Q&A

Australian Bodycare UK’s head of education Jess Kilby reveals her tips for delivering safe wax treatments during the Covid-19 pandemic

How can waxers reassure anxious clients that the treatment will be safe and hygienic?

“As waxers, we need to have no secrets with our clients – we need to be totally transparent. So, reassure them that you’ll be wearing PPE, let them know the steps you will be taking throughout the treatment and exactly how you’ll prepare the room for them. Before i perfrom an Australian Bodycare treatment, I also reassure the client by telling them that I’ll be using tea treeinfused products, which are antibacterial, and that by not using a spatula but our own dispenser heads for each customer, there will be no risk of cross-contamination.”

Are there any additional measures waxers should be taking now?

“Disposable towels and couch covers are great for hygiene. It’s just a matter of cleaning the bed down and then disposing of these properly. It’s all well and good having disposable equipment but if you don’t dispose of them properly then it really defeats the object.”

Do you have any tips on how to put on and remove PPE correctly?

“My best advice is to get all your essential PPE into little packs for the day, so that in your 15-minute turnaround slot you can grab the pack and quickly get it all ready. Organisation is key and although this takes a bit of planning, it saves time during the day. Pop the pre-prepared packs in a bin liner bag and then at the end of the day you can pop all the used PPE into it and dispose of it properly.”

Is there anything waxers need to tell clients to do to minimise the Covid-19 risk further?

“Obviously, we would ask clients to wear a face mask upon arrival, but it is also crucial they arrive for their treatment right on time – not early or late – so there’s no crossover with other customers.

“It’s also a good idea to mention on the phone when confirming their treatment that you’ll be checking their temperature on arrival and asking them to check in with a QR code via the NHS Covid-19 app.”

Are there any mistakes waxers make when it comes to hygiene?

“Yes – double dipping! I still see it, unfortunately. If salons are still using the spatula method then they need to be very careful not to double dip as standard wax isn’t hot enough to kill viruses and bacteria; it just harbours them.”

Do you think Covid-19 will have a lasting impact on the industry?

“Absolutely not. I think that both men and women care too much about their appearance and how these services make them feel, and waxing is such a staple treatment that clients want and need.

“Once customers have been for the initial treatment and feel reassured that you’re going to great lengths to keep them safe during this difficult time, they’ll continue to come back to you.” PB