There are few treatments that we struggle to get a model for and male waxing is one of them. This week our trainer managed to persuade one of the male staff members to a Nose, Ear, and Back wax. The model was in his late 30’s and it was quite apparent that he had not had a back wax for quite a while in fact he referred to himself has a gorilla with luscious fur… hmmm, I’ll leave that with you.
First things first, the model (aka client), completed a client questionnaire so that we (the Beauty Therapist) were aware of the client’s expectations of the treatment. It also gave us an idea of other areas we could make suggestions in an effort to assist with their needs. Our client advised that he used a cleanser but there was no mention of a moisturiser or exfoliate. It was later that we found out that the
client had ‘simplified’ his life with a 3 in 1 body, face, and shampoo treatment used twice a day…it was amazing that his skin wasn’t flaking off his body and instead looked relatively healthy – benefit of being male maybe?
We started with a demonstration of a nose wax. After completing some prep, i.e. cleaning and preparing the skin, the trainer partially filling one nostril with semi dried wax, to ensure that it doesn’t flow into the nose canal, and taking care to add pressure in the right area the wax was ripped out in an upwards motion collecting an impressive amount of nose hair. Our trainer asked if there was anyone that we knew who could do with one these and I immediately thought of my Dad – sorry Dad! The client was horrified and somewhat embarrassed of the hair growing from parts of his body he never considered as areas where hair should grow even though he could see it daily… an insight into the male psyche perhaps? Throughout the treatment more questions were asked about access to our own wax pots suggesting that there may be a few boyfriends, dads, etc. potentially going to be on the waxing table in the near future. The other nostril was completed in the same fashion and then we moved onto the ears.
Taking note of the direction of the ear hair, and ensuring that no wax entered the ear canal, our trainer again pointed out the best method to pull off the wax, i.e. maximising the effectiveness of the hair removal and minimising the pain. The model claimed that the ear wax procedure stung a little more than the nose however both were relatively painless for what was about to come.
Saving the best for last, our client was asked to roll over on to his stomach for the back wax. Some pre wax ‘trimming’ was required due to the thickness of the (client’s words) ‘luscious fur’ and then we prepped the skin with some oil and talc. The trainer pointed out the different directions that the client’s hair grew and started applying a thin layer of wax to one side of the client’s back. The wax strip
was applied and then riiiiiiiip…pressure applied and the used wax strip with a significant amount of hair was shown to us all…impressive. A reminder was given to us that we need to ensure that we apply pressure as soon as the wax is ripped off and to keep moving through the treatment quickly and methodically as opposed to checking out the masses of hair being ripped out!
We were also told that when working in a beauty salon some treatments have an expected time frame associated to it in order to complete the task and that while some treatments can go longer or shorter the main purpose was to maintain the integrity of the appointment book. We also learnt throughout the process that there were places on the client’s back that were significantly more sensitive than others, clearly defined by the client’s sharpness in breathing!
Afterwards, a cold compress was applied which reduced the redness of the skin, followed by the application of a dry tea tree oil. We were all very appreciative of having a live demonstration and I think we all picked up a few pointers to apply to our future guinea pigs…look out Dad, your eyebrows are first!
