Eight things you need to know about intimate waxing

1. Do your research 

Andy Rouillard, owner and manager of male grooming salon Axiom Bodyworks in Basingstoke, says, “This is not a job for the fainthearted. You need good communication skills, an eye for detail and a certain amount of fearlessness to be a successful waxer. A healthy sense of humour also comes in handy.

"If you can’t imagine getting hands-on with a customer’s naked bits then this probably isn’t the treatment for you and that’s fine. Despite its popularity, no therapist should ever feel under pressure to offer intimate waxing if they’re anxious or feel uncomfortable about doing so.” 

2. Choose the right products

You can use most hot waxes for intimate waxing but some specialist formulas are designed to give a better end result. Pre and post-wax prep are also vital.

3. Make the options clear

“Whether it's a basic bikini line or a full Brazilian wax, make sure your website lists all the options with a full description of what's included,” says Jack Dunn, The Wax Coach and co-founder of Hot Wax London.

“What's really good for male clients is to give your intimate waxing treatments their own unique code or name, then clients can easily call up to book in for the 'Essex Road' without the fear of their colleagues or friends overhearing the conversation.”

4. Be clever with your technique 

Be mindful about the way in which you remove the wax to make the process as comfortable as possible. “Don’t pick the end of your peelable wax off the skin. In many cases, the flicking of the end of the wax with your fingernails is more painful than the actual removal,” says Tracey Smith, director of wax brand Ashmira Botanica. 

“Instead, daisy chain your wax using the previous strip or dip your spatula into the end of the wax using the waxy end as this lifts it painlessly. If you have a good, smooth end to your wax, it should roll away from the skin when you stretch it.” 

5. Be aware of contraindications

“In addition to the standard waxing contraindications, Habia recommends that therapists should be checking for STIs and urinary tract infections,” adds Rouillard. “Debate continues within the industry as to the actual risk of cross-infection when waxing and it’s worth remembering that clients might not even be aware they have an infection because many STIs do not present with recognisable symptoms for several months after exposure.

"To protect ourselves and our clients, it’s vital therapists follow universal hygiene procedures for intimate waxing – wear gloves, don’t double dip, disinfect and sterilise tools and equipment as appropriate, use clean towels and dispose of salon waste in line with your local authority guidelines.”

6. Be confident in treatment

“When waxing hard-to-reach areas, the correct positioning and stretching of the client is imperative for a thorough wax. You can’t be embarrassed to ask a client to get into different positions to reach those hard to see areas,” says Lisa Stone, Salon System educator and wax specialist.

7. Always consider ways to bring in new clients

Many people go to a lot of effort adoring their bodies with tattoos and piercings, so they probably don’t want hair growing over and covering them.

“Something that makes total sense to me is, if you know someone’s going to get a sleeve tattoo, then offer to wax them beforehand. This becomes a great opportunity to link up with the local tattoo parlor, who usually do body piercings too,” says Sam Marshall, the owner of The Beauty Guru in Manchester.

8. Make sure your team are comfortable

“You have to think about the happiness and willingness of your staff team when offering services,” says Rouillard. “Some won’t want to offer intimate waxing to men because of religious reasons, or maybe their partner isn’t comfortable with it, for example.”

“They have to want to do it. There’s nothing worse than trusting your bits and bobs in the hands of a nervous therapist, let’s be honest.”

8. Make sure your team are comfortable

“You have to think about the happiness and willingness of your staff team when offering services,” says Rouillard. “Some won’t want to offer intimate waxing to men because of religious reasons, or maybe their partner isn’t comfortable with it, for example.”

“They have to want to do it. There’s nothing worse than trusting your bits and bobs in the hands of a nervous therapist, let’s be honest.”