Hair Removal, Makeup, and Related Services
Depilation versus epilation
Depilation removes hair at the surface (shaving, depilatory creams). Epilation removes hair from the root (waxing, sugaring, tweezing, threading, electrolysis). Estheticians wax, sugar, tweeze, and thread; electrolysis and laser hair removal sit outside the esthetic scope in New York and require separate or medical credentials.
Waxing technique
Check the temperature on your inner wrist first. Apply wax in the direction of hair growth and remove against it, holding the skin taut and pulling firm, fast, and parallel to the skin. Press the area afterward to reduce discomfort. Hard (stripless) wax suits the lip, bikini, and sensitive areas; soft wax with strips suits larger areas. Never double-dip.
Contraindications: isotretinoin, active retinoid or acid use, recent peels, laser, or microdermabrasion, sunburn, active infection or cold sore, varicose veins, moles, fragile or neuropathic skin, and blood thinners. Pregnancy can increase sensitivity.
Aftercare: no heat, sun, friction, fragranced products, or gym for 24–48 hours; gentle exfoliation after about 48 hours to prevent ingrown hairs.
Tinting and makeup
Patch test tints and adhesives 24–48 hours prior. Never use aniline or PPD-based dye near the lashes; keep product off the eye itself. For makeup: scrape product onto a palette rather than double-dipping, sharpen pencils, wash brushes, use disposable mascara wands, and never share product.
Traps
- Wax that is too hot.
- Applying wax against the direction of growth.
- Calling sugaring a depilatory method.
- Waxing over a mole, cold sore, or broken skin.
Rule of thumb
Off retinoids, off peels, off sunburn, off broken skin - and never over a mole.