The Essential Techniques Taught in Waxing Courses

Learning proper waxing techniques is an integral part of a comprehensive esthetics curriculum. During their training, students will take waxing courses to learn various waxing techniques for the legs, eyebrows face and the bikini area. The quality of their waxing courses is extremely important, as waxing is a very sensitive procedure that can cause unnecessary pain and skin reactions when not performed correctly.
In addition to providing hands-on experience in the various waxing techniques, waxing courses should provide students with a background in anatomy and physiology, hygiene and decontamination, first aid procedures, basic dermatology and professional ethics. Knowing how to consult with clients to determine their specific needs and to identify obvious skin disorders or hair growth patterns is also an essential part of the job.

The “Ouch” Factor

Waxing can be an uncomfortable, and even painful, hair removal process – particularly when clients are having hair removed from sensitive areas of the body. However, waxing courses train estheticians how to use waxing techniques that will reduce the discomfort level of their clients. One of the techniques commonly taught in waxing courses as a way of minimizing pain, is to pull the skin taunt before ripping the wax strip (and the attached hair) from the client’s body. For particularly pain-sensitive clients, some estheticians also recommend taking a dose of pain reliever prior to their appointments. Because of its blood-thinning properties, aspirin should not be taken.

Professional Eyebrow Waxing Techniques

Eyebrow waxing is one technique that should really be left to the professionals. During their waxing courses, estheticians not only learn general waxing techniques, but also how to shape eyebrows correctly to suit their client’s facial features. When you apply hot wax to your eyebrows yourself, you also risk dripping the hot wax into your eyes – a painful and potentially dangerous situation.
When you have your eyebrows waxed, the first thing your esthetician will do is clean the skin well to get rid of excess oils, dirt and makeup. She will then apply the wax over hair you want removed, along with a thin strip of linen or muslin fabric. After the fabric is massaged into the wax, your esthetician will pull your skin taunt and rip the fabric strip off your brow. In order to be effective, the hair must be at least ¼” long. In fact, this is the standard for all waxing procedures – not just the eyebrows.