Whether a licensed skin professional is expanding their menu’s hair removal options or making hair removal a part of their service offerings, period, it may seem like daunting task. However, this service is really a no-brainer. Anyone can wax, but it does require confidence and the proper education and practice.
PICTURE OF PROFIT
Why is the decision to add hair removal to the menu a no-brainer? No other service offers the high profit percentages (over 1,500%) that hair removal does in less than 30 minutes, making it the money-maker of spa offerings.
While costs vary, the following examples are the two most popular and profitable hair removal services:
{mprestriction ids=”3,4,26,18,6,7,8,9,14,18,43,44″}
Brazilian Wax:
Cost to perform: $4
Service time: 20 minutes
Service price: $75
Profit percentage: 1,775%
Profit: $71 in 20 minutes.
Eyebrow Design:
Cost to perform: $2.50
Service time: 20 minutes
Service price: $40
Profit percentage: 1,500%
Profit: $37.50 in 20 minutes
If spas are not seeing these returns in their business, they may not be charging enough for the services. Eyebrows and Brazilians have a higher degree of difficulty and require a higher level of skill to perform. As such, a higher price should be charged for that skill with confidence. If service providers are taking longer to perform these services, cutting into their profit margin, then they should attend advanced training to hone their skills and increase efficiency.
METHODS
Knowing how much money can be made with hair removal services, it is time to choose a hair removal method. There are a few options, and professionals can stick with one or employ a combination of methods. It is up to them to do what feels right to them. It is all a personal preference; there is no right or wrong choice. Though there are many hair removal modalities in the beauty world, there are only a few that fall under the scope of practice for a licensed aesthetician.
Waxing
Waxing is probably the most popular and widely practiced form of hair removal.
Its popularity comes from its ease, and it is the most straight forward option with a low-to- moderate learning curve. This allows the waxer to be up and running in the shortest amount of time.
When it comes to wax, there are two forms, strip wax and hard wax. They may go by different names, but any wax that needs a strip of cotton to be removed is considered a strip wax. If it does not require a strip to be removed, it is a hard wax.
Both waxes can be used on all areas of the body; however, hard wax is preferred for the more sensitive areas – face, eyebrows, underarms, and Brazilians – as it shrink wraps around the hair, rather than sticking to skin, which creates a more comfortable hair removal experience.
Strip wax is great for body and speed waxing, like arms, legs, backs, and chest. Strip wax has a longer drying window, which allows wax to be applied to an entire area and then removed before it completely dries.
Strip-Wax Pros:
- Covers larger areas of the body and can be removed quickly for speed and efficiency
- Short learning curve
Strip-Wax Cons:
- Sticks to both hair and skin
- More likely to cause undesirable side effects, such as irritation, inflammation, and skin lifting.
Hard-Wax Pros:
- Shrink wraps around the hair for a more comfortable hair removal service with fewer side effects
Hard-Wax Cons:
- Higher learning curve
Sugaring
Sugaring is the oldest form of hair removal on record, dating back to ancient Egypt. Like wax, sugar can be used on all areas of the body. Perhaps the biggest difference between sugaring and waxing is the application and removal technique. Wax is applied in the direction of the hair growth and removed against the direction of the hair growth. Sugaring is the opposite. Sugar paste is molded onto the area against the direction of the hair growth, then removed (flicked off) in the direction of the hair growth. The paste is never left on skin; it is constantly being worked on and off.
Sugaring Pros:
- Can remove hair as short as one-sixteenth inch
- Gentle on skin
Sugaring Cons:
- High learning curve
Tweezing
Tweezing, also known as plucking, is mostly used to clean up stray hairs missed during other forms of hair removal. It may also be used as a stand-alone service for clients who are contraindicated to waxing.
Tweezing Pros
- Good for getting one or two strays
- Minimal learning curve
Tweezing Cons
- More prone to breakage and cuts depending on the skill of the practitioner
- Can take three to four times longer to perform
Threading
This hair removal service originated in India 6,000 years ago and uses a twisted cotton thread to pull the hair from the follicle. Whereas tweezing removes one hair at a time, threading removes dozens at a time. It is commonly used on areas of the face like eyebrows, lip, cheeks, and sideburns.
Threading Pros
- Great option for clients who cannot be waxed
Threading Cons:
- Side effects may include cuts from the thread and broken hair
- High learning curve
Electrolysis
This form of hair removal requires a separate license to perform and is not covered under the scope of practice for aestheticians or cosmetologists. It is currently the only permanent form of hair removal available. A very fine needle is inserted into the follicle and an electrical current is passed through, killing the follicle so that hair cannot grow. Depending on the thickness, density, and location of the hair, it can take multiple sessions and up to 18 months to achieve complete results.
Laser
Laser is not typically covered under the scope of practice for most skin care professionals, so when considering adding laser to the menu, it is important to check state regulations. Laser is 80% effective at removing hair. Since it does not get 100% of the hair, some form of maintenance, like waxing or sugaring is still required to maintain a smooth result. In addition, the type of laser and level of training is very important, especially when using it on those with darker skin tones.
GETTING STARTED
Proper training is a must have. If the professional has not taken any advanced hair removal courses, it is time to take courses from different sources to perform thorough research and stick with the one that resonates. Everyone has a different approach, different techniques, different experiences, and their own unique way of imparting information. It is a matter of finding someone who knows how to take what is in their head and translate it to a language that the individual professional can understand.
Choosing Products
There are so many different lines out there, constantly bombarding professionals with ads on social media. So how does one choose? There is no easy way, but the best guidance is to identify what is important in a brand on case-by-case basis.
Is it important that the line is organic, vegan, or cruelty-free? Can the products achieve proven results? Does the manufacturer offer quality customer service and cost-effective solutions? Do they have great reviews or an expansive social media presence? Do they offer products for full-body waxing or specialize in eyebrows and Brazilians? Once these questions are answered, the journey can begin.
PRICING SERVICES
What a service provider charges for services is based on their skill, education, experience, products, technique, professionalism, customer service, and efficiency, not on what everyone else charges. It is natural to want to check out the competition and see what they charge to stay in the same range. This pricing strategy is not sound for several reasons.
Professionals are not their own competition. Many things come into play that make a skin care professional attractive to clients, and pricing is just a small part of that. Clients are looking for someone they can trust, someone they feel comfortable with, and someone with experience, especially for the more delicate areas. When professionals are confident in their skills, enjoy their practice, and have the experience to back it up, their clients will come to them.
Professionals are not going to get everyone, so there is no need to try. Some feel that they need to offer every service under the sun. They list every conceivable body part on their menu in hopes of not excluding anyone so that they do not miss out on a single booking. However, several of those services will not get booked regularly.
Price matching does not work. A professional’s price should be based on their value, not on the competition’s lower prices. So often, professionals are overly critical of themselves and underestimate people’s willingness to pay more for a great service. It is a psychological assurance that can indicate to clients that a service provider can be trusted. A $100 versus $40 Brazilian can tell clients that the professional knows what they are doing, what they are worth, and is not afraid to charge for it. A $40 Brazilian may communicate a lack of confidence and skill. Clients that choose a service provider based on the lowest price will continue to shop around. Price is more important to them than the quality of service.
MARKETING SERVICES
Who needs hair removal? Everyone! Who wants hair removal? Almost everyone! Remember, the goal is not to reinvent the wheel here. If the professional already has facial clients, they can be hair removal clients too. All it takes is to start talking about the new offerings and posting about it on social media. They already know and like their spa provider, so it is an easy sell. Offering them a complimentary eyebrow service with their next facial is a great way to show them wonderful work to tell their friends about. Word of mouth is always the best and cheapest form of getting the word out.
Upselling services is key to building client loyalty. When booking anything, always upsell eyebrows. Everyone needs their eyebrows done. When someone books a facial, upsell an eyebrow service. When someone books a Brazilian, upsell an eyebrow service. Potential add-ons include eyebrow tinting, eyebrow lifting, and a soothing mask. The sky is the limit.
Do not forget the homecare. If clients do not get it at the spa, they will get it somewhere else. Believe it or not, homecare plays a huge part in the continued success of hair removal results. Keeping skin balanced, soft, and supple in between services will mean a better, cleaner hair removal outcome. Every Brazilian client should be going home with at least a hydrating balm. Not only will it help keep skin soft and supple, but it also helps combat ingrown hairs. Other add-on products can include exfoliating cream or a hydrating mask. Be creative!
It is a lot to take in, but remember, everyone has to start somewhere. Be patient and discern what products to use and what services to offer. Do not be swayed by what everyone else is doing. Professionals are in charge of their practice, and they should do what feels right to them.
{/mprestriction}
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.
