panky777

I am a professional in this field as well as other cosmetology work. I have had the most interesting responces, reactions, requests, and experiences in the waxing room. I would like to start this thread so that we can share with each other about our own waxing experiences, likes, dislikes, curiousities and so-forth. So I'll start off with this question: What are your experiences with waxing and what would you like to experience?

little_tippler

Well I have had a lot of my body waxed for hair removal and what I'd like is no pain

Since that is not possible...I hate it when the professional doing the waxing makes comments on my body or my hairs. That is one way to make sure I never go back to that place.

I like it when the job is thorough. Sloppy work, like missing hairs, or even just fine hairs, makes me think they aren't so great at what they do.

I also like it if the person listens to me, like if I say that particular area hurts like a bitch, they take extra care in that area. I like people who don't think they know everything because they say they've seen every body type/hair out there. They don't.

I'd also rather they shut up and do the job. I don't mind chatting a little, but if it's constant I feel weirded out. They are working on some areas of my body that not everyone gets to see so I want it done quickly and quietly.

__________________
Whether we write or speak or do but look
We are ever unapparent. What we are
Cannot be transfused into word or book.
Our soul from us is infinitely far.
However much we give our thoughts the will
To be our soul and gesture it abroad,
Our hearts are incommunicable still.
In what we show ourselves we are ignored.
The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged
By any skill of thought or trick of seeming.
Unto our very selves we are abridged
When we would utter to our thought our being.
We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams,
And each to each other dreams of others' dreams.

Fernando Pessoa, 1918

panky777

Hair that is missed often has to do with the condition of the hairshaft and/or the wax used. If the hairshaft has some substance like body oil from the skin that didn't get cleaned away during the prep then that hair will not get well adhered to by the wax. Likewise: if the prep powder or other product that helps prevent the wax from adhereing to the skin, coats the hairshaft because of oils on the hairshaft, the wax will not stick. Simularly, if a hair is lying exactly under another hair and the wax misses it. Differant waxes adhere to different kinds of hair. If the wax type is for fine hair the course hair may not adhere. If the wax is for course hair but the person has fine hair then skin tissue may be damaged. Many times I've seen more than one type of hair on the same person and even in the same general area. More than one wax pot is required so the operator has various selections. It is very risky waxing the same area twice so if tweezing is not a viable option then a second appointment a minimum of 48 hours later is required to wax again.
I agree with you on the conversation issue. Interesingly however, the clients sometime like to talk endlessly and when they pause I often wonder if they might be waiting for a responce from me, although I am usually so focused on what I'm doing that I haven't been listening. That leaves me feeling a little guilty.

ColonelSpecial

I have only had one bad experience being waxed. I went to a salon that was recommended and the actual waxing went fine but I noticed a couple of days later that my face where I had been waxed was breaking out. It took about a week for the red bumps to go away. I won't be going back there. I don't know what was different. Everything seemed the same.

When having legs waxed, how long does the effect last?

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Sara

panky777

Skin reddening and bumping issues are related to a few things: Temperature of the wax, preparation of the area to be waxed, type of wax used, after wax care of the skin as in: cleaning, closing of pores with astringent, prep of clean and astringent treated skin with antiseptic to control bacteria, moisturizing, and related products that feed the tissue nutrients to promote cellular regeneration because the protective layer of epidermus tissue has been removed.
The regrowth of hair will depend on several factors: the frequency of waxing, the more regular waxing regiment will enjoy the finest, lightest color, and sparsest regrowth. The use of growth inhibitors also make a difference for a high percentage of those who use them.
Washing regime based on mild temperatures and rinsing with cold also keep skin healthy shiny and does not encourage faster growth.

Katyanna

I have a question rather than a comment. What specific recommendations would you have to patrons to make the experience better for them? Perhaps that could make the difference between a good experience and a bad.

Also as far as your note on post waxing care, do you offer your patrons any sort of post-wax care info sheet afterward? I would think that providing tips as you wax/before/after would be very much appreciated by patrons. It also helps you to appear more educated and better trained.

panky777

I have not prepared a paper handout but your suggestion is good, I will get one together for my clients.
Comfort is ambiguous in the waxing room. The experience one goes away with depends on his or her own interpretation. We are, after all, talking about ripping hair out.
Basically: Having warm tissues allows the hair to be removed easier. Timing the appointment at a low stress period of the day or week MAY make the reaction to the pull less severe, however that is open to debate. I have had and do have some women that prefer to time their appointment to coincide with the hieght of their flow and/or listening to Grunge/Metal claiming that such influences help to dull the sensitivity of the more localized area I'm working on. Others can be opposite or anywhere in between.
I will use a numbing spray for some areas on some clients and in majority of areas a mist of cool water/astringent dilution, sprayed right after the pull, will bring instant relief. And as odd as it may sound I have observed that a percentage of people both male and female will show signs of arousal during waxing, and not just for the bikini wax but generally, it really pleasures some to have their hair pulled out. I admit that for me there is a place on the mid inner thigh that feels so good to have the hair pulled out, it's like a thousand itches all at once. However the pubus mons for most can feel like fire for up to 7 seconds or so, that's where the cool spray is most welcome. And a majority of women will agree that the lower eyebrow is one of the most sensitive areas on the body, but not everyone.

KRM28152

If I were to do waxing at home, what would you recommend I use? I can't afford to go to a salon, and I go to school in a town with 1 stoplight. I can't make a trip to Charlotte every time I need to be waxed. Also, is there a difference in the strength of plain bikini wax and Brazilian wax? Or can you use a wax that says bikini on it for a Brazilian wax and vice versa? Thank you so much in advance, and thanks for sharing your wisdom! =)

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panky777

KRM; I have been in your situation back when waxing the body was not a familiar idea. I started doing my own waxing. You will have a lot to learn but some tips will help greatly. To start go online to Sally Beauty Supply. Find the nearest store to you. If it is too far to drive to you can order by phone with a card and have stuff shipped to you. Look for GIGI waxing supplies. You'll need a warmer, All Purpose Wax, Preparation Cream, Skin Cleansing Cream, Applicator Sticks - with angled ends (not rounded ends), Muslin - get the roll it's more economical and doesn't get old, desensitizing spray - (Lidocain). The cheapest warmer will do, the most expensive is for salon use where it is left on all day every day. The wax comes in a variety of types. The All Purpose covers most hair type and skin type situations. At one end of selection is Facial Wax for delicate skin, it doesn't adhere to any but the finest hair. At the other end is Brazilian Bikini Wax or Hard Wax, adheres to the coarse wiry hairs that grow deep into the folicle, doesn't need the muslin to pull because it hardens as it cools and is 'Peeled' off, it can adhere to delicate skin. There is other products available too: Preparation powder so wax will not stick to the skin, in some cases the powder prevents the wax from adhereing to the hairs that you want to remove. If that happens wait a day or two before waxing that area again, REALLY. There are lotions to slow the regrowth of the hair and lotions to sooth the skin also. Antiseptics and Astringents are good to keep on hand for skin conditioning and cleansing. All these are sold at Sally, and to the public. GIGI has a instructional video and that would be very good to get. Waxing is not easy, a veteran professional even has difficult subjects from time to time. Find a friend that wants to learn and share in waxing with you, it will be easier and you will develop a bond with each other that will be fun and meaningful. If possible, after you have tryed it a few times book an appt. in the city with a pro, take your friend with you. No matter what part of your body gets waxed, you'll pickup a lot of tips. Important reminder: don't try to do too much in one pull. The smaller the pull and the longer the loose end of fabric equals the FASTER you can wisk it away. Pull the skin taut. The tighter the skin is stretched and the faster the muslin is wisked away, the less one feels it. Watch the hair growth patterns, in the perinium, (crotch), the direction can change three or four times in the space of a large coin and you must ALWAYS pull in the opposite direction of growth. Also true about the growth pattern in the arm pit. Never try to pull hair longer than 1 inch or shorter than 3/16 inch. A decent shear and comb will suffice to shorten long hair. Set your next appt. time to wax on your calendar, regular waxing means finer fewer and easier to pull.

settie

My first waxing experience was done myself using an at-home wax kit. :P It's easy to wax yourself. You're just a little more prepared for what's to come I think.
This summer I had my first professional waxing experience, just the lower legs waxed. Good gosh it hurt like hell! I was ovulating at the time, stupid me. I realized it half-way through when my eyes wouldn't stop watering, and each strip on one leg hurt more than the other. I had a pedicure with paraffin wax that same day, same happened with the wax. I could not put my foot in that damn bag of paraffin wax without being the biggest wuss! Hehe. Lesson learned there.
I haven't gone back since to have anything waxed. Aside from my stupidity, it was a pleasant experience, far far better than I could ever do. Plus, I'm too lazy to get a truly hair-less finish.

I've waxed my lower leg, upper leg, and bikini zone. I'm pretty light haired, so I can get away with hair sometimes.

I have a question: I have that annoying hair follicle problem where the hair likes to fold in half or curl up and give me nasty ingrowns, or those red bumps or red dots on my skin. I exfoliate my problem areas (elbows and backs of forearms close to elbow, knees, upper and lower legs) several times a week, which helps a lot, but I've had no luck reducing the amount of problem ingrowns I get. I get no fewer with all the attention I put on them. It's likely I get more! *grumble*

My big frustration are the back of my forearms: those hairs, once exfoliated, are a darker colour than the rest of the hairs on my arm. It looks ridiculous. I've considered bleaching, but I'm curious if waxing will lighten up the hairs. Any suggestions?