they describe feeling nauseous, or have a painful headache.
Other tips for preventing sunburn
While it is important to recognize how to identify sunburns when they happen, it is important to know the best tips and tricks to avoid sunburns and the potential skin damage that comes with it. Informing your clients will not only help them on a personal level, but also ensure they are educated so that their future waxing appointments are not affected. Here are our recommendations on what to know about preventing sunburns.
Who is most susceptible to getting sunburnt?
The amount of melanin in your skin determines how susceptible you are to getting sunburnt. Individuals with lighter skin have less melanin and, therefore, are at a higher risk of getting burnt. Individuals with higher levels of melanin have a greater ability to block out the sun's UV rays.
The importance of wearing a daily SPF
Wearing sunscreen, or SPF, is critical for your skin's health. Sunscreen should be used not only when you know you will be exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time, but on a daily basis. Incorporating products that contain SPF into your routine ensures your skin stays youthful and healthy for longer.
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