Waxing is an effective way to remove unwanted hair and is one of the most common skin care services performed in a salon. It is usually safe, quick, and easy; however, there are precautions you should take before you go in for a waxing treatment. Each state has different regulations concerning who is and is not allowed to perform waxing services. For example, in the state of Florida, cosmetologists and estheticians are the only beauty professionals who are legally permitted to wax clients. In some states, it takes no special training to perform a waxing treatment. It is important to ask your technician what training he or she has received to be sure that you receive a safe procedure.

Before Your Waxing Treatment
There are a few things you should avoid before receiving a waxing treatment. Do not shave for at least three days. Hair needs to be at least 1/4 of an inch long so that the wax can grab hold of it. Do not use strong exfoliators, in order to prevent skin irritation and damage. Avoid exfoliants that contain alpha hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, or enzymes as these can cause your skin to be sensitive and you may end up with skin breakage or scabs. It is a good idea to exfoliate your skin using a gentle scrubbing motion before your waxing treatment to remove dead skin cells; just remember to not scrub too hard or use harsh products. Avoid caffeine and alcohol a few hours before receiving a waxing treatment as they may make your skin sensitive. If you take birth control pills, are pregnant, or take antibiotics or hormone replacement therapy, it is recommended that you do a small patch test to see if your skin is too sensitive for waxing.

Contradictions to Waxing
There are certain medications and health conditions that make waxing a bad idea. If you take blood thinners or have diabetes or sensitive skin, you may want to skip waxing and use another type of hair removal procedure. Since sometimes the skin is broken during a waxing treatment, people who take blood thinners may experience excessive bleeding, and diabetics run a greater risk of infection. People with sensitive skin may have swelling and redness after waxing that can take several hours or days to clear up. If you have rosacea or broken capillaries, avoid waxing the affected areas. Do not receive a waxing treatment if you take the skin care medication Accutane, are receiving chemo-therapy, or have varicose veins. People that have lupus or AIDS are also encouraged not to be waxed.

During the Waxing Service
There is a right way to perform a waxing treatment and a wrong way. The wrong way is to heat up the wax, slap it on the area to be waxed, and then rip off the muslin or waxing paper. Your skin needs to be prepared and the wax needs to be at the correct temperature. If done correctly, waxing is one of the most effective skin care services you can receive.

The correct procedure includes cleansing of your skin with a preparation gel or lotion that will clear the area of body oils and dirt. Some of these cleaners also contain a numbing agent to reduce the pain that may occur when you are waxed. Before the technician applies the wax onto your skin, he or she should check the temperature on their wrist to make sure it is not too hot. Your technician should use a new clean applicator for each client. Once the wax is applied, your technician will apply a muslin or paper strip to the wax and gently rub it to make sure the wax adheres to the hair and strip. Next, they will pull your skin taut and, with one quick motion, remove the strip, wax, and hair. Some technicians will tell you when they are going to remove it, while others will distract you and then remove it.

It helps to apply pressure directly to the skin right after the strip is removed. This helps to cut down on the pain sometimes caused by waxing. A cooling gel and anti-inflammatory lotion are then applied, and you are done. You may have a bit of redness if you have fair skin, but the cooling gel and lotion will help to relieve this common side effect.

Precautions
Always ask about your technician’s training. Many states require a technician to be licensed in cosmetology or skin care. Trained technicians learn about the different types of wax and how to wax areas of the body correctly. They also receive training on sanitation procedures to keep you and themselves safe and healthy.

Never let a technician use an old applicator. This spreads germs and disease. Never let a technician reapply wax to an area that has been waxed that day. If more hair needs to be removed, ask him or her to use tweezers or return the next day for another waxing treatment. Reapplying wax may rip off skin and cause severe damage to your skin.

Conclusion
As a skin care service waxing is a quick and convenient way to rid you of unwanted hair. Waxing is used on the face, arms, legs, back, chest, bikini area, and feet to remove unwanted hair. If done correctly it is a very safe and effective skin care service.