Ouch! 5 Warning Signs That Say You’re About To Have a Bad Wax

Booking yourself in for a hair removal appointment ahead of swimsuit season? If you are headed to the waxing parlour, make sure to keep an eye out for these red flags.

Bikini season is coming, so if you’re headed somewhere warm and sunny soon, you may be considering a little extra grooming here and there. Whether you’re getting a pit wax, a full leg wax, a Brazilian, or all of the above, we’ve got you covered on the hot spots in town for the best experience possible.

READ: Where to care for your V in KL—from Brazilians to laser to aftercare and more

Of course, not every waxing salon is up to standard, so if you find yourself at an unfamiliar spot and you’re not sure whether you can trust it, fret not—we’ve got you covered. We’ve taken the liberty of rounding up some no-nos that you should be mindful of. From bad etiquette to zero privacy, look out for these red flags at your next appointment (PSST: and if you spot any of them, RUN!):

Red flag #1: A dirty space

Put simply, if the salon’s space is not clean, this indicates two things: one, that there are likely to be more hygiene issues hidden away from you; and two, that the attention to detail is simply not there. Our best advice is to leave immediately—don’t leave your health up to chance. 

Red flag #2: No consultation

While it doesn’t have to be a formal sit-down conversation, a consultation is necessary with any intimate cosmetic procedure like waxing or laser. You should at least be filling out a form with your details, including any potential allergies or medical conditions. A thorough consultation can help your therapist design the best route for your treatment, helping them drastically reduce the risk of any adverse reactions or pain for you.

Red flag #3: No gloves

So, maybe the salon looks clean and you did a consultation. Now, you’ve found yourself lying on the treatment bed and the wax is about to start. There’s just one issue: there are no gloves in sight. In fact, you’re not even sure if your therapist washed their hands. At this point, you should be pulling your clothes back on and bolting—there’s no way you should be letting someone touch your pits or privates without the proper protection!

 

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Red flag #4: Double dipping

This is the mother of all dealbreakers when it comes to waxing. If you see your therapist double-dipping a used spatula back into the wax pot, that’s an immediate no. Why? Well, frankly, double-dipping wax is gross and unhygienic. Think about it this way—if they’re double-dipping on you, think about how many other people’s germs are in that pot… ick!

On that same note, if there are any single-use items that are being reused, that’s another red flag you definitely shouldn’t ignore. Always check on their sterilisation practices before booking your appointment!

Red Flag #5: No aftercare advice

At this point, the damage has been done, so it’s a bit late to walk out on your appointment. That said, aftercare advice is crucial. Your therapist should at least be providing the bare minimum advice (i.e. don’t get sweaty, don’t wear tight clothes, and don’t subject the area to excessive friction for at least 24 hours). Our best tip? Ask for aftercare advice before your session starts—that way you’ve got a fighting chance!

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