Back Waxing

Back waxing covers the full back and shoulders — an area that's impossible to shave properly yourself, which is exactly why waxing makes the most sense here.

It's a large area with coarse hair, so allow a proper 45 minutes. Working from the shoulders down, your therapist handles it in sections, and the whole back is done in one appointment.

A useful side benefit: a hair-free back is much easier to keep clear of congestion, since sweat and product residue have less to cling to.

Please tell us about any medication before your appointment — retinoids, prescription acne treatments such as isotretinoin, and some antibiotics make skin fragile and waxing unsafe. The same applies to recent laser treatments, peels or sunburn on the area.

• Consultation and check for contraindications
• Skin cleansed and prepared
• Wax applied and removed across the full back and shoulders
• Stray hairs tweezed for a clean finish
• Soothing product applied
• Aftercare advice

Allow about 45 minutes. You lie face down, comfortably covered, while your therapist cleanses the skin and works down the back in sections.

Coarse hair on a large area means it stings, particularly across the shoulders and lower back. Strays are tweezed and soothing product applied. Redness and bumps are normal for several hours.

Anyone with back hair — this is the area shaving genuinely can't handle. Not suitable on broken or congested skin with active breakouts, or with prescription acne medication. Tell your therapist about moles or skin tags.

For the first 24 to 48 hours avoid heat and friction: no hot baths or showers, no sauna or steam room, no gym or swimming, and no direct sun or sunbeds. Wear loose cotton clothing and keep the area clean and untouched — freshly waxed skin has open follicles and is easy to irritate.

From 48 hours, exfoliate gently two or three times a week. This is the most effective way to prevent ingrown hairs. Moisturise daily.

• Let hair grow to about a quarter of an inch — roughly two weeks
• Don't shave between appointments; it disrupts the growth cycle
• Exfoliate gently from 48 hours afterwards to prevent ingrown hairs
• Avoid heat, sweat and sun for 24 to 48 hours
• Wear loose cotton clothing to your appointment
• Book every three to four weeks to keep hair on the same cycle
• The first wax is the sharpest; it gets easier with regular appointments
• Take a painkiller an hour before if you're sensitive
• Wear a loose cotton top afterwards, not a synthetic one
• Consider a back facial too if you get congestion there