When it comes to skin types, most people define differences by how it looks, feels, and in very general terms, how it responds to outside stimuli, such as sunlight.
When it comes to waxing, however, this is only one part of the equation.
Most estheticians use the same techniques on all clients to make sure that the procedure goes smoothly.
But what most clients, and even a lot of estheticians, don’t know is that different skin types call for different types of wax to achieve the best results.
The experts at nacach.com offer specific recommendations for matching different skin types with particular wax products to achieve the most desirable results, not to mention to prevent skin problems.
Waxing Normal Skin.
Most people’s skin is what could be considered “normal,” or having a healthy balance of both water and lipids, those tiny organic compounds that are made up of fatty acids and their derivatives.
Normal skin doesn’t feel tight because it has plenty of elasticity.
It also doesn’t produce excess sebum, an oily substance that often plugs pores and results in dryness.
All of this leads to the fact that normal skin is at minimal risk of adverse reactions to waxing, so basic care should be enough to ensure excellent results.
It should never be assumed, however, that what appears to be normal skin is, since problems can occur below the surface.
To clean, protect, and moisturize normal skin, it’s important to apply both pre-depilatories and post-depilatory lotions. An esthetician should discuss the waxing procedure with their client to ensure that the proper products will be used.
For this reason, a variety of wax products are available that contain ingredients for both nourishing and moisturizing the skin.
This helps to maintain the balance of normal skin and prevent problems that could occur.
Waxing Dry Skin
Some skin is dry because it does not produce enough sebum and cannot retain moisture like normal skin.
This result is skin that often appears dry and an opaque, wrinkled appearance. Extremely dry skin requires that it be exfoliated gently, which often leaves it more prone to dryness.
Thus, dry skin might eventually become irritated and itchy, which will require extra hydration after it has been waxed.
This is in addition to the pre- and post-depilatory lotion treatments.
An excellent alternative to wax for anyone with dry skin is sugar paste, which is organic and only attaches to the hair, not to a client’s skin. This minimizes irritation as well as pain to the skin when waxing is complete.
Sugar paste is also more malleable than hard wax, which allows it to soak further down into the hair root.
Another alternative is chocolate wax, which is highly nourishing and very gentle on the skin.
Waxing Oily Skin
Although oily skin retains healthy water levels, there is an overabundance when it comes to sebum.
This can cause problems in areas such as the face and back, which often break out with clogged pores, redness, and acne.
This can affect the waxing process. In other areas, such as the legs and arms, this usually is not a problem. The best way to deal with oily skin is to apply powder before waxing since this will absorb excess oil and allow the wax to adhere correctly to the hair.
When pre- and post-depilatory lotions are used, the best products for oily skin have a light, fast-absorption texture.
Waxing Sensitive Skin
Skin can be over-sensitive for a wide variety of different reasons. These can include a natural predisposition to sensitivity, medical conditions, and even sudden adverse reactions.
Regardless of the reason, waxing sensitive skin requires that it be done with special care.
If a client’s skin is sensitive, it’s the esthetician’s responsibility to ask if they have any allergy to whatever ingredients are in the products used in the waxing process.
The esthetician should also have anti-allergic medications on hand for emergencies.
They should also have hypoallergenic waxes (fragrance-free or low-fragrance waxes are ideal) to minimize the chances that there will be any allergic reactions.
An excellent example of this is beeswax, which causes severe allergic reactions in some people. To serve clients with this issue, waxes are available that are known to be safe for anyone with sensitive skin.
These types of waxes are free of beeswax and are based on natural resins to take their place.
Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, some circulatory problems, and even some permanent skin conditions also require extra care. Clients who have circulatory problems, for example, need low-melting hard waxes to be used since they can be applied at a lower, more comfortable temperature for extra-sensitive capillaries.
Clients with diabetes should have waxing done only after their skin is very clean to prevent any infections.
Clients who have skin issues such as rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and other conditions should be careful about having a waxing procedure done. Skin with any irritations, wounds, cracks, scabs, hives, bumps, or other alterations should not be waxed.
As part of an esthetician’s pre-treatment discussion, a client should be asked if they have taken an acne medication since this might lead to burns and skin lifts that could lead to scarring and other damage.
This is because many acne medications cause shedding of superficial layers of skin, which leaves lower layers exposed.
Acne medications can also lead to sensitivity to pulling on the skin.
Anyone with sensitive skin should be careful about having a waxing treatment.
As with all sensitive skin needs, great care should be taken using good antiseptic pre-depilatory and post-depilatory lotions.
Wax must also be used at a low heat setting and when allergenic ingredients are absent.
Anyone who seeks a waxing treatment should be aware of all the potential dangers involved, especially in light of skin conditions that they might have.
The responsibility of making sure these conditions are known falls with both the client and the esthetician who performs the service.