Inclusivity has been coming more into focus in the beauty industry. It’s not so simple as just saying your business is inclusive though. What does it mean to have a spa and wellness business that really can accommodate everyone? With inclusive waxing, it’s important to take into account how various skin types and conditions may react to different types of waxes, as well as different hair textures, and even with these considerations in place, this is just a jumping-off point.
You Need to Start the Conversation
Truly inclusive businesses make a point of being inclusive without needing to be asked. You and your staff can do this by making sure to take the initiative in understanding client needs—ask about preferences, skin conditions and obstacles they’ve encountered previously. You can view inclusivity as another way of tailoring an experience to a client’s wishes. When you first meet a client, make sure you get their pronouns. Your booking pages can signal that your business is an inclusive waxing space by offering a “silent treatment” option for that extra proactive step, as well as pronoun options and space to leave notes about specific concerns, preferences and allergies.
Train Staff in Inclusive Practices
Inclusive practices include technical and soft skills. Your staff should be equipped to work with all skin types and tones, as well as a wide array of conditions. Staff should also be able to work with different hair textures and types. Try and look out for empathetic and compassionate staff members, as well as those who can communicate clearly and effectively, and who can politely but firmly establish boundaries. You can also add staff members' pronouns to name tags, which can be a good way of starting a conversation on client preferences and needs.
Body Positivity + Gender Affirming Services
Ensure your services are available for all body types and that staff are equipped to make any necessary accommodations. Additionally, offering gender-affirming services for individuals whose hair growth patterns may not align with their identity is a good idea. It’s also important to note that clients on testosterone may increase skin sensitivity and make skin more prone to irritation. You may need to explicitly state that you offer these on your menu or website so that clients looking for this service can be certain, and don’t unintentionally self-select out. SOS Wax in Nevada makes a point to highlight their Brazilian waxing services for men, to welcome them to a service historically marketed more to women.
This is a great jumping-off point to start making your spa more inclusive, particularly concerning gender. However, if you’re looking for more specific needs to address, your clients are your most valuable educators. Responding and tweaking your practice according to the needs you identify through client feedback can be helpful. Additionally, take a look at your local area—is there a demographic that potentially feels left out or unintentionally like your business isn’t a good fit for them? Reflecting on how you can welcome more people can open up new avenues of growth for your business.
