Waxing and Hair Removal: Beauty College Training for Estheticians

Removing body or facial hair from a client via waxing or another method involves more than most people realize. A good esthetician adapts this seemingly simple process for each client individually in order to achieve the best and most pain-free results possible. Beauty college, and more specifically esthetics institutes, teach students special techniques to ensure successful hair removal consultations and implementation.

Hair Removal Methods

Today, there are a number of hair removal methods available to estheticians and their clients. Waxing continues to be the most commonly used procedure. Other methods include:

Electrolysis
Depilatory creams or powders
Laser hair removal
Flashlamps
Topical preparations designed to biologically inhibit hair growth; some inhibitory creams must be prescribed by a dermatologist

Pre- and Post-treatment Processes

The actual process of hair removal is a very small portion of each client's appointment. More time is spent on the pre-assessment, skin preparation, and after-care process. Esthetics institute instructors show you how to:

Perform a skin analysis on clients to determine which products and techniques will work best
Properly sanitize and prepare your instruments
Remove the hair with the least amount of pain possible, the longest-lasting results, and the lowest level of irritation to skin
Provide aftercare to the region using antibacterial lotion, moisturizer, astringents, and other products to help the skin recover from the minor trauma

Hair Removal Client Considerations

Some clients who seek professional hair removal have unique conditions, or take medications that make standard hair removal methods unsafe for them. Clients with the following medical or pharmaceutical considerations should receive treatments that are specialized for their needs:

Rosacea
Sunburn
Cold sores
Psoriasis
Broken skin
Varicose veins
Retin-A or hydroquinone
Blood thinners
Cortisone, either topical or oral
Accutane, for acnegenic conditions

Beauty School Esthetics Training: Hair Removal Guidelines

Courses in esthetics school teach students the guidelines and suggestions for each type of hair removal process and each step in the treatments. For example, hair removal estheticians should pre-treat clients by opening the pores with warm water to the make hair removal less painful. After pulling off a wax strip, they should apply pressure immediately afterward to lessen discomfort. Beauty college instructors teach you to wax against the grain. In addition, you are educated about your state's requirements for obtaining your licence for electrolysis hair removal. All states require a license before an esthetician can offer electrolysis services.

Most professional hair removal procedures must be repeated at least every three to four weeks, so if you do your job well, this ensures repeat clients and a steady, healthy income. If you enjoy helping people look their best, consider a career as an esthetician specializing in hair removal.