Raising waxing standards

With more and more questionable demo videos on social media, Marta Zaczkowska says it’s time to raise awareness of waxing best practice

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and with the abundance of videos circulating the internet from influencers and self-proclaimed experts, it leaves me wondering how therapists still in training, or newly qualified and entering the industry, can identify the right practices from the wrong. I see videos of poor standards shared across social media platforms with little to no regard for the image it portrays of either the waxer or the brand.

I have seen waxing videos with double dipping, no gloves, and misinformation in general, and this worries me greatly. Platforms such as YouTube and TikTok have no quality control for this content, which is often made by people with no beauty qualifications whose videos have higher views than those posted by the professionals.

Worldwide issue

As an advocate for high standards with a passion for education, I decided to tackle this by launching the Raising Standards in Waxing campaign. It started within the “Support Group for Waxing Professionals” Facebook group, which has 3.4k members who were discussing the issue. The campaign highlights these concerns and provides a free guide to best practices and recommendations for high standards in the waxing industry.

It focuses on the most important factors that needed to be addressed to raise standards: qualifications, insurance, patch testing, hygiene protocols, waxing consultations, treatment protocols, and post-waxing care.

Over seven weeks, via my business The Waxing Specialist Academy, I shared educational videos, highlighting the recommendations, the absolute ‘no-nos’, and providing a space for debate.

I want to help therapists take pride in the waxing industry, working towards the highest standards for their business and clientele.

My top 12 best practice recommendations:

1. Get professional liability insurance to protect yourself against financial losses from any lawsuits filed against you by clients.

2. Follow your training and wax manufacturer’s guidance for any products that you use.

3. Single-use, disposable gloves should be worn during all waxing treatments.

4. Use a new spatula each time wax is removed from the pot and placed onto the client’s skin. The used spatula goes straight into the bin.

5. A wax patch test should be carried out on a small section of the area you are going to treat. A patch test is not a full indication of whether a client is allergic until it is in the intended area in a treatment quantity.

6. Carry out a full waxing consultation with a client declaration statement and signature.

7. Provide verbal and written post-waxing care.

8. Intimate waxing treatments should only be carried out if the client is aged 18 or over.

9. For best hygiene practice, roller wax should only be used on one client and disposed of immediately after.

10. No jewellery or watches should hang or touch the client’s skin. No mobile phones should be held while wearing gloves or treating the client.

11. No pets or other animals on the salon premises. An exception: assistance dogs are protected under the Equality Act 2010 and are allowed into public places.

12. Do not wax pregnant women who have never been waxed before. Only offer pregnancy waxing if you are qualified, trained in intimate hot waxing and insured.

You can download a free copy of the e-book Raising Standards in Waxing at martazaczkowska.com.