The Risky Business of Body Waxing

You’ve finished your training, passed your boards with flying colors, and now you are ready to take on the world. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed you have put together a resume and cover letter that gets results. You’re hired! Those words are music to your ears, and they have given you the confidence boost that you need in order to live your dreams of waxing, facials, cuts, color, or round brushing. You can’t wait to tell all of those that have loved and supported you throughout your beauty school journey.

On The Job Training

It’s Monday and you are in your treatment room or at your station, and Mrs. Smyth walks in unexpected and needs a facial wax. She is headed out of town for business tomorrow. You are the only one available, and the receptionist books her with you. Yay! This is your first official client. Your career is off to a great start. You go through you mental check list:

Wax Melted√

Strips√

Applicators√

Gloves√

Client form completely filled out√

In the midst of you servicing your first client on your first day, the owner walks over and says “Take good care of Mrs. Smyth. She’s a regular. Oh and by the way, we use one applicator per client.” You hesitantly comply with her wishes; after all, she is the owner, and you don’t want to make any waves on your first day.

The receptionist tells you before handing you your only tip (Mrs. Smyth’s) that the owner would like to speak to you. The walk to the back office is one of the longest walks you’ll ever take. You get there and nervously sit down, and ask “Is there anything wrong?” She says “Yes, there is. Mrs. Smyth complained about how long it took you to wax her and that your gloves kept sticking to her face, and I noticed that you used too many supplies for that one service.”

Don’t Rock the Boat Baby

You are at the pinnacle of your career, you work in a posh Midwest salon, and the potential for growth is endless. There is just one problem – they are unsanitary, I mean DISGUSTING. They break every rule on sanitation. They double dip during waxing, don’t wear gloves, their wax pots are a health code violation, and you, the germaphobe, are forced to go along with their unsanitary practices. After all, your job is on the line. In your heart you know that double dipping and not wearing gloves while waxing is risky business, but you need your job. So you grin and bear it.

Making Waves

Sanitation during body waxing is a very touchy subject and has been known to spark the most heated debates among spa and salon professionals – so much so that people are afraid of losing their jobs if they speak out. If sanitation is a huge issue to you and you are unwilling to compromise:

o Put it in writing. Use your resume and cover letter, as well as your application, to state your intentions upfront.

o Be willing to take a stand or walk. If you are serious about sanitation and the risks associated with double dipping and not wearing gloves while waxing, don’t compromise your standards.

o Be on the lookout. There are spas and salons that exist that practice safe sanitation. Keep going until you find the right one.

o Ask and you shall receive. During any routine interview, the interviewer will ask the “if you have any questions.” This is your chance to ask about their sanitation practices.

o Call in reinforcement. You’ve been gainfully employed; and besides the waxing violations, things are perfect. Before you approach management concerning their sanitation fiasco, do your research. Find others that share your viewpoint in a respectful manner.

o Put yourself in their shoes. This may be very embarrassing for them. Take their feelings into consideration and assure them that it is in the spa’s best interest to provide the safest services to your clients.

The benefits of body waxing are endless. As we are in peak season for waxing and sun, please put your clients’ health first.