This document discusses contraindications to waxing and sugaring treatments. It defines a contraindication as something that prevents or restricts how a treatment can be carried out. Contraindications are divided into those that require medical referral, such as severe skin conditions like acne, diabetes, or varicose veins, and those that restrict treatment, such as cuts, sunburn, or abnormal hair growth. Each contraindication is described in detail, and the proper procedures for dealing with clients who have contraindications are outlined.

1. ©Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Contra-indications to
waxing/sugaring
NVQ Level 2 Beauty
Therapy

2. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
What is a contra-indication?
 It is something that prevents or restricts
the way in which the treatment is carried
out.
 It is important that you can recognise a
contra-indication so to prevent any
further harm to the client or yourself, and
to prevent cross-infection and secondary
infection.

3. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
The contra-indications that require
medical referral are:
 Severe skin conditions – i.e. acne vulgaris, boils,
dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis
 Diabetes
 Severe varicose veins
If the client has any of the above conditions, you must
recommend that the client seeks medical advice and
treatment before proceeding with the waxing/sugaring
treatment. It is important that you do not just send the
client home, as they need to receive treatment from their
doctor in order to prevent the condition from worsening and
to alleviate the condition. If the client is already receiving
treatment then a doctors note is required.

4. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
How to deal with a contra-indication
It is important that you do not diagnose any of these
conditions as it is unprofessional and may worry or upset
the client unnecessarily. If you suspect that the client has
a contra-indication you should:
 Inform the client that there is a possibility of a contra-
indication and explain that you can not carry out the
treatment as it may cause harm to the client.
 If the client wishes for the treatment to be carried out
they must bring you a doctors note.
 Reassure the client and offer an alternative treatment that
is not contra-indicated.
 Make a note on the record card.

5. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
The contra-indications that
restrict are:
 Sun burn or recent exposure to sun or heat
 Cuts or abrasions
 Bruising
 Warts or hairy moles
 Self tan
 Heat rash
 Abnormal hair growth
These will restrict your application and should be
avoided when proceeding with the treatment.

6. ©Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Contra-indications
That require medical
referral
Lets have a look in more
detail

7. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Boil
A red, raised, painful lump will appear around
a hair follicle and then pus will develop. It
will extend deeply into the skin and so
therefore may cause scarring once the boil
has healed.

8. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Acne vulgaris
This condition is linked to the hormones of the
body and is most common in teenage years. You
would recognise acne vulgaris by the following:
 inflamed skin
 papules and pustules
 comedones
 open pores
 seborrhoea (greasy shine)
Acne vulgaris is due to the influence of the
androgen hormone at puberty and can only be
treated once medical approval has been obtained.

9. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Dermatitis
An inflammatory skin disorder in which the
skin becomes red, swollen and itchy with the
possibility of blisters and pus, it is usually
localised. Dermatitis occurs due to the
action of a substance on the skin resulting in
irritation. If this was present in the area
you would not be able to treat the client.
If they are not already receiving treatment
recommend that they seek GP advice.

10. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Eczema
Common symptoms are reddening of the skin
with swelling, dryness, itching, cracks and
blisters. Quite often the skin leaks a fluid
which in turn forms scabs. Eczema is more
likely to occur in the finger, elbow and knee
joints, although can be found all over the
body. The cause may be an internal or
external irritant or may be genetic.

11. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Psoriasis
Red patches of skin appear with scale like
waxy cells covering the area. Bleeding will
occur if the area is scratched, removing the
scales and then secondary infection may
occur. No real cause is known, although it is
thought to be hereditary or stress related.

12. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Diabetes
You will not be able to tell by looking at the
client if they are diabetic, they will have to
inform you during the consultation. If a
client is diabetic they have a reduced healing
rate, waxing can therefore cause
unnecessary trauma and bruising to the area.
For this reason, seek GP referral before you
proceed with the treatment.

13. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Varicose veins
Varicose veins appear as blue/purple swollen,
knotted and enlarged veins on the legs. The
treatment may cause discomfort or even
damage to the veins and for this reason a
doctors note must be obtained before the
client can have their legs waxed.

14. ©Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Contra-indications
That restrict the
treatment
Lets have a look in more
detail

15. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Sunburn or recent sun/heat exposure
The skin would appear red and warm to the
touch. If there is severe sunburn present
then blisters or peeling may develop. You
cannot wax over the area.

16. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Cuts or abrasions
The skin would be broken or grazed with
dried blood present. You must cover the
area with a plaster if it is still bleeding
slightly, otherwise with petroleum jelly and
work around the area. Remember to follow
strict hygienic practices and wear your
protective gloves.

17. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Bruising
The skin would be a different colour from
the rest of the area, a purple/red colour.
If the bruise can be worked around, then
apply petroleum jelly and continue with the
treatment, avoiding the bruise.

18. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Warts
A raised growth on the skin that usually has
a rough surface and is grey/yellow in colour.
They are contagious and so must be covered
over with a plaster and totally avoided
during treatment.

19. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Hairy moles
A raised lump on the skin that is usually
brown/black or skin coloured. They will have
hairs growing from them, which can be
trimmed with scissors but must not be
waxed. This is because the treatment may
stimulate cancerous cells to grow. Firstly
check the mole for any irregularities and if
non are present apply petroleum jelly and
work around the area.

20. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Self tan
This will appear as orange/brown coloured
skin that may be patchy or streaky in places.
Due to the fact that waxing removes dead
skin cells, some of the self tan will also be
removed. If the client does not want their
tan removing then the area should be
avoided or the client may choose to come
back at a later date.

21. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Heat rash
This will appear as any area of redness with
small red lumps. The area should be avoided
as the heat from the waxing treatment will
irritate the rash further.

22. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Abnormal hair growth
If on consultation you notice that the client
has an excessive amount of hair growth on a
facial area it may be due to a hormonal
imbalance or a condition of the body. It may
be in the clients best interest to check with
their GP as to the cause, as it may be able to
be treated with medication rather than
waxing.

23. ©Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Let’s test your knowledge of the
contra-indications to waxing.

24. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
What is the following contra-
indication?
Sunburn

25. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Contra-indication
Define contra-
indication.
A condition is
something that
prevents or restricts
the treatment from
being carried out.

26. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
What is the following contra-indication and what
procedure would you follow?
Mole – contra-indication
that restricts
treatment. The
therapist should apply
petroleum jelly and
work around the area.

27. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Diabetes
How would you
recognise diabetes
and why can we not
treat?
The client would have to
inform you at
consultation stage.
Because of the reduced
healing rate there is
increased possibility of
causing spot bleeding or
internal bleeding –
doctors note is required.

28. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
What is the contra-indication and
why can we not treat?
Varicose veins – would
be uncomfortable and
pressure could cause
the walls to burst or a
blood clot to move.

29. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
What is this contra-indication
called?
Psoriasis

30. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
What is the following
contra-indication?
Boil

31. Clare Hargreaves-
Norris
Warts
How would you
recognise a wart?
Rough uneven small
lump that is normally
yellow/grey in colour.