Kamilla Yessengeldiyeva: “For Home Waxing, Start With a Small, Easy-to-Reach Area to See How Your Skin Responds.”

Home waxing can save time and money, but mistakes can cause burns and skin irritation. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against waxing sunburned or highly sensitive skin and recommends extra caution with delicate areas. So how can you make at-home hair removal safer?

To learn how to make hair removal at home safer and more comfortable, we turned to Yessengeldiyeva Kamilla Kairatkyzy, a waxing and sugaring specialist with more than five years of experience. Her professional practice includes adapting waxing techniques to individual skin needs and selecting appropriate aftercare. She has worked with international clients, both women and men, and gained professional experience at the international salon chain Sahar & Vosk. At the company’s 2024 international hair removal championship, she won first place in the professional hair removal category and second place in the men’s hair removal category.

At-home waxing can produce salon-like results, but it requires care and skill. As an experienced professional, what should people consider before trying it themselves?

First, consider your skin’s condition. If it’s irritated, sunburned, or damaged, waxing can make things worse. You also need to consider the area you want to treat. Waxing your legs at home is very different from trying to remove hair from the bikini area, where the skin is more delicate and some spots are difficult to reach. Choose a wax suitable for the area you’re treating.

Also, certain skincare products and medications, especially retinoids, can increase the risk of skin injury.

Over five years as a waxing specialist, you’ve worked with clients with different skin types and conditions, achieving higher client satisfaction and increased repeat bookings. How should people prepare for at-home waxing? What common mistakes should they avoid? 

Start with clean, dry skin. Oils, creams, and other products left on the surface can prevent the wax from gripping the hair properly. Hair length is important, too. If the hair is too short, the wax may not catch it; if it is too long, removal can be more uncomfortable.

Check the wax temperature before applying it to a larger area. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test a small amount on the inside of your wrist first. The wax should feel warm, never painfully hot.

Preparation doesn’t need to be complicated. The important thing is to give yourself enough time and avoid rushing. If you try a new product, read the instructions carefully instead of assuming it works like the one you used before.

You developed a specialized approach to waxing for pregnant women and clients with sensitive skin. What have you learned from working with these clients, and what precautions should people with sensitive skin take when considering at-home waxing?

What I learned is that skin sensitivity can change. Someone who tolerated waxing before may react differently now, especially during pregnancy or an eczema flare-up. That’s why I focus on the skin’s current condition, not just previous experience.

In developing my approach with SKIN’S wax, I found that a gentler product alone isn’t enough. Wax temperature, proper technique, and avoiding repeated applications to the same area are equally important.

For home waxing, I recommend starting with a small, easy-to-reach area to see how your skin responds. Don’t keep waxing the same spot to remove every last hair. If your skin has become unusually sensitive, consider postponing waxing or consulting a professional.

At the international 2024 Beauty Championship by Sahar&Vosk, you won first place in professional depilation and second place in men’s depilation. How does waxing men differ from waxing women?

The biggest difference is often the hair itself. Men tend to have thicker, denser body hair, particularly on the chest and back. This can make waxing more uncomfortable and requires extra attention to how the hair grows. But I’ve also worked with women whose hair is just as coarse, so I never choose a technique based on gender alone.

Additionally, hair on the same body part can grow in several directions. On the chest, for example, it may grow downward in one area and sideways in another. Applying wax in one direction across the entire area can lead to broken hairs and irritation. I recommend working in small sections and checking the growth pattern first. For large or hard-to-reach areas, such as the back, professional waxing is usually the safer choice.

To address ingrown hairs, which is a common complication, you introduced specialized Vajacial treatments into your professional practice. What does this procedure involve, and can people safely perform it at home?

A Vajacial is essentially a facial for the external bikini area. It typically involves cleansing, gentle exfoliation, and soothing products to address irritation and ingrown hairs.

You can follow some of the same principles at home, but I recommend keeping it simple. Cleanse gently, moisturize the surrounding skin, and avoid tight clothing that causes friction. Once the skin has recovered from waxing, gentle exfoliation may help prevent trapped hairs. Never squeeze ingrown hairs or use aggressive scrubs and chemical peels on this delicate area. If bumps become painful or inflamed, see a dermatologist.

What should people do in the first days after waxing at home, and what signs suggest their skin needs more attention than routine aftercare?

The first 24–48 hours should be about letting your skin recover, not applying more products. Avoid hot baths, intense exercise, and tight clothing that creates friction. A cool compress and a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer are usually enough.

I advise clients to watch whether their skin is improving or getting worse. Mild redness that gradually fades is normal. Increasing pain, swelling, warmth, or pus may indicate a complication. If irritation persists beyond two days or symptoms worsen, consult a healthcare professional instead of experimenting with home remedies.