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Waxing is a popular,
convenient, and somewhat economical option for de-fuzzing and many people do it...without
knowing much about it.
The
first thing that comes to mind for many is pain. One's pain threshold is higher
later in the day, so if it's your first time, and you're scared, make your
appointment for 3PM or later. You could also take painkillers about an hour
before your appointment. You really don't need the prescription medication, unless Myprodol requires a
prescription? I don't remember, haven't taken it in YEARS! Panado, Grandpa, Ponstel and
Neurofen should be okay. The first time is the worst, I promise. Unless something bad (burns, skin
pulling/ripping, bad reaction) happens after that. I've had all of the above,
and I don't wish it upon ANYONE.
Making the
appointment:
PLEASE go to a qualified professional therapist/salon for this service. Especially if it is your first time. If not, I have no problems with student salons (where health and skin care professionals in-the-making get some experience and mainly "practise" for their exams, etc) but don't expect a five star, perfect waxing session in record time. They're still learning, and need the practise and hours, so they may be a bit slow, and sometimes make mistakes. They need to, that's how/where they learn. Also know that you have the right to ask to see a therapists qualification. If the salon/therapist can't provide it, then you are NOT obligated to make use of the salon's/therapist's services.
If it is not possible
to go in before the time for a consultation to discuss the procedure and your
concerns, ask for 15 minutes extra when booking your appointment, to do this.
In this time, make sure you understand everything BEFORE the treatment starts.
If you need the therapist to tell you step by step, for reassurance, ask
him/her to do so. It's your right.
If your salon of
choice doesn't require you to fill out a consultation/indemnity form before ANY
treatment, walk out immediately. Just go. These forms are highly important and
protect you and the salon/spa/therapist. Also, it contains emergency
information in case something unforeseen happens., accidents which require medical
attention and so on. It also communicates your medical history and
contraindications which prohibits you from going through with the treatment. I
cannot stress this enough.
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Contraindications
explained:
Haemophilia: Blood disorder
where one's body can't control blood coagulation and clotting. When waxed, the
hair is pulled out from the root. The root is attached to a dermal papilla,
which supplies the hair with nourishment and oxygen via the blood. That's why
some people get "blood spots" after waxing, as the blood is
"rising up" the follicle when the hair is yanked from it. People with
haemophilia may not stop bleeding (in this case) without medical help. Also, haemophiliacs
tend to bruise very easily. Waxing is not ideal. Medical consent needed.
Medical Oedema: excessive
accumulation of fluid in cells/tissues/cavities. This is usually caused by an
underlying issue. Strictly medical. Waxing may cause discomfort, and/or
exacerbate the condition. Medical consent needed. Also applies to general
swelling and undiagnosed lumps and bumps.
Osteoporosis: Also medical. Bones
are porous, brittle and fragile. This affects all structures above it. Pressure
is often applied in waxing as "support" when removing the wax, also
afterwards to soothe the skin. This may cause discomfort. Medical consent is
essential.
Recent operations
and/or scar tissue: Clients should wait
at least 6 months before a treatment on the area (2 years for major
operations). Waxing could interfere with the natural healing process, be very
uncomfortable and painful. Also applies to fractures, sprains, broken
bones. Medical consent needed, especially since healing process times may
differ from person to person, and you may need longer than 6 months.
Diabetes: Diabetics often
have defective circulation, so their healing process is slower than the average person, and their blood sugar levels need to be
monitored. Also, nerves that sense temperature, pressure and pain on the skin
become damaged, so diabetics are less able to let the therapist know when the wax
is too hot, or when too much pressure is being applied. This can result in
burns and bruises, and general discomfort later on. Medical consent
required.
Loss
of sensation: Client would not
be able to detect heat/cold or pain from treatment. Applies to
diabetes, too. Medical consent is needed.
Severe varicose veins: Client often
experiences tenderness and general discomfort. Waxing would exacerbate this.
Also, in many severe cases,
the vein being so close to the surface
could rupture and cause internal bleeding. Must have medical consent.
Fever
(all types): is usually symptomatic of an underlying
issue/something else going on in your body. Seek medical attention. You may
only wax once your fever has broken, and the cause of it was not serious/another
contraindication.
BACTERIAL
INFECTIONS: CONTAGIOUS! Includes:
Impetigo: reddening of
skin, but soon become pus-filled blisters. Highly contagious, waxing would
cause cross infection. Avoid waxing until treated by medical
professional.
Stye: inflammation of
eyelid, often-upper lid. It is an infection of the sebaceous gland of
the eyelid. Scratching
or rubbing infected area could cause infection to spread. Avoid waxing until
treated and healed.
Boil/Furuncles: Infection of a hair
follicle caused by staphylococci bacteria. Acute inflammation with pus
formation. Cross infection risk.
VIRAL INFECTIONS
Herpes Simplex (Cold sore):
Highly contagious. Cross infection risk. A temporary infection. Avoid waxing in
this area. So no upper lip waxes.
Conjunctivitis: inflammation of the conjunctiva
of the eye. Itchy and sore. Highly contagious. Cross infection risk.
Warts: Firm lesion with a
rough horny surface.
Shingles: painful inflammation of nerve
ganglia. Caused by the chicken pox virus. Often causes a skin eruption of
erythema, vesicles and papules. Therefore, there is a risk of cross-infection
and may leave scar tissue.
FUNGAL INFECTIONS:
Ringworm: Cross infection.
Scabies: Caused by
infestation with the parasitic “Itch mite”. Highly contagious.
Lice: Infestation of the hair and clothes. Contagious
as they can easily be spread by close contact. Lice causes an intense
irritation and one may have possible scratch marks and rash, sensitizing the
skin, making it a contraindication to waxing. Medical consent is required due
to possibility of cross infection and contamination.
Bruising, cuts and
abrasions: A
temporary disorder. It could be painful for the client and disrupt natural
healing process. If open/fresh/weeping, it would be a risk for cross-infection
as well as skin damage, because skin could be pulled/torn further.
Depending on severity, cuts and abrasions could be covered with vaseline
and worked around.
Allergies to
ingredients: If you have known
allergies to the ingredients in a specific brand/variant of wax, let your
salon/therapist know before-hand, and ask if there are any alternative products
available. If not, avoid waxing for the time being, or until you find a product
you don't have a negative reaction to. Sensitive and reactive skins should also
be a aware of this. Medical consent may be required. Test patch is necessary.
Recent
haemorrhage: Waxing
would stimulate the skin and could cause more problems. Medical consent
required
SKIN DISORDERS:
Psoriasis: Autoimmune disease
where the skin cells are mistaken for pathogens, or are seen as such. Skin is
thick, red and flaky, covered in silvery scales. It can become
infected, therefore, if it is open or weeping - no treatment can be carried out
as there is a risk of cross infection. It may be a temporary condition.
Eczema (Atopic
dermatitis): It
is a chronic disorder and varies greatly from one person to another. Certain
products may irritate condition. Scaly, itchy rashes are most
common. Avoid waxing if open and weeping and/or infected as it could
cause cross infection, although this condition is not contagious. Medical consent
required, to be safe.
Raised and hairy
moles: Only
a contraindication if inflamed, swollen, weeping or open as cross
infection could occur . Medical consent needed. Otherwise it could be covered
with petroleum jelly and waxed around.
Medication and Vitamin A treatments: Medical consent is
required for treatment of the skin via oral and/or topical medication e.g.
Roaccutane for acne treatment, as well as Retin A and Accutane. These
treatments may thin and sensitize the skin, and waxing could tear and/or break
the skin, causing bleeding and scarring. Even if you are not on a medical
vitamin A treatment, but use products containing vitamin A, note it on your
client card, and mention this to your therapist. The specific product's name
would help, too.
Sunbed, sunburns, sauna, steam treatments and/or heat
rash: Not
specifically a contraindication to the treatment, but it is advisable that you
wait at least 48 hours after heat treatments such as sauna/steam
room and 4 days after a sunbed session or a lot of sun exposure, as it would be over-stimulation for the skin, and could sensitize the
skin. As for sunburn and heat rash, waxing can only be performed on the
affected areas once the skin has healed or condition has subsided, as it can be
very painful, and can do more harm than good, for example, skin could be pulled/lifted.
Self tan: Self-tan contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA)
which reacts with keratin in the skin and "stains" the
skin. Waxing can cause self-tan to look patchy and streaky as it often
removes the top (dead) layer of skin cells.
Fragile, crepey skin: Can be done with the right amount
of support, but not advisable, as skin may tear easily.
Menstruation: Not a contraindication as such,
but a woman’s pain threshold is at its lowest immediately before and during her
period. Also, the hormones which stimulate hair regrowth are most active during
this period. It is up to the individual at this time. Bikini waxes are
strictly prohibited during menstrual period due to hygiene reasons.
I didn't cover all the contraindications as some of
them are self-explanatory, but you're welcome to ask me if you're unsure of
anything.
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