Have you ever wondered why you have to fill out a health form, even if ‘just doing waxing’?! When depilatory waxing is performed, the wax attaches to the skin’s surface, and a slight exfoliation takes place – meaning that a little bit of skin comes off too with the wax. This is perfectly fine in general, however there are a few conditions where waxing would have a serious resulting damage to the skin.

 If clients are using keratolytics, which are drugs that work by peeling off the top cells of the top layer of the skin. A common example is Retin-A which is a topical keratolytic, usually applied onto the skin only to a specific area. This is usually prescribed for people with acne, or as an anti-aging product. The area where the product is applied should not be waxed or even exfoliated for that matter. Removal of wax may result in severe redness, blistering, bleeding and injuries that may lead to scarring. Retin-A users can have their legs waxed though, unless they are applying the cream to their legs. Sometimes brow arching is permitted, because Retin-A should never be applied that close to the eyes. However, this needs to be verified with client – and to make sure that the drug was not used in the area for 5 days prior to the waxing, and would not be used for 5 days after the wax.
 If clients are taking systemic drugs, which are taken internally by mouth or injection. Since they travel throughout the body in the blood stream, some can affect the skin of the entire body. So, for this reason waxing cannot be performed anywhere on the body.
o Accutane is usually a drug prescribed for cystic acne. Skin is usually highly sensitive and dry. If the skin is exfoliated, which includes waxing, the skin might be pulled off. Waxing can be resumed after a year of discontinuing the drug, although still needs to be checked with client’s doctor.
o Prednisone is often used to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus. This is also a systemic steroid which can cause systemic side effects. Hence, waxing cannot be performed.
 Persons who are HIV positive frequently experience unusual skin problems, such as unusual rashes, severe seborrheic dermatitis, flat warts, flares of herpes, and shingles. These unusual skin problems is one of the reason why waxing should not be performed, together with the risk of infection due to a weakened immune system. If clients confide in the esthetician that they have AIDS or are HIV positive, risks should be confidentially discussed. Once the right precautions are taken, if waxing is to be performed, then there should be no concerns for the esthetician or next clients.
 Cancer therapy, including both chemotherapy and radiation, cause immunodeficiency. People with immunodeficiencies are more likely to experience reactions and infections. I wouldn’t risk waxing.
 Coumadin is a blood thinner, and people taking blood thinners can bleed easily. So caution must be taken, and I wouldn’t recommend waxing without physician’s consent.
 People with active cases of hepatitis (a disease that causes inflammation of the liver), should only be treated with specific written direction from physician. On the other hand, people who are hepatitis carriers (don’t have the disease, but are carriers and might infect others) may be treated as long as sanitation and sterile techniques are used.
 People with diabetes or phlebitis (an inflammation of a vein wall), should not be waxed unless clients receive physician’s consent.
 Wherever there are cuts, peeling or broken skin, open lesions (such as acne), sunburn, inflamed skin, cysts, boils, moles, growths, cold sores, and active herpes virus – waxing should not be performed. This is due to a risk of infection, risk of stimulating a mole and risk of spreading the herpes virus.
 If clients are using exfoliators such as scrubs, enzymes, AHAs, salicylic acid, and depilatory creams. Waxing can be performed, depending on the skin type and condition. In addition, clients must not have used a depilatory cream for at least 1 week or more; and with the other exfoliants, they should discontinue use 3 days prior to waxing, and may resume after 3 or 4 days depending on the skin’s condition.
 If clients are on antibiotics. Skin is usually more sensitive, and more prone to infection if the skin is broken. In addition, antibiotics alter the pH and the moisture content of the skin (skin often feels dry). While waxing, caution has to be taken. Moreover, sunscreen has to be applied on the waxed area and not exposed to sunlight, since antibiotics make the skin photosensitive (prone to pigmentation).
 If clients are on the birth control or hormone replacement. Waxing can be performed carefully, since skin would be slightly sensitive. In addition, it is important to apply sunscreen, as skin is usually more prone to pigmentation.
 People with severe sun exposure, and people using tanning beds. Waxing cannot be performed on sunburned skin – it needs to be healed from any sun lesions. And, client must not have been tanning in a tanning both within the past 24 hours.
 Stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine. Waxing can be performed, but skin tends to be more sensitive.
 Smoking. Waxing can be performed, but capillaries may be dilated making the skin more sensitive.

These are all general precautions, and each case is different. However, make sure to discuss your health issues and concerns with your esthetician who can guide you as to your individual care.

Source: Milady’s Standard: Comprehensive Training For Estheticians

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