Smooth Delivery

Pregnancy and postnatal waxing is big business – get it right and you can attract a whole new client base to your salon, finds Eleanor Vousden.

Intimate waxing for pregnant clients can be daunting, but it needn’t be. “It can be challenging when you’re faced with a pregnant client. You don’t know which way to sit them, you worry if they’re warm enough or too hot, or if they might go a bit dizzy. So, it’s all about knowledge and confidence,” says Jo Weller, master trainer at waxing specialist salon group and training school, Mooeys. In fact, creating a good reputation among new mums can help open your business to a whole new market. “When you specialise in an area, you can charge a premium for it. A lot of clients have their waxing planned so that they’re hair-free when they go into labour,” says Amy Lewis, director of Mooeys.

We quizzed the pros on everything you need to know to wax pre- and postnatal clients with confidence.

When is it safe to wax a pregnant client in salon?

“Therapists and clients often ask when they can have an intimate wax treatment during pregnancy,” says Marta Zaczkowska, director and chief executive of London salon and academy Waxing Specialist. “I advise that clients can have an intimate wax from 12 weeks, through to 38 weeks. This is due to insurance policy restrictions, so you should always check with your provider before offering treatment.”

We have a platform as beauty therapists; it’s not just about applying wax and taking it off, it should be about nurturing too, so give your clients that added level of understanding.

It’s also important to judge on a case-bycase basis. “Let’s say I have someone who comes to the salon for the first time, who I’ve never waxed before, and they are 38 weeks pregnant and have shaved throughout their pregnancy. There is no way I would do a Hollywood for them,” explains Zaczkowska. “However, if I had a client who was 38 weeks pregnant, but who had waxed throughout the pregnancy or has had laser, that would be OK. It’s important to not treat all clients the same, which is why the consultation is so important for this service.”

The consultation is key to arm yourself with the correct information. “During your consultation, ask if this is their first child, how many weeks pregnant they are, have they been waxing during their pregnancy and have they had laser before?”, advises Zaczkowska.

“I also create a pregnancy waxing plan, which I give to them at the end of their appointment,” she adds. “I write when they are due and when I want them to come back. Don’t leave them to decide for themselves when they come back for their next appointment. By providing this service you will create a loyal client.”

Have a salon policy

However, ensuring your client’s safety is paramount, so make sure you’ve got a salon policy. “Mention to them that you reserve the right to refuse or change the treatment if the client is overdue for waxing, has started shaving or if their physical condition is not allowing you to carry out the service,” advises Zaczkowska.

“Reassure your client that you will do your best to meet their expectations, but their safety is of the utmost importance to you. “Keep your consultations ongoing throughout their pregnancy and after the birth too,” advises Weller, explaining that changes can crop up throughout, so it’s important to have a consultation on each visit. “When they are filling out their consultation card, they might forget something but only think to mention it when they’re chatting to you, so it’s important to create that dialogue with your client.”

Additionally, attending a training course dedicated to intimate pregnancy waxing can help boost your confidence in the salon. “Invest in your knowledge,” says Lewis. “Confidence comes with experience but you can also catapult your knowledge by enrolling on a course.”

When it comes to choosing the right wax for your intimate services, it’s best to opt for hot wax as opposed to strip wax.

Choose the right wax

“Hot wax in general is so much kinder to the skin – it can be used on any skin type and is really good for minimising redness. Plus, it’s far less painful and really good for delicate or sensitive skin,” says Weller.

“Strip wax has a tendency to snap the hair. The reason that hot wax works so well is that it doesn’t stick to the skin, the wax shrink-wraps around the hairs which makes it better around intimate areas as well,” adds Lewis. “You don’t get half as much bruising or sensitivity as with strip wax. It’s not as quick but it provides a comfortable service for the client.”

Both recommend stretching the skin when using hot wax, and using a small amount of pre-wax oil for best results. “If you’re waxing in hot summer weather then a little bit of talcum powder can absorb any extra moisture on the skin,” says Weller. “However, you do need that pre-wax oil to make sure the wax doesn’t stick to the skin, only to the hair. But, don’t use too much otherwise it won’t stick – just blot with a tissue to remove any excess.”

Create a supportive environment

“We have lots of pregnant clients in our salon and when it comes to pre- and post-natal care, they often ask, ‘does everything look normal?’, especially if they’ve had a traumatic labour,” says Lewis, explaining that women can feel apprehensive, so making them feel at ease is crucial to setting your business apart from others. “We have a platform as beauty therapists; it’s not just about applying wax and taking it off, it should be about nurturing too, so give your clients that added level of understanding,” she adds.

C-Sections can be more complicated. You can still ask your client to come back after eight weeks but because of scarring, you’ll need to take extra care when working around that area.

Making your salon space buggy-friendly can also be a huge help to new mums, says Lewis. “If you’re looking to specialise in pregnancy and postnatal waxing, it’s important to remember that a new mum will need to bring her baby with her. At Mooeys, we encourage this and we have a dedicated space for buggies, or if they want to bring their car seat in,” she says.

“Sometimes, during their wax, they’ll need to feed and it’s just about understanding and being comfortable, as well as having that extra level of nurturing. The client could have just had her fourth labour and be totally fine, but she might have had a traumatic experience – and her first outing could be to see you. If you can deliver that level of service, you’ll become renowned and they’ll tell all of their friends.”

It’s also important to make sure you’re positioning a pregnant client correctly, says Weller. “Don’t lie a pregnant client flat as it can restrict blood flow. It’s always ideal to raise them up at a 40-degree angle, and you could pop a bolster underneath their knees too.”

Get the communication right

Most importantly, have an open dialogue with your client on what feels comfortable for them. “When doing underneath, adapt the positioning to their mobility,” advises Lewis. “They won’t be able to move quickly, so everything takes longer. They might just need to pop their leg up a bit, pull it over to the side, hang it over the couch, or position their legs in a frog leg position.”

There are also some treatment room tweaks you can make so you’re prepared for your customer in advance. “Check the room temperature, because the body temperature of a pregnant woman shoots up, especially when they are having a wax. Make sure the wax isn’t too hot either,” adds Weller. “Ensure she can get on and off the couch easily and that she has a glass of water and even a snack close to hand. Ask her how she’s feeling too. If she isn’t feeling right then adapt your treatment to that,” she says.

“During a pregnancy wax, book out more time for your customer’s appointment,” says Zaczkowska, explaining that it may take longer to adjust your client comfortably. “Waxing in smaller patches is best so you will need more time. Make sure to always do a patch test prior to their appointment and check the skin after waxing for any irritation,” she adds.

Different protocols for different births

For your postnatal clients, there are different timeframes to follow for intimate waxing, depending on the client’s birth.

Natural birth

Zaczkowska explains that it is safe for clients to return for an intimate wax eight weeks after a natural birth, including all types of waxing, from bikini to Hollywood. “After eight weeks, people have had enough time to recover,” she says.

Caesarean section

“C-Sections can be more complicated. You can still ask your client to come back after eight weeks but because of scarring, you’ll need to take extra care when working around that area,” she advises. “Hair doesn’t grow on scars so you will never need to go over the scar. If you go around it, you will need to warn your client that they might feel an itching, needle sensation because the area can be quite numb and is still very sensitive. It can vary between clients but if they are at all worried, leave the area until their next appointment.”

Tear or episiotomy

For clients with a tear or episiotomy, Zaczkowska recommends waiting much longer. “I advise that you wait up to six months before a full Hollywood. You can do a bikini or extended bikini, but not the full Hollywood until the scar fully heals and there are no issues. Scarring can feel tight in this area and can be uncomfortable for the client,” she adds.