Waxing a full arm for a man

The setup was an appointment for a full arm wax on a man.

The man had everything waxed including hands and knuckles. His arm hair went all the way around his arm from shoulder to wrist; nothing on the palm of the hand.

While the hair was not too thick on the upper arm it was thick on the lower arm and especially beginning above the wrist and onto the hand. THIS IS WHERE, IN PARTICULAR, I HAD DIFFICULTY.

I used soft wax with strips as the usual for large areas.

Spreading the direction of hair growth (thin as possible), pressing along the strip a couple times, pulling parallel to the skin quickly and applying pressure. Doing what we know is proper technique...

I haven't done a lot of arms, but this was certainly not my first. Before the appointment I even reviewed videos I have purchased from waxing professionals here at ASCP... I moved from the upper arm down holding the arm taut, but when I got to the lower arm I began having difficulty. We wound up having him recline on the treatment table which did seem to work better than sitting up.

Here is part of what I think I was unprepared to deal correctly with:

Spreading the wax on the especially hairy areas (around the wrist and on the hand).

Getting the skin to be tight enough to pull without lifting, esp. around the wrist and on the hand.

It is possible that the temperature in the salon/spa was several degrees lower than the ideal, but I may have to deal with that.

So...what happened was that as I moved down the arm things began to fall apart. By the time I got to the lower areas I would pull the strip and the wax would not come up becoming a gooey mess. I then tried to remove it and the hair with hard wax. Nothing seemed to be going well. The skin was black so it was a little hard to tell about the level of redness/irritation, but it certainly was evident that a few spots of skin lifted (again, esp. in the areas noted above). I can imagine there was a good deal of inflammation.

I applied soothing and calming (& tea tree) products post wax.

I was horrified and did not feel in control of this situation. This was an experience like no other I have had and the very first time ever, that I did not offer my business card afterwards; I was that embarrassed.

I would love all of your feedback!

Thanks,

Sally

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Comment by Annette B costello on January 19, 2014 at 5:32am: Yes the Aloe is from Satin Smooth. Make sure the skin is dry before applying wax. Apply it to the skin after waxing as well.

Comment by Sally Connor on January 18, 2014 at 6:02am: Your Aloe is probably a Satin Smooth product then? It would have to leave the skin without a film of product or the wax would not adhere to the hair; like if you use pre-ep oil before hard wax (when it is called for) and not blotted well enough and it just rolls off.

It also sounds like your wax may may be one that does not need dusting the skin first because it is already in the wax formulation. My spa does not use Satin Smooth wax brand, but I am thinking the aloe gel is Satin Smooth, which is always used post wax along with Tea tree oil.

I'll see about trying the aloe as a pre-ep.

Thanks.

Comment by Annette B costello on January 18, 2014 at 4:56am: Hi Sally!

If the skin is dry it causes redness and irritation in the skin. I am an Senior educator for Satin Smooth we do not use any powder on the skin as our wax has built in buffers. Try using the Aloe (cool) to pretreat I am sure you will love it!

Comment by Sally Connor on January 17, 2014 at 8:54am: Thanks Annette. I learn a lot from people and what works for them as well as videos/classes :)

From what I have always understood, the skin needs to be dry to wax and with soft wax usually a slight bit of powder is applied.

Doesn't the aloe make the arm moist - my aloe product is a gel, perhaps a different form dries??

I have incorporated some of your wise suggestions about fisting, bending and smaller sections with better success!!

Comment by Annette B costello on January 17, 2014 at 6:43am: Pre-treat the skin with Aloe to help moisturize the skin. If the skin is too dry it will pull the moisture from the wax , leaving wax on the skin. If this happens, small sections will help remove the wax left on the skin. In the wrist area and hand take smaller sections....have the client make a fist and bend their wrist when removing the wax. I pre-treat all my clients expecially in the winter months.

Hope this helps!

Comment by Sally Connor on November 17, 2013 at 5:09pm: Thanks Dianna!

I am finding there are a variety of ways people position the client and the arms in waxing the arm.

I am watching professional DVD's I had purchased from ASCP professionals as well as professional videos online. I also checked with my partner esthetician for tips on her protocols, methods. And will be able to practice on her arms. LOL

Having a planned pattern is important and finding pattern seems to allow me the tightest skin and ability to reach all areas plus more practice will make that go more smoothly. I just haven't done a lot of arms or legs, either. Especially 'full' arms and legs.

A light dusting of powder.

I am hearing with soft wax and thick/long hair, it's best to trim it down. I just have scissors, but hair clippers with a guard (1/4") or the Venus Bikini Trimmer might be a good investment.

Having the client put his hand in a fist and let it drop (bend at the wrist) helps tighten that skin.

I believe the room temp got too cool. The control for our spa is in the physical therapist's room and sometimes she needs to turn the temp "off", but then the other spa room gets cool and cool air blows from the ceiling. I've shared with her and we'll work with each other to have better control over that.

Keeping within the correct range of room temp. will help with the spread and results when pulling of the strip. Because too cool can cause the skin to lift.

I am also reading articles searching for tips and such...

I need to practice, really. My very nice husband is willing ... :)

Comment by dianna d'andrea on November 17, 2013 at 3:01pm: I JUST FEEL BAD FOR YOU. I DON'T HAVE ANY ADVICE. I CAN ONLY SAY THAT ALOT OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED SOMETHING UNCOMFORTABLE (TO SAY THE LEAST) SO AT LEAST YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT ALONE. I ONCE PERFORMED A BRAZILLIAN WAX, IT WAS ONLY MY 2ND OR 3RD. I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL READY FOR IT, BUT MY EMPLOYER ASSURED ME THAT I WAS AND SHOULD JUST JUMP IN AND GET MY HANDS WET ! MISTAKE , ON BOTH OUR PARTS. I WILL LISTEN TO MY INNER VOICE THE NEXT TIME AND TRUST MY OWN JUDGEMENT. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT I HOPE YOU HAVE BETTER EXPERIENCES WITH WAXING IN THE FUTURE.. :)