Waxing seems like the easiest thing in the world, right? Just apply the wax, remove it, and voila! The hair is gone, everyone is happy, unicorns are flying, and rainbows fill the skies. If only that were true. Most of the time it is, but waxing can be a stressful business. Wax has a mind of its own, and there are circumstances and conditions that effect how that wax works. Most days everything is easy; then some days, it’s an uphill battle.
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FIRST STICKY SITUATION
Professionals can all agree that the stickiest and most frightening scenario is when wax gets stuck in the hair in the Brazilian area. This is most common at the apex, that little area where all the hair converges from different directions before it heads down the outer labia. If just the mention of this area causes you to sweat, then you know what I’m talking about.
This area is a triple threat – thick, dense, and warm. Add in a little perspiration and you’ve got the perfect storm, making it almost impossible to get the wax off.
It is possible that you’ve found yourself in a bit of pickle with a strip of hard wax that refuses to come off on more than a few occasions. It’s just stuck, no matter how many times you pull, tug, or cuss at it.
Because of the increased sweat caused by the heat and tension, the wax has too much moisture, so instead of setting, it becomes a goopy, gummy mess. There are two options. You can combat the moisture by sprinkling a bit of dusting powder on top of the wax to help absorb the excess moisture and allow the wax to set as it should (for a few seconds), then make another attempt to remove the wax. You need to be fearless here. Get a good grip, hold the client’s skin taut, and pull. You can also apply strip wax on top of the hard wax and remove it using a cotton strip. These options will work most of the time, so you won’t have to cut wax out of anyone’s hair or send them home with wax left on their person.
SECOND STICKY SITUATION
Sometimes hard wax breaks, crumbles, or cracks upon removal. This can happen just about anywhere on the body, but it’s most frustrating when it occurs in the Brazilian area. So, what to do?
To begin, let’s look at why wax breaks in the first place. That will help in knowing what to do when it does happen and even how to prevent it from happening.
- The wax is applied too thin. Hard wax dries quickly. The thinner the application, the quicker it sets. Keep your application even and make sure you leave a slight lip around the edge to maintain the integrity of the wax for easy removal.
- The wax is left on the client’s skin for too long. Hard wax sets in seconds, and, if left too long, it becomes dry and may break and crack upon removal. By the time you’re done applying a strip it is ready to come off. There is no need to wait more than 15 seconds under normal circumstances.
- Wax is applied on cold skin. When skin is cold, it will actually pull the moisture out of the wax and cause it to set too quickly. If you notice that skin is cold before application, warm it with a heated dry towel or rub the client’s skin with your gloved hands to create friction. This is most common on the lower extremities, such as the claves, feet, toes, where circulation may be an issue.
- The secret weapon is to not pick at the wax if it breaks. When all else fails apply more hard wax on top of the existing strip. Don’t just lay the wax directly on top, extend the application past the existing strip on all sides, let it set, and remove – or use the strip wax method on top of hard wax to remove.
THIRD STICKY SITUATION
The final sticky situation we will cover is when strip wax sticks to skin and won’t come off. This is very common in the areas of the body that tend to be dry or dehydrated and have poor circulation, such as the calves, feet, and toes.
Areas of poor circulation will quickly suck the moisture right out of the wax, creating an almost unbreakable bond with skin. When you put your strip on top and pull to remove, the wax, and sometimes part of the strip, stays behind. So, what to do?
Put the strip back down and gently press it into the wax. This will warm the wax and make it easier to remove. You can always apply another layer of wax on top to remove it if necessary. To prevent this from happening in the future, check the temperature of the extremities before waxing. If need be, use a dry warm towel to warm them or the friction from your gloved hands.
Waxing is all about troubleshooting. Anyone can wax with ease and grace when things are going well. It’s how you handle the sticky situations that separates the seasoned professional from the novice.
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Founder and CEO of The Wax Chick, Crickett Enos is a licensed aesthetician, product creator, writer, speaker, and advanced waxing educator, specializing in eyebrow design and Brazilian waxing. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, she has trained and empowered thousands to wax with skill, confidence, and efficiency.
