Waxing Services

Tanning clients can indulge in both paraffin and depilatory waxing treatments year-round. Paraffin treatments involve painting or dipping the skin with hot paraffin wax, which possibly can prolong the life of a tan through increased skin hydration and moisturization. Depilatory or hair-removal waxing can establish a skincare regime for those who seek a hairless body image.

Since tanning is seasonal, waxing treatments would provide owners some extra income during the slower periods. Plus, the more services a client is provided, the longer he or she will stay at the salon, which opens up opportunities for additional sales.

While waxing services can possibly boost business, there are some drawbacks, especially related to overexposure and other skin sensitivities.

One expert recommends no sun exposure 24 to 48 hours before or after waxing. "If you take hot wax and put it on freshly overexposed skin it’s going to cause some challenges-anything from scabbing to blistering," she says.

Also, after waxing or hair removal, the last thing a person would want to do is use a tingle lotion and get into a tanning bed since the skin is going to be sensitive to products.

After weighing the benefits and drawbacks of both types of wax treatments, a salon owner can decide on equipment and products to carry. Retailing pre- and post-wax-treatment products also is an option.

A salon owner could begin with a $500 to $1,000 investment, which would include a range from low-end to high-end equipment. "For $1,000, they only have to do 10 full-body paraffin cocoons and it’s paid for—if they are charging $100 per treatment," says another industry veteran. "Invest in something that is going to give you the return value fairly quickly."

Medical-grade, low-melt paraffin remains pliable and molds over the body to lock in heat. Some compare the consistency of the heated paraffin to taffy. The wax used for depilatory treatments is resin-based because it’s designed to surround itself around hair and adhere to it, so once the strip is removed, the hair also is removed.

Equipment needed to perform the full-body paraffin treatment includes a massage table, plastic and metallic sheets, a thermal blanket, a stainless-steel-lined tank, and disposable applicators, brushes, mitts or booties for hands and feet.

Depilatory treatments require a separate heated pot, which should be covered when not in use. Roll-on wax applicators with special heating units also are an option. In addition to disposable wax applicators and muslin strips, it’s suggested to have available a table or facial chair, tweezers, scissors, brushes and a mirror.

Experts recommend retailing products for pre- and post-waxing treatments. There are products to weaken hair follicles, numbing sprays, antiseptic lotions, after-wax cooling gels and no-bump lotions. Some products aren’t geared necessarily for waxing, but for shaving, where some of the same properties apply.