Waxing consent form: what to ask before the wax, and what to send home after
Waxing is quick, routine and done dozens of times a week, which is exactly why the consent form gets neglected. Yet skin lifting on treated skin, one of the things a client remembers longest, is exactly what a two-minute form is there to screen for.
This exact form is built into SlickChart: send it to your client's phone to sign before the visit.
For the software side of a waxing business, see waxing software for a one-person studio. This post is about the form itself and the aftercare.
Let the client check the areas
My waxing consent starts with a checklist of areas: brows, lip or chin, underarm, arms, legs, bikini, Brazilian, other. The signature line then refers back to it, so the client consents to waxing of the areas checked, today and at future visits.
It removes any doubt about what was agreed, and gives an add-on a clear place to be recorded.
Describe the wax, the sting and the timeline
The "about waxing" section explains that warm wax lifts hair from the root, with hard wax for delicate areas and soft wax with strips for larger ones. What they will feel: warmth, then a quick sting as each strip comes off, which usually gets easier with regular visits. What to expect: redness or small bumps for a few hours to a day, smooth for about 3 to 6 weeks, and hair about 1/4 inch long works best.
Other options belong here too: shaving, trimming, sugaring, threading, or laser or electrolysis from a qualified provider.
Risks: be specific about lifting
My risk list covers redness, swelling, small bumps or pinpoint bleeding; skin lifting or tearing, mostly with thin or treated skin; ingrown hairs or infected follicles; burns, which are rare when wax is tested; bruising, or darker patches in deeper skin tones; and a cold sore flare after lip waxing, or an allergic reaction.
"Mostly with thin or treated skin" is the phrase that makes the contraindication list make sense to the client.
Contraindications that matter in the wax room
My checklist asks about:
- Accutane (isotretinoin) in the past 6 months
- A retinoid on the area in the past 7 days
- Acids, scrubs or a peel there in the past 3 days
- Antibiotics or steroids right now
- Laser or microneedling there in the past 2 weeks
- A sunburn, rash, cut or cold sore on the area now
- Blood thinners or a bleeding disorder
- Diabetes or poor circulation
- Varicose veins, moles or skin tags in the area
- Pregnancy, or an allergy to rosin, pine or latex
Notice how many items name "the area": the question is what has touched the skin you are about to wax. My form also asks clients to mention new skin products, because a new serum is how a regular brow client ends up with treated skin you were not expecting. The checklist is for screening only, never for diagnosing.
Dignity for intimate waxing
Two lines exist purely for intimate services. The first:
For intimate waxing, I know what will be uncovered and that I can ask to pause or stop at any time.
The second is in the photo section: intimate areas are never photographed, and the only options are brow or face photos for the chart, social with face hidden, or no photos. Putting both in writing tells a first-time Brazilian client what the visit will be like before they arrive.
Aftercare: heat, friction and ingrowns
Freshly waxed follicles are open and easily irritated for a day or two. My aftercare follows that:
- Today: redness and small bumps are normal, and tiny dots of blood can happen. Loose cotton, a cool compress if it feels warm. No hot showers or baths, sauna, workouts, sex, tanning or scented products.
- Days 1 and 2: lukewarm water, gentle fragrance-free soap, light moisturiser. No heat, friction or tight clothing for 24 to 48 hours, no pools or beach, and no deodorant on fresh underarms.
- Day 3 on: gently exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week and moisturise daily to help prevent ingrown hairs. No picking or digging.
- Weeks 3 to 6: let it grow to about 1/4 inch and rebook on schedule. Shaving or tweezing between visits resets growth.
Explain ingrown hairs too: they curl back into the skin instead of growing out, and if one gets red, sore or full of pus, the client should not dig at it but let you take a look. The "call me" list covers pus-filled bumps or spreading redness, a blister or lifted skin, a painful lump or fever, a cold sore after lip waxing, and any sign of allergic reaction. Trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat means calling 911.
Questions to decide for your own practice
- Does one consent cover all areas, or do intimate services get their own?
- What is your rule for a retinoid on the area: skip that area, or reschedule?
- What does your state board require for intimate waxing and consent? Rules and scope of practice vary by state, so check with yours. This is not legal or medical advice.
Use this form with your clients
SlickChart has this exact waxing consent and aftercare built in for esthetician subscribers. Clients sign on their phone before the visit, or on your device in the room, and any contraindication they check is flagged for you. The aftercare goes to the client's own app, styled with your logo, and it works alongside the Square account you already have. If that fits how you work, try SlickChart.
Prefer paper? The printable waxing set, with the consent form, protocol and aftercare, is in my Etsy shop, ready to print or edit in free Canva.