A contra-action can occur during or after any beauty or holistic treatment. Below is a list of contra-actions that can occur during a wax treatment.
Bruises – Bruises can occur during waxing treatments and are caused by the incorrect removal of the wax strip. If the wax strip is not removed parallel with the body, a bruise may occur as the skin is pulled in an upward direction. This causes blood to leak from damaged blood vessels resulting in discolouration of the skin known as a bruise. Stretching and supporting the skin during the treatment can help to reduce the risk of bruising during waxing.
If bruising does occur during a waxing treatment, apply a cold compress to the area. The bruise will usually fade with time and should not cause long term damage to the skin.
Histamine Response to Waxing – Waxing causes mast cells in the skin to release the chemical histamine into surrounding tissues. This sends nerve impulses to the brain which it recognises as mild irritation. If there are more nerve impulses, pain is felt.
Histamine causes dilation of the blood capillaries in the skin which increases the blood flow to the area and makes the skin appear red. If only the edge of the hair follicle is affected red dots appear. This is known as urticaria or nettle rash and should only last a few days. If it lasts longer, the client should seek medical advice.
Increased blood supply to the area dilutes the histamine levels and increases the number of white blood cells to the area to help deal with infection. An increase in the temperature of the skin may occur along with erythema and swelling. Apply a lint free, cool compress to the area to soothe it. If the reaction is severe during the treatment then stop immediately.
Skin Removal – Small areas of the uppermost layers of the skin can sometimes be removed during the wax treatment. This can happen if the wax strip is not removed parallel with the body or by repeatedly waxing over the same area. The skin appears grazed or shiny and red. This is more common in clients who have very dry and fragile skin.
If skin removal occurs during a waxing treatment, apply a cold compress to the area for 10 minutes. Apply a lint free dressing over the affected area to prevent infection, and refer the client to their GP for medical advice.
Burns – Burns can occur if the temperature of the wax has not been properly regulated. Thermostatic wax pots must always be used to heat the wax up to the correct working temperature. Never heat the wax up using any other equipment, such as a microwave. You could end up burning yourself as well as your client.
If the wax has not been removed then run cold water over the area for at least ten minutes and seek medical assistance, never try to remove the wax from the skin. If the wax has been removed from the skin, you must run cold water over the area for at least 10 minutes and seek medical assistance. If burns are severe ask someone else to call an ambulance whilst you attend to the client.
Cooling the burn reduces pain, swelling and the risk of scarring. The faster and longer a burn is cooled, the less the impact of the injury.
Folliculitis – This is the infection of a hair follicle caused by the staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It causes acute inflammation and pus formation. The risk of infection can be minimised by high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. It tends to occur after the client leaves the salon and does not follow the aftercare advice. They must not touch or scratch the area that has been waxed as this can cause infection. They must not go swimming or participate in any exercise classes for at least 48 hours as this may expose them to bacteria that will cause infection. The use of antibacterial shower and bath products and antiseptic creams after treatment can reduce the risk of infection. Clients should avoid wearing tight fitting clothes after a wax treatment as they can cause irritation and make the skin warm. The bacteria in sweat increases the risk of infection. If the client experiences folliculitis they must see their GP for medication.
You need to obtain a note from the client’s GP before offering further waxing treatments.
Infected Ingrown Hairs – The ingrown hair occurs when the hair cannot grow above the entrance to the hair follicle as it is blocked. The hair then grows under the surface of the skin and infection can occur. The client may have to seek advice from their GP prior to waxing. The treatment can then be carried out once the condition has cleared completely.
Clients who have very dry skin or very curly or strong hair are prone to ingrown hairs. They can be prevented by regular use of a body brush and using exfoliating and moisturising products. Clients should be encouraged to wear loose fitting clothes to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.
Broken Hairs – During waxing, hair may be broken off at an angle instead of being removed at the follicle. This means it will reappear after a short amount of time and may change how the hair grows in future. Broken hairs can be caused by poor technique, usually when a waxing strip is pulled off at the wrong angle. If the hairs are too long they may also break off, meaning you must ensure they are trimmed prior to treating.
Blood Spotting – When hairs are removed by waxing or tweezers, blood spotting may occur in certain areas of the body. Usually this is in areas of the body where the hairs are very strong or curly, for example, in the bikini or underarm areas. When this occurs, the area must be blotted with a tissue and antiseptic cream should be applied and the waste disposed of safely as it is contaminated. The contaminated spatula must be replaced and not re-dipped into the wax pot as it will contaminate it with blood. The old spatula must also be disposed of in the contaminated waste bin. The high risk of blood spotting is why therapists should use disposable protective gloves during wax treatments.
Regrowth – Clients can experience excessive or diminished re-growth after a waxing treatment. If the client advises you that they think the hairs are growing stronger in an area after waxing, it may be that they are suffering an underlying hormonal imbalance and so it may be a good idea to refer them to their GP to discuss their concerns before future appointments are made.
Sometimes, after a client has had waxing on the same area for a long time, the hairs may not grow back as thickly. Most clients are very happy if this occurs.