Am I a Candidate for Waxing or Sugaring?
Waxing & Sugaring Eligibility Guide
Your safety and skin health are our top priorities. While waxing and sugaring are safe for most individuals, certain medications, skin conditions, medical treatments, and recent procedures may require us to modify your service or postpone treatment. This guide will help you understand common contraindications and determine whether waxing or sugaring is appropriate for you.
If you’re unsure, don’t worry—we’re happy to help.
Quicklinks
1. Recent Skincare Treatments
2. Skin Conditions
3. Medications
4. FAQ
Most People Are Great Candidates
The good news is that most people can safely enjoy waxing or sugaring.
Sometimes we simply need to:
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Modify the service
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Avoid a specific area
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Wait for the skin to heal
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Choose sugaring instead of waxing
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Recommend a different treatment
You May Need to Wait Before Waxing If…
Recent Skincare Treatments
Waxing may need to be postponed if you’ve recently had:
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Chemical peels
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Laser treatments
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Microneedling
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Dermaplaning
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Cosmetic facial treatments
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Microdermabrasion
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Recent facial surgery
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Exfoliants (including but not limited to Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acids, etc.)
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Manual Exfoliation Treatments (including but not limited to dermabrasion, micro-dermabrasion, salt scrubs, dermaplaning etc.)
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Cancer Therapies
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Use of Tanning Beds
The amount of time you’ll need to wait depends on the treatment performed and your skin’s healing.
Skin Conditions
We may postpone treatment if you have:
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Sunburn
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Open cuts, wounds, lesions, or sores
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Active rash
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Active eczema flare
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Psoriasis flare
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Skin infection
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Active cold sores (facial waxing)
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Unexplained skin irritation
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AIDS/HIV
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Hepatitis
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Varicose Veins
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Immune Disorders
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Psoriasis
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Herpes (HSV I or II) (cold sores / fever blisters)
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Cancer
Healthy skin heals best.
Certain Medications
Some medications can make the skin thinner or more sensitive, increasing the risk of irritation or skin lifting.
Examples may include:
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Prescription retinoids
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Oral acne medications (such as Accutane)
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Topical retinoids
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Certain antibiotics
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Steroids
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Blood thinners (consult your physician if appropriate)
Always let us know about any medications you’re taking before your appointment as they can contribute to skin lifting.
That includes the following medications, but not limited to:
Isotretinoin
Zenatane
Absorica
Claravis
Accutane
Roaccutane
Adapalene
Differin
Proactiv MD
Adapalene
Epiduo
Tactupump
Adaferin
Tazarotene
Tazorac
Avage
Zorac
Fabior
Tretinoin
Retin-A
Renova
Avita
Atralin
Hydroquinone producs
Alustra
Eldoquin
Epiquin Micro
Lustra
Melanex
Antibiotics
Clindamycin
Minocycline
Doxycycline
Erythromycin
Nadifloxacin
Metronidazole
Tetracycline
Retinols
Can I Get Waxed While Pregnant?
In many cases, yes.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the skin more sensitive, so you may experience increased discomfort during your appointment.
If you’re pregnant, please let us know so we can make any necessary adjustments to keep you comfortable.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, please let us know before your appointment.
Depending on your health history and skin condition, modifications or physician clearance may occasionally be recommended.
Recent Sun Exposure
Avoid waxing skin that has:
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Sunburn
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Peeling
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Recent tanning
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Fresh spray tan (depending on the area)
Healthy, intact skin is important for safe hair removal.
Before Your Appointment
For the best results:
✓ Hair should be approximately ¼ inch long (about the size of a grain of rice).
✓ Avoid heavy lotions or oils on the treatment area.
✓ Gently exfoliate 24–48 hours before your appointment (unless otherwise instructed).
✓ Stay hydrated.
What Happens If I’m Not a Candidate Today?
Being temporarily ineligible doesn’t mean you can never receive waxing or sugaring services.
Sometimes your skin simply needs more time to heal.
If treatment isn’t appropriate today, we’ll explain why, answer your questions, and recommend when it’s safe to reschedule or whether another service may be a better option.
Our goal is always to protect your skin—not just complete an appointment.