Hair removal technician

Hair removal technicians provide cosmetic services to their clients by removing unwanted hair on various body parts. They can use different techniques for temporary hair removal, such as epilation and depilation techniques, or permanent hair removal methods, such as electrolysis or intense pulsed light.

The following job titles also refer to hair removal technician:

depilation specialist
hair removal specialist
wax depilation specialist
beauty treatment specialist
body waxing technician
electrolysis technician
laser hair removal specialist
laser hair removal technician
epilation specialist

A high school diploma or equivalent is generally required to work as a hair removal technician.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Hair removal technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to hair removal technician.

manicurist
aesthetician
pedicurist
tanning consultant
hairdresser

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of hair removal technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of hair removal technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

body artist
massage therapist
life coach
cosmetics and perfume shop manager
beauty salon manager

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of hair removal technician.

• Cosmetics: The various types of substances used to enhance the appearance of the human body.
• Hair removal techniques: The various methods used for removing unwanted hair either by depilation, including shaving and trimming, or by epilation, such as waxing, sugaring, lasering, plucking etc.
• Hair: Human hair, its composition and interaction with various chemicals, environment factors and health issues.
• Cosmetics industry: Suppliers, products and brands in the cosmetic industry.
• Skin types: The different skin types, such as dry, normal, oily, and sensitive.

These skills are necessary for the role of hair removal technician.

• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
• Maintain customer service: Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
• Advise customers on usage of cosmetics: Provide advice to customers on how to apply various cosmetic products such as lotions, powders, nail polish or creams.
• Conform to cosmetics regulatory requirements: Ensure conformance to regulatory requirements applied in personal care products such as cosmetics, fragrances and toiletry.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of hair removal technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Style hair: Style a person’s hair using the appropriate techniques and products.
• Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
• Wax body parts: Remove hair by spreading wax on the skin and afterwards removing it either without a strip when it is hardened, this is called strip-less waxing, or by firmly pressing a strip on the wax and then rip it against the direction of the hair growth, which is called strip or soft waxing.
• Manage a small-to-medium business: Manage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.
• Use intense pulsed light technology: Make use of intense pulsed light technology to permanently remove hair, treat dermatological diseases or perform photorejuvenation.
• Offer cosmetic beauty advice: Provide customers with advice and beauty tips for creating a new look.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Dispose waste: Dispose waste in accordance with legislation, thereby respecting environmental and company responsibilities.
• Sell cosmetics: Sell a variety of cosmetic products such as lotions, soaps, lip sticks, hair removers, perfumes, tooth pastes, face masks, nail polisher and deodorants.
• Use threading techniques: Remove hair by rolling a thin doubled cotton or polyester thread over areas of unwanted hair and plucking the hair at the follicle level.
• Pluck hair: Use tweezers or electric devices to remove hair by mechanically grasping them and pulling them out of the roots.
• Use hair removal lasers: Use lasers that remove hair by exposing the hair to pulses of laser light that destroy hair follicles.
• Maintain professional administration: File and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.
• Administer appointments: Accept, schedule and cancel appointments.
• Recommend cosmetics to customers: Recommend and provide advice on cosmetic products based on the customer’s personal preferences and needs and on the different product types and brands available.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Perform electrolysis: Use electrolysis technology to permanently remove hair, by applying electrical charges to individual hairs at the follicle.
• Process payments: Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
• Treat facial hair: Shape, trim or shave beards and moustaches, using scissors and razors.
• Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.

5142 – Beauticians and related workers

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References

1. Hair removal technician – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by Orhun Rüzgar ÖZ