Waxing 101: 7 Key Elements of Waxing Certification Classes

You’ve seen shows and heard stories about someone going in for a waxing session and they’re screaming in pain or leaving with swelling and missing half an eyebrow. While this provides for good comedy and dramatic effect on TV, facial and body waxing does not have to be this way.

Estheticians who are properly trained and licensed may provide relatively painless, pleasant facial and body waxing services—  leaving their clients satisfied and wanting to come back for more treatments.

This article will go over the different components of waxing certification classes and the importance of an esthetician being a licensed wax specialist.

• Do All Estheticians Take Waxing Classes? 
• Is Waxing Easy To Learn?
• 7 Common Components of Waxing Certification Classes
• Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics: Portland’s Preeminent Beauty School 

Esthetics is a growing industry that encompasses a variety of different services. One of the most common services clients seek out is hair removal services. Clients may prefer facial and body waxing because it is longer lasting than shaving alone, but not as permanent or expensive as laser hair removal.

Not all estheticians are licensed wax technicians. But, with the demand for hair removal services being high amongst clients seeking services from estheticians, taking facial and body waxing classes to become licensed may benefit your career as an esthetician.

The specific requirements for becoming a licensed wax technician vary but typically include 

• A diploma in esthetics, cosmetology, or waxing.
• A specific number of classroom hours and/or hands-on experience and training
• Passing a written and physical exam

Checking your specific state’s cosmetology board’s requirements is the best way to ensure you meet the qualifications required. 

Facial and body waxing is a technical skill that requires comprehensive training, but it is a rewarding skill to add to your esthetician toolbox. 

Learning how to wax properly should be done through a program that offers waxing classes that teach the necessary sanitation, procedures, techniques, and aftercare in addition to offering hands-on experiential training under the guided supervision of an instructor.

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics is a Portland-based esthetician school that offers hands-on, waxing certification classes that will not only teach you the art of face and body waxing but will give you the experience needed to enhance your skills as an esthetician. 

#1: Introduction to Waxing

Facial and body waxing is more than just putting some wax and pulling it off. The goal of facial and body waxing is not only to remove unwanted facial and body hair, but to do it in a safe, sanitary, and effective manner. 

Effective facial and body waxing includes applying a sticky substance to the hair in a specific area and then removing the hair either with a strip (muslin or pellon) or the actual hardened adhesive with the end goal of removing the hair along with the follicle. 

Facial and body waxing has individual components and within each component, it is necessary to learn specific skills to best serve that area.

• Arms and legs 
• Upper lip and chin
• Eyebrows
• Bikini line and Brazilian

There are also different types of wax that may be used to better suit a client’s skin type, area being waxed, and comfort levels. The two main types of waxes are categorized as soft wax and hard wax (stripless wax). Within each type of wax, there are more individualized wax types and procedures, but the two main umbrellas of facial and body waxing are hard and soft wax.

The ingredients in the different waxes vary based on the brand but the most common main ingredients in wax removal products are beeswax, paraffin, honey, and/or plant resins, which can be found in both types of wax removal products.

Soft wax and hard wax are both used consistently in facial and body waxing. However, depending on the client and body area being served, one type may be preferred over the other. Each wax type and process has its own benefits and drawbacks. One of the skills you may learn in a waxing class is how to determine which type of waxing method will provide the most effective and comfortable procedure for your clients; being able to make this determination is an essential skill that an esthetician should have in their toolbox.

#2: How To Prepare for a Waxing Session

As an esthetician, there are several components that should be considered before starting any waxing session.

• Client consultation/assessment
• Skin analysis
• Sanitation and hygiene protocols 

It is important to discuss with the client what their goal is prior to starting any treatments or procedures. Once that is established, going over the client’s skin analysis will help you determine what products will best suit their skin to minimize redness and discomfort. It will also allow you to determine if there are any contraindications that may affect the client’s ability to receive services.

Common waxing contraindications that may affect a client include:

• Acne medications (oral and topical)
• Skin infections (bacterial, viral, and fungal)
• Recent bruising or abrasions
• Sunburn
• Skin disorders (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis)
• Diabetes
• Varicose veins

Once a thorough assessment and analysis is completed, it is important to make sure to go over your sanitation and hygiene protocols with your client to make sure your expectations and their expectations are met.

#3: Waxing Techniques

The first step in any waxing service should be to ensure your workspace is clean and sanitized. This includes disinfecting the client’s skin and waxing area.

Once you have washed, dried, and sanitized your waxing area, you are ready to get started! 

The basic steps for waxing are

1. Warm the wax
2. Apply the wax
3. Apply the muslin/pellon strip (if using soft wax)
4. Remove the muslin/pellon strip
5. Soothe skin and aftercare

Depending on the area being waxed and the type of wax being used will determine more specific steps within the process.

Learning the requirements for waxing different parts of the body is important to provide a satisfactory experience for the client and esthetician. The skin on each of these areas requires different application and removal techniques. Learning these techniques will not only allow you to provide the most effective hair removal but will also allow you to minimize discomfort and redness for your clients.

The first area that is taught and mastered are the arms and legs since they’re generally the area that helps build confidence in the basic technique of waxing. Once you’re confident in waxing the arms and legs, you’ll move to the underarm area, then the face (lips and chin), and lastly the eyebrows. 

Eyebrow waxing has more complexities and nuances than arm and leg waxing. Eyebrow waxing classes should also teach you the specific protocol necessary to complete eyebrow mapping to ensure that the end shape of your client’s eyebrows is best suited for their facial features.

#4: Aftercare and Troubleshooting

Some of the common challenges faced during and immediately after waxing sessions may include

• Pain
• Ingrown hairs
• Breakouts
• Redness and irritation
• Folliculitis (infection to the hair follicle)
• Sunburn and sun sensitivity 
• Allergic reactions to the rosin in the wax

Many of these challenges can be treated with proper aftercare. Aftercare includes keeping the area clean and exfoliated to try and reduce breakouts and ingrown hairs, applying ice packs to minimize pain and swelling, and making sure to apply sunscreen to the affected areas to reduce the possibility of sunburn and sun sensitivity.

While it is not common, the potential for an allergic reaction or folliculitis is a possibility when waxing. Using dye-free and fragrance-free cleansers may lessen the severity and aggravation of the skin that is affected. Speaking with your esthetician about the products and ingredients beforehand can also prevent the potential for an allergic reaction.

Typically mild cases tend to resolve on their own, but it is important to seek the advice of your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Fever
• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Warmth
• Pain

#5: Male Waxing

The number of male clients desiring facial and body waxing services is increasing. The goals of male clients are similar to those of females: less irritating and longer-lasting hair removal, increase in body confidence, and increased athletic performance to name a few. 

In addition to booking similar waxing services as females, there are some male-specific waxing services that are becoming increasingly more popular. Common male waxing services often include the chest, shoulders, back, ears, underarms, and nostrils. 

Wax classes are a great way to make sure you are able to offer services for both male and female clients.

#6: Business and Marketing Tips

Facial and body waxing is a service that has the potential to build long-term client relationships. In order to maintain the desired hair removal, the client will usually need to return in 4-6 weeks for maintenance. Building a loyal clientele can be valuable not only to establish repeat clients but also to help generate business through word-of-mouth recommendations.

Within the facial and body waxing sphere, there are estheticians who solely offer services in one specific area and market themselves within their specific niche. Some estheticians only offer eyebrow waxing services due to the specific skills needed to master eyebrow mapping. Some estheticians take Brazilian waxing classes and only offer Brazilian and bikini waxing due to the intimacy of the procedure.

Whether you decide to offer waxing as a specific, unique service or as part of an esthetic package it is important to price yourself competitively, but for a profit. Look at what other estheticians in your area are charging to get an idea of how you can price your services to remain competitive, but still build a sustainable business.

#7: Hands-On Practice

Receiving the necessary classroom instruction in facial and body waxing is the first step in building your portfolio of services as an esthetician. The next step is receiving hands-on practice. 

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics provides body waxing classes with classroom training as well as hands-on practice under the watch of trained instructors who will provide personalized feedback and tips to help you improve your skills as a licensed wax technician. 

One of the most common sought-after esthetician services is facial and body waxing. Having the necessary training and certifications may enhance your professional offerings. Providing quality waxing services is important because this procedure needs to be repeated and has the potential to bring back repeat clients. 

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics is a premier aesthetics school that offers classes in waxing certification. You will receive classroom training and the necessary hands-on experience to become a skilled licensed wax specialist. 

If you are ready to add this essential skill to your esthetician qualifications contact us to speak with one of our admissions advocates today.