Hair Removal (Waxing, Sugaring, and Related Methods)
This domain covers waxing, sugaring, threading, and tweezing: hair growth cycles, product choice, contraindications, technique, and aftercare. Safety and skin integrity outrank speed.
Core concepts
- Hair cycles: anagen is growth, catagen is transition, telogen is rest. Waxing works best in anagen; repeated treatments disrupt cycles.
- Soft wax is applied thin and removed with strips; hard wax is applied thicker, sets, and is removed without strips; sugaring uses sugar paste and can be gentler.
- Patch test 24-48 hours before first treatment or new product. Check medications, retinoids, isotretinoin, recent peels or lasers, sunburn, active infection, varicose veins, moles, and diabetes.
- Technique: cleanse, powder, test temperature, apply with hair growth, hold skin taut, remove against growth, apply pressure, and finish with a soothing product.
- Aftercare: no heat, friction, tight clothing, or strong actives for 24 hours; advise later exfoliation and ingrown-hair care.
Worked example
A client has been using tretinoin nightly and wants a lip wax. Do not wax: retinoids thin the stratum corneum and can cause tearing. Explain, reschedule after the prescriber advises, and offer tweezing only if the skin is intact and the client understands the risk.
Traps
Waxing over a mole or varicose vein; double-dipping; testing wax on the client's face; ignoring medication history; pulling skin instead of holding it taut; waxing inflamed or broken skin; giving aftercare that includes hot yoga or sauna.