Many therapists are often unsure of the best way to wax near the chest and stomach of a man. This can be daunting when you get a person who is as wide as your treatment table and has more hair and then a gorilla. However, once you have mastered a little bit of knowledge and plan to solve the best way to deal with hair, it is not as terrible as it was originally.

The first stage is to make sure that the customer really wants to wax the hair on the chest and abdomen. In many cases, these are the most uncomfortable areas, and many of my male waxing customers commented that it may be worse than the full Brazilian/back, sacks and cracks. If the customer has booked Up&Over waxing [back, shoulders, chest and abdomen], I will start from the back and then shape the shoulders according to the shape of the normal back and shoulder wax. Then I show the results to the client, usually you will find that this gives them the look they want. Or by cutting the hair, it does look very satisfying.

Before doing any waxing, you should check the length of the hair – if they are about 7 mm long, use your scissors to trim the hair to level 2 [6 mm]. Again, show customers how this seems to make sure they want to continue.

Before using any wax, first look at the direction of the hair growth pattern. Here's a guide to how hair grows, but always look at each customer because no two people are the same:

• Above clavical: up towards the top of the shoulder
• Below: down
• Center of the chest: down towards the navy
• Chest area: usually towards the center, facing outwards
• Bad center: toward the navy, the navy can be in two directions
• Abdominal muscles: usually towards the centerline

Start waxing with your preferred skin cleanser and apply a small amount of light oil to your skin. I usually use Perron Rigot Jasmine or Pearl Oil, but any light massage oil is suitable. I found this to give customers a more comfortable waxing experience than using talc. If too much is applied and the wax slides down, wipe the area with a strip of paper or a long strip.

Waxing begins by working down the centerline of the chest, which is typically applied downward toward the navy and upward toward the hair. However, you should always make sure to check the customer's own growth pattern – sometimes the top of the chest may grow up towards the neck.

For the first line of waxing, some people prefer to use non-peeling wax because it is easier for customers. Work down the centerline of the body and go straight. You can now start waxing the sides of the chest and abdomen. Use warm wax to start from the centerline and make sure your hair grows in the right direction.

You will find that for most male customers, hair changes the direction in which the side of the body grows downwards. It is often thinned in this area, providing a good line for a natural look.

If the customer has a complete Up&Over torso waxing make sure you wax this side area. Place the client on the side, place your arm on the head, remove it, and stretch the skin.

After waxing, use your usual post-wax lotions and products and discuss post-care with them. The chest is particularly prone to acne, especially during the first waxing. Explain this to the customer and then provide the right product.

Male Waxing Guide – Chest and Abdomen was originally published on Spring