What Estheticians Wish Spa Owners Knew Before Setting Up a Wax Room

Wax Types: Choose What Fits Your Services

There’s no one-size-fits-all wax. The two most common types are:

• Hard Wax: Best for sensitive areas (Brazilians, bikini, face, underarms). It shrink-wraps around the hair, not the skin.
• Soft Wax (aka strip wax): Great for larger areas like legs and backs. It’s applied thinly and removed with strips.

Start with one or both depending on your menu. If your estheticians are experienced with both, offer clients the right option for their skin and hair type. If not, hard wax is often gentler and easier to learn with.

Pro tip: Offer hypoallergenic or low-temp wax for sensitive clients. These can reduce redness and client callbacks.

Wax Warmers: Why Consistency Matters

Inconsistent wax temperature is one of the top reasons for poor results—or worse, burns. A solid warmer:

• Holds a steady temp all day
• Has individual pots if you’re using more than one type of wax
• Is easy to clean (look for non-stick interiors)

Avoid using microwaves to heat wax. It’s inconsistent, risky, and doesn’t meet professional standards.

Pre- and Post-Wax Essentials

These are not just “nice to have”—they’re key to skin safety and client comfort.

Before waxing:

• Cleanser to remove makeup, oil, and bacteria
• Pre-wax oil or powder (especially for hard wax) to prep the skin

After waxing:

• Soothing gel or lotion to calm the skin
• Post-wax oil to remove wax residue

Extra tip: Use a post-wax product with ingrown-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or lactic acid to support skin recovery.

Tools You Don’t Want to Skip

Here’s what every waxing room needs stocked:

• Applicators: Various sizes of wooden sticks or spatulas (never double-dip!)
• Strips (for soft wax)
• Tweezers for post-wax clean-up
• Disposable gloves
• Waste bin with lid
• Barrier paper or disposable bed covers

Pro move: Have a mirror available in the room so clients can inspect results in private after intimate services. It shows respect and builds trust.

Furniture & Setup Tips

Your room doesn’t need to be fancy, but it does need to be functional and hygienic.

Essentials include:

• Adjustable treatment bed that allows good ergonomics for your staff
• Rolling stool for the esthetician
• Tray or trolley to keep tools organized and within reach
• Good lighting, especially for facial and intimate waxing

Small upgrade, big payoff: Add a wax mat under the warmer to catch spills and protect surfaces.

Optional Upgrades That Make a Difference

These aren’t required, but they can improve both workflow and the client experience.

• Skin analysis lamp: Useful if you're combining waxing with skin services

• Heated towel cabinet: Warm towels post-wax feel luxe and help clean any remaining wax

• Retail display: Offer post-wax care products clients can take home, like exfoliators or ingrown-hair serums

Smart idea: Create a waxing aftercare card with dos and don’ts. It’s a small touch that helps reduce complaints and builds client loyalty.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need an esthetics license to make informed decisions about choosing the right products for waxing services. Focus on safety, client comfort, and efficiency, and build from there. Start with the basics and slowly add extras that fit your business.

If you're ever unsure, ask your estheticians what tools or products they trust most. That one question can go a long way.

Universal Companies is proud to have a team of experienced spa advisors on staff and welcomes you to consult with our professionals about spa products and supplies, including ingredients, equipment, and retail. Dedicated to the success of spa professionals everywhere, we're grateful to be recognized with multiple industry awards (thank you!) and proud to support the spa industry through mentorship and sponsorship.