The Waxing Facial

The Waxing Facial

I have been doing waxing facials throughout my career. Most Aestheticians that I speak to have never heard of this concept. I would like to share this concept with you. This type of facial is for the Aesthetician who understands the skin and waxing procedures, and not afraid to combine them. If you break down a facial, waxing is done in laue of the exfoliation stage. Waxing exfoliates the skin naturally. Think of this facial as a cool facial, DO NOT USE STEAM OR HOT TOWELS!!! This facial does not include a massage as well. This facial can be done using strip or stripless wax. I personally prefer stripless or hot wax for the face. The hot wax doesn’t adhere to the delicate facial skin because of a protective barrier by using an oil. The wax only adheres to the hair only. With stripless or hot wax, you also can go over the treated area more than once, this helps to make sure you get every hair. This is why I prefer stripless or hot wax for Brazilians as well.

The Waxing Facial Protocol

Cleanse- Use a cleanser that is strictly for the clients skin type

Tone- Prepare the skin for wax. Many wax manufactures provide a pre-cleanser or toner.

Oil- Thinly and sparingly apply a prewaxing oil. If you utilize a strip wax, then apply powder. I personally don’t care for Johnson and Johnson’s because it has fragrance in it.

Wax- I use ONLY Stripless/Hot Wax

Start with Chin and move clockwise. It is as if you are plowing a field. By using Stripless wax you can slightly overlap your areas. This makes sure you do not miss any hairs. I like to finish with the brows.

Post waxing solution if wax residue is left behind.

Mask- Aloe/CoolingSoothing Mask allows the skin to calm down.

High Frequency- I use the mushroom bulb through the mask. High Frequency kills all bacteria.

Remove the mask with a cool towel.

Vitamin C- Anti Inflammatory

SPF- this is a must. Any exfoliation procedure elivated photo sensitivity

Contraindications

As skin therapist, we understand the basics in dealing with contraindications with waxing, however the facial skin is different. If the client is having exfoliation treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels or even enzymes,  the skin has been compromised. The ability of removing skin is greatly increased. Prescription creams can cause trouble as well. Please stay abreast on common prescriptions that doctors give their patients, they may just be on your table. Make sure your intake form has been studied before any waxing is provided. As a cautionary time line, I prefer 1 month out of the use of ANY Alpha or Beta Hydroxy’s such as Glycolic’s, Salicylic, Lactic or Mandelic home care products or treatments. If the client is taking antibiotics or are on a course of medical skin treatment(s) such as Accutane, Retinol, Retin-A, or Renova, hold off on waxing until you have finished the medication and the chemicals are out of their system. These medications should be listed on your intake form for your clients and patients to indicate. Having a “clean” skin palette is the key to prepping their face for waxing, and has as much to do with what’s not present — as well as what is. Make sure the face is free of any injured areas which includes minor cuts, irritated pimples, or a sunburn. If your client is pregnant, they are more likely to be sensitive to waxing, and diabetics typically take longer to heal after a wax.

On the menu…

When I have listed “Waxing Facial” on my spa menu, this sparks peoples interest. This is why your spa menu is another avenue of advertisement and not just a list of treatments and prices. This tells your clients that you are prolific with facial waxing. I like to have The Waxing Facial on the menu booked out for 1 hour. This time allots you to be thorough. As you work with your clients and become comfortable then you can do the Waxing Facial for 30 minutes. Your pricing should be comperable to a basic 60 min and 30 min facial, minus $20 (for example, if your 60 minute European Facial is $85, then your Waxing Facial should be $65). Waxing is one of the most rewarding treatments we can do in our rooms because you give them immediate results and has the highest loyalty rate. When a clients mind is sparked with the possibilities of a hairless face, they book. —

If you are interested in having the Waxing Facial with me, I am at Essentials Spa in Wesley Chapel on Fridays and Sat’s! http://www.myessentialsspa.com/

The Cell Cycle

A Journey lasting 4 to 6 weeks…

Aging is a part of life, if we could stop the process, we would all be millionaires. The cell renewal rate slows down when we age. This is because there is less blood circulation, less oxygen is delivered to skin cells, so they are not replaced as quickly.

Cell turnover rate slows down so new cells take longer to reach the surface. This leads to a buildup of dull, devitalized, dead surface cells and rough skin texture. When this build up occurs, skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles, pore size enlargement are more prevalent.

As a skin therapist, it is crucial to explain how the cell cycle works in order for your clients to understand what exfoliation treatments will be chosen and why they will need more than just one to do the trick.  I like to think of weekly treatments as if you are chiseling, little by little at the skin by way of a controlled trauma (exfoliation treatments such as peels, microdermabrasion and enzymes), until you get your clients skin through a full cell cycle. It is as if your clients face is a block of marble… and little by little you are carving out their beautiful skin. metaphorically you are using a small pick ax instead of a one shot treatment as using a chainsaw. I explain that if they want faster results, then they will have longer down time. By treating their skin on a weekly basis and getting them through a full cell cycle, the need for down time and possible adverse effects are minimized. I understand that working with a clients skin on a weekly basis is very involved however, this is the optimal avenue in which to treat them.

The Epidermal Layer

The epidermis is composed of the outermost layers of cells in the skin “epi” in Greek meaning “over” or “upon”, which together with the dermis forms the cutis. The epidermis is the skin’s outer structure  serving a protective function however, the part we can see, the horny layer (horny is referred to the look of the skin under a microscope. The microscopic ‘tags’ the skin cells have allows for natural, daily exfoliation) is   the only a minute part of this stratified  squamous layer.

It is the ultimate result of the keratinisation process  and marks the final stage of a 4 to 6 week journey made by the  keratinocytes. Human skin is continually being renewed. The desquamation of cells on the skin’s surface should  naturally be compensated for by renewal of the epidermis, a process that is responsible by the keratinocytes (85% of the cells in the epidermis). These possess two  properties which successively come into action – the ability to actively divide  and the ability to differentiate.

The epidermis contains 5 layers. The upper or outer layer of the two main layers of cells that make up the skin. The epidermis is mostly made  up of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells. Under the squamous cells are round cells called basal cells. The deepest part  of the epidermis also contains melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, which gives the skin its color. From bottom to top the layers are named stratum basal, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum licidum, and stratum corneum. The bottom layer, the stratum basal, has cells that are shaped like columns. In this layer the cells divide and push already formed cells into higher layers. As the cells move into the higher layers, they flatten and eventually die. The top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is made of dead, flat skin cells that shed about every 2 weeks.This layer, the most superficial of the epidermis, is  in direct contact with the external environment and therefore plays a vital role  as a barrier against all sorts of aggression. It also regulates the amount of water released from the body into the atmosphere through transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

The Cell Cycle Treatment

The thickness of the epidermis varies in different types of skin. It is thinnest on the eyelids at .05 mm and thickest on the palms and soles at 1.5 mm. The epidermal layer is the layer that we Aestheticians exfoliate and treat on a weekly basis.

The first treatment of exfoliation is day 1. The Basal cell layer (the nursery as I like to call it) starts kicking out new cells. These new cells replace the old cells. This takes 28-40 days for the new cells to reach the surface of the skin. I want to give my client an exfoliation treatment once a week for 6 weeks. By their 4th treatment the Basal layer gets very stimulated and gets fatigued. The Basal layer calls for backup, thus collagen and elastin are synthesized. As a therapist, I like to explain that I want to get their skin through a full cell cycle in order to reach optimal results. This speeds up the cellular turnover, thus results are achieved.

Cell Cycle Graph

Treatment 1/Week 1- Day 1 of a cell cycle

Treatment 2/ Week 2- Day 7 of a cell cycle

Treatment 3/Week 3- Day 14 of a cell cycle

Treatment 4 /Week 4- Day 21 of a cell cycle

Treatment 5/Week 5-  Day 28 of a cell cycle

Treatment 6/Week 6- Day 35 of a cell cycle
The cell cycle time of basal keratinocytes 3 days after abrasion is drastically reduced to about 11 hrs. This is compared to 5 to 7 days in the normal epidermis. The cell cycle time gradually increased to 14 hr at 5 days. It is sped up to 1 to 2 days at 7 days, and 4 to 5 days at 14 days after abrasion. This dramatically changes the skin, minimizes the skin conditions and the skin has been renewed.

I understand that some exfoliation treatments can be extremely strong and may need more recovery time. Jessners, TCA’s and other stronger peels that purposely sheet or shed the skin needs more time to heal. These peels can be used on a 10-14 days rest period. In other words, with these stronger peels, you will have to double your time and get them through 2 full cell cycles. This takes longer and has more opportunities for adverse effects. Just take precaution and work within your comfort level. Being a result orientated therapist with advanced skills, personally like to use a Jessner on the 6th treatments with a client that is having consecutive peels. I call it the “crescendo” of their treatment. If you think of it, after they have had their 5 consecutive/weekly treatments, the skin is prepped and ready for such a Peel. As I have said before, do this only if you are confortable with it.

The Base Line

After you work with your clients on a weekly bases by getting them through a full cell cycle, other treatments can be utilized. I call this stage in their course of treatment (and you know you will always want to see them for maintenance and further treatments) “The Base Line”. “The Base Line” means you have gotten their skin through a full cell cycle and their skin is functioning at its optimal level of cellular turnover. I want to take advantage of the skin in their stage because of increased function. Oxygen treatments, LED, Ultrasound, micro current and other skin care treatments can be more affective due to getting their skins cell cycle up to speed, mind the pun.

After you work with your clients on a weekly basis by getting them through a full cell cycle, other treatments can be utilized. Oxygen treatments, LED, Ultrasound, microcurrent and other skin care treatments can be more affective due to getting their skins cell cycle up to speed, mind the pun.

Keep your eyes open for this article in Febuary 2013 issue of  Les Nouvelles Esthetique and Spa magazine. Or visit www.lneONLINE.com