The Bad Habits that need to Stop!

At nkd ( ) we see time after time therapists applying to work with us and bringing their bad habits with them. It’s not necessarily any fault of their own, it’s just these habits have formed over time and therapists believe their using the best techniques because no one has ever shown them anything else. In this article we want to talk about some of these poor techniques and how to avoid them!

1. Strip Wax vs Hot Wax

Some salons feel that strip wax is fine for all waxing and therefore, when therapists come to nkd ( ) they are used to using strip wax all the time and never having to switch to hot wax. At nkd ( ) we aim to make the waxing process as simple and pain free as possible and this means using the correct wax type for the correct treatment.

We never use strip wax on intimate areas or parts of the body where the hair is darker and coarser and needs the finish that hot wax will give. Not only does it make for better hair removal but it also means that the client suffers less discomfort.

Strip wax in a faster wax and can be applied in larger areas then removed immediately. This means that it should be used on larger areas such as legs or arms.

2. Wax application

Appropriate wax application is an important part of the waxing process and the attention to detail here is what makes our nkd ( ) therapists the experts that they are. During our training, we focus heavily on this during the training to get the best results from the treatment.

When it comes to strip wax, you need to use a wooden spatula to take out the right amount of wax (with Perron Rigot’s Cristal Ocean you need about 50% less product than other brands). Then apply the wax to the skin in very thin layers and in the direction of growth, holding the spatula at a slight angle when doing this. The wax is then removed using a strip, pulling in the direction of hair growth close to the skin (and not upwards as this will snap the hair rather than remove it at the root), this should be removing against the direction of growth

For hot wax, we’re aiming for a thicker application as this wax will shrink wrapped around the course, tougher hairs which we tend to find in the intimate and underarm area. Most hot waxes in the industry are applied with and against the growth of the hair, however by using the more advanced waxes available from Perron Rigot we’re able to show you how to apply hot wax with the direction of hair growth in such a way that it will grip and remove even the most stubborn hairs successfully. Hot wax does not require a strip for removal, instead the wax will set and dry, allowing the therapist to grip the thicker end of the strip and remove against the hair growth.

3. Correct pre/post products

Skipping pre and post waxing products is an absolute no no at nkd ( ) – we are massively passionate about making the waxing process and fuss free and pain free as possible and the application of appropriate products before and after waxing can contribute to this is a big way.

Clean & Prep the Skin: We use Perron Rigot’s Blue Lotion for this step, it’s an astringent, cleansing and refreshing lotion for use before and after waxing and helps remove any dirt and product on the surface of the skin, giving you the perfect area to work on.

Create a Barrier: Perron Rigot’s Jasmine Oil is a soothing, moisturizing oil whose main ingredients are mineral oil, cottonseed oil and jasmine fragrance. We apply this before treatment to protect the skin and create a barrier against the wax, this means the wax will adhere to the hair and not the skin, causing it to pull and hurt less.

Clean and Soothe: We use a small amount of Jasmine Oil and Blue Lotion to clean the area that has been waxed, removing any residue left over. We then add Perron’s Refreshing Gel which soothes and refreshes the skin after treatment as well as containing natural anti-bacterial ingredients that are great at fighting infection in the freshly opened pores.

Skipping these steps means a less pleasant experience for your client – and creates a treatment that is elevated from okay to expert.

4. Double dipping spatulas

Whilst some therapists and salons see no harm in this, at nkd ( ) we never double dip our spatulas. Double dipping is the practice of reusing the same spatula after dipping it back into the wax pot multiple times – it is assumed that this is fine as the temperature of the wax should ‘kill off’ any bacteria and germs, therefore making it hygienic.

Although there are arguments for both sides of this debate, at nkd ( ) we don’t want to put ourselves – or our clients – in a position where dirt or bacteria could be transferred between clients and for that reason we never double dip our spatulas. This is our policy and we never allow our therapists to do it.

5. Wax residue left on clients!

It’s incredibly annoying for clients when they get home and find their trousers sticking to their legs! This can be completely avoidable if therapists take time during the wax appointment to work cleanly and with consistency.

Therapists should avoid randomly removing wax strips and leaving large patches of wax residue behind, they should also take time at the end of the treatment to remove any remaining wax residue with the correct post waxing product.

At nkd ( ) we love Perron Rigot Jasmine oil which we use AFTER waxing to remove sticky wax residue because of it’s softening and protective properties, plus, because it contains refined mineral oil and jasmine oil it’s a indulgent way to end a treatment and leave client’s skin feeling silky soft.