Waxing

A person who carries out waxing must have adequate knowledge on infection control techniques and minimum hygiene standards.

Last updated: 09 August 2011

Introduction

Waxing is a method of temporary hair removal and under the Public Health (Skin Penetration) Regulation 2000 is defined as a 'skin penetration procedure'. Therefore the technician must comply with the Regulation. NSW Health has produced "Guidelines on Skin Penetration" and a "Skin Penetration Code of Best Practice".

A person who carries out waxing must have adequate knowledge on infection control techniques and minimum hygiene standards. The following recommendations are made to help achieve these standards.

Premises

• Premises where a skin penetration procedure such as ‘waxing’ are carried out must be registered with the local council. The register is to be made available for public viewing
• The premises must be kept in a clean and hygienic condition at all times
• The construction of the premises should meet with local council requirements
• The finish on all surfaces within the waxing area should be made of materials that are easily cleaned
• Adequate lighting is recommended
• Benches should be cleaned between each client and/or a clean covering placed over the treatment surface
• A hand wash basin with hot and cold running water is required. The hand wash basin should be located within the treatment area
• Soap or another hand cleaning substance is required to be at the hand wash basin
• Paper towels or other single use hand drying equipment is required to be at the hand wash basin

Personal Hygiene

• A person who carries out waxing should wash their hands before and after attending a client
• A clean gown or apron must be worn during waxing procedures
• If an operator has a cut or open wound on their hands or fingers, they must cover it with a waterproof dressing
• A new pair of disposable gloves should be put on immediately before each waxing service

Equipment

• All equipment must be cleaned between uses
• All necessary equipment should be set up just prior to proceeding with the treatment
• Single use disposable equipment such as waxing spatulas, sticks, cotton/gauze pads and strips should be used
• All single use equipment should be disposed immediately after use
• All electrical waxing equipment should be inspected regularly by a qualified electrician

Procedures

• Towels or other types of linen used for covering or protection during the procedure must be clean at the start of each treatment
• Oils, ointments, creams or wax should be dispensed using a single use applicator or, dispensed into a separate container for each client
• When waxing the eyebrows, eye pads should be used to protect the eyes
• If warm and hot waxing is used, the operator needs to test the wax on her/his wrist first
• No double dipping - a new spatula is needed for each dip of a wax pot, unless the wax pot is for use on one client only
• Wax must not be reused. Spatulas must be disposed after each use.
• Operator should wash their hands if a procedure is interrupted

After Treatment

• All equipment must be cleaned after a procedure
• Single use equipment must be disposed of after use
• All waste should be bagged appropriately and disposed daily. It is illegal for sharps or other clinical/biohazard waste to be disposed of in the general waste stream

Bikini line waxing

Waxing pubic hair has become more popular among young adults and there are different types of intimate waxing: Brazilian, Hollywood, Playboy, Las Vegas etc.

• Ask the client to shower before undertaking the procedure
• Check with client for sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections, if infections do present or in doubt, do not wax and refer the client to a general practitioner. People with underlying medical conditions may be at high risk of infection transmission

Related information and links

• NSW Health website for skin penetration industry:  http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/PublicHealth/environment/general/body_grooming.asp