Men’s waxing is becoming much more acceptable and popular now, with more salons offering it and more clients requesting it. Much of the hair removal training is focused on areas of the body for women, who continue to be, by far, the highest proportion of clients who wax. The back and shoulders is probably the most requested male hair removal treatment and if you have never waxed one before it can be quite daunting.
Preparation
When the client makes their appointment, ask them to bring a clean T-shirt or shirt to wear after the waxing treatment. Some men with particularly hairy backs often trim or shave the area around the base of the neck to prevent the hairs from sticking over the neckline of clothing and for added comfort. This can lead to those hairs being too short for us to pluck, so when the client makes an appointment, you can advise them to let their hair grow out a bit before the appointment.
Begin with the client in the prone position (face down) on their treatment table. Now you can assess the direction of hair growth, usually there is a line from the base of the neck that grows towards the waist, and then inwards from either side towards the middle.
If the hairs are more than about 1 cm in length, they should be trimmed with a suitable set of razors. Grade 2 (6mm) is a perfect length for waxing up; this provides a good length for the wax to adhere to and for client comfort. If the hairs are left too long, they may break off rather than be removed and will be more painful for the client.
Rub and clean the area to be waxed with a suitable Pre-Cera cleaning product. Blue Lotion or Lotion Eau de Cristal by Perron Rigot are great products for this, and can also be used after waxing to remove any wax residue.
Make sure skin is dry, wipe with a couch roll or disposable towel, then apply a very small amount of light oil to the area to be epilated. The oil should be used instead of talcum powder; it’s easier to use, it’s a lot less complicated, and it really makes the customer experience a lot more comfortable. The oil provides a lipid barrier between the wax and the skin, so the wax only sticks to the hair and not the skin, making it much less painful. Perron Rigot or Berins Jasmin Oil are excellent products for this. It’s important to remember that you only need a small amount of oil! If you apply too much and find the wax slides off, simply wipe away with a wax strip or couch roll.
hair removal
Start by removing the center line of hair that grows down the spine toward the waist. Some therapists find it easier to do this using hot wax/no strips; use the one that is most comfortable and safe for you.
This will give you a nice straight line to wax now for the sides, remember not to wax around the corners. So I make each side into two or three sections, depending on the size of the client. Starting 10-15 cm from the nearest edge of the waxed line, apply a thin layer of wax towards the midline. Start just above the waist and work your way up to the scapula (shoulder bone).
Remember to apply the wax in the direction of hair growth. Then, using strips of paper, remove the wax and hair, remembering to keep the skin taut and taut at all times. Then make another section, again about 10 – 15cm long down the back and continue until the nearer side is complete. Now move to the other side of the client and repeat for this side. When reaching the outside of the back, it is often easiest to ask the client to lie on their side and raise their arm above their head.
If you find that your skin dries out as you wax, apply a little more of the oil at the beginning of each section.
It is important to bring the hairline below where the client wears their pants. Ask the client to slightly lower the pants and pants, explain why, and then follow the same procedure as above. Start by epilating the center section first and then from the sides. This usually goes down to the top of the neckline on the buttocks.
Once this is done, this is a good time to apply your after wax products to refresh and soothe the waxed area. I usually use a good quality Tea Tree based moisturizer, using a product that you can also sell afterward is very helpful.
Have the client now sit at the end of the table so that you can complete the waxing of the upper back, base of the neck, and shoulders.
When waxing the shoulders, be sure to go over and down to the clavicle, as this gives you a natural line. For the outer part of the shoulder, always ask the client how far they would like to shave, I usually follow the line of the deltoid muscle. If your arms have a bit of hair, it’s usually best to make sure the shaved area doesn’t extend beyond the line of your shirt.
Aftercare
As you complete the treatment, introduce the aftercare procedure to your client. Give them your aftercare advice both verbally and in writing. Also ask them if they would like to take any aftercare products with them.
Men are pretty lazy, so products like Tea Tree-based skin washes work great.