As warmer weather approaches, bare skin becomes de rigueur. While some clients head straight to the spa to get rid of any visible (and not-so visible) hair on their body, others are choosing to sport an au naturel look. The truth is that no two hair-removal clients are the same, and while in the past, trends have often dominated the body-hair requests of clients, most people today seem to be all over the spectrum when it comes to what they want.
“Women and men are not feeling pressure from models, magazines, or social media to conform to a trend,” says Cali VanAelst, national training director at Cirépil. “People today are feeling free to choose what is best for them.” This “you do you” mentality doesn’t necessarily mean a drop in clients; it means that spas need to adapt to accommodate this variety of needs and desires. In fact, hair-removal services seem to be more profitable than ever.
“The hair-removal industry is expected to take in revenue from 2017 to 2022 of up to $1.35 billion,” says Lydia Sarfati, founder and CEO of Repêchage. “The popularity of hair removal isn’t just for women. One UK study found that in 2018, as many as 46 percent of all men removed hair from their bodies, up from just over one third in 2016.”
The thing with face and body hair is that it comes back, and that’s good news for spas, as an enjoyable and satisfying experience and result will likely encourage clients to come back, as well. We asked some waxing experts how spas can use this to their benefit, and here’s how they responded:
Why is waxing a smart hair-removal service to add to your spa’s menu?
“Waxing provides a high-margin business that is an easy add-on to other services, such as offering an eyebrow wax after a pedicure or a bikini wax after a facial. It doesn’t require a huge amount of upfront investment by the spa in order to offer the service. Waxing also offers an easy way for spas to differentiate themselves by using quality products and providing a comfortable experience for their clients. The growth potential for spas offering waxing is large, as loyal clients come back for more areas to be waxed, and they spread the word to their network, which brings in new clients. Waxing also creates a loyal customer, as the hair returns every four-to-six weeks.”—Lindsay Miller, president, Lycon Wax USA
What are some ways that spas can help hair-removal clients relax before a waxing service?
“Waxing is a skin treatment. Every wax artist needs to manage their clients’ wax experience like a traditional facial: cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, and soothe. Explain to clients why you are doing what you are doing through the entire process of the treatment. This helps educate the client on your value as a professional and differentiates you from the competition.”—Louis Belmonte, owner, Bombshell Wax
What are some of the top ingredients used in wax and post-waxing products?
“The newest waxes incorporate beneficial ingredients, such as sustainably harvested seaweed extracts that contain essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, trace elements, and antioxidants. Look for ones that also incorporate safflower oil, soothing aloe vera, and absorbent and astringent minerals such as titanium and zinc oxide. These ingredients help to create smoother, softer skin while minimizing the appearance of redness and irritation. Ingredients like green, rooibos, and white teas; hyaluronic acid; and extracts from aloe and cucumber help hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of redness post-wax.”—Lydia Sarfati, founder and CEO, Repêchage
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