Many consumers are concerned about hair on various parts of their bodies and wish to remove it to enhance their perceived body image. Many women will arrange for waxing treatment to remove body hair from various locations on their bodies, including eyebrows, face, legs, abdomen, back, chest, knuckles, feet, and pubic areas. The latter is often referred to as bikini waxing or intimate waxing.
Men also participate in body waxing, particularly if they have thick, heavy, and dense hair on their bodies. They are striving for a particular look and will endure the waxing process to gain that special hairless look. In this post, we will discuss waxing consent forms and why a business offering waxing services should consider a consent form to protect their clients and their business.
What is a waxing consent form?
The waxing consent form is usually created by a spa or salon specializing in waxing services and given to their clients for review and signature before receiving waxing treatments. The consent form protects the spa or saloon by requesting the client to sign the form absolving them from damage lawsuits. The consent form also educates the client about the potential side effects of a wax treatment, and their signature indicates they have read the document and understand the potential side effects.
Waxing treatments remove the hair from the follicle. New hair will grow back in the waxed area in approximately four to six weeks. Many clients return for regular waxing treatments.
There are side effects that will cause some clients to forgo a wax treatment. Some people will have medical conditions or are taking medications that prevent them from receiving waxing treatments. The client and the business owner need to understand these effects before following through with a wax treatment.
In summary, the waxing consent form should achieve the following:
- The form serves as a disclaimer. The client is informed about potential side effects when it is not permitted, and post-treatment care instructions
- It protects the esthetician or cosmetologist from liability since the client must read and understand the potential side effects before signing the consent form.
- The clinician is not considered liable if the client fails to inform the clinician of medical issues that would have prevented the clinician from performing the wax treatment.
Who can wax others?
A licensed esthetician or cosmetologist is allowed to legally offer wax treatments and perform wax treatments. Operators who let their license expire or who do not have a license are subject to fines, imprisonment, and additional penalties.
Anyone who proclaims to be licensed and is not can be sued with or without a waxing consent form. Always retain your receipts to demonstrate and confirm the service received. If there is an adverse reaction, go to a hospital or see your family doctor to receive proper medical care. You should also take pictures of the affected area and consult a lawyer. Avoid pictures of private areas if possible.
Essential elements of a waxing consent form.
There are four main elements that a waxing consent form should include:
- Identification of the client
- Clients Health review
- Review of potential side effects
- Signature’s
The following provides additional detail about what should be included in a waxing consent form. Note it should be crafted by a legal professional to ensure all statements are clear to the client and the professional providing the waxing treatment.
Identification of the client – should include the full name, address including street, city, and zip code, and cell phone number, including work and personal phone numbers.
Clients Health review – a full health review is required to confirm the client will not suffer any known side effects. The areas reviewed should include the following:
- Previous waxing experience and side effects
- Skin conditions, including scarring, bumps, bruising, ingrown hair, or hyperpigmentation
- Known skin allergies or sensitivities such as eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, blisters
- Botox treatments to the treatment area
- Tanning bed exposure within 24 hours of treatment
- Sun exposure within 24 hours of treatment
- Currently taking known drugs that could cause side effects – provide a list
- Pregnancy status
- Diabetes
- Skin imbalances
- Cancer treatments
- Dry skin?
Review of potential side effects – disclaimer statement advising the client of potential side effects either from the treatment and/or aftercare. The statement should include that the client will not hold the professionals liable for known side effects. Risk factors should be covered, such as infections and treatment, exposure to irritating cosmetics, and post-waxing skin care. Post-waxing skincare instructions should also be included and understood by the client to increase the chances for success.
Signatures – both the client and the esthetician should jointly sign the consent form and provide the date the form was signed. It is up to the esthetician to ensure the client has read and understood the disclaimer. If the client is a child under the age of 18, space must be included for the child to sign the consent form along with the parent or guardian’s signature, printed name, address, and contact numbers.
FAQ’s
The following are some of the frequently asked questions consumers have about waxing consent forms and their children receiving waxing treatments.
The primary objective of the esthetician is to ensure that the client is satisfied at the end of their treatment and will not experience any significant side effects from the waxing treatment. They must also confirm that the client is of legal age and understands the potential for side effects. The questions an esthetician should cover before requesting the client to sign the consent form should address a complete health review of all areas that could cause an adverse reaction to the waxing treatment.
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The client should also be asked if they understand that various side effects may occur, especially if the client wishes to proceed with known health issues or does not intend to follow the appropriate aftercare instructions provided to them. The client is asked to sign the consent form acknowledging they have read and understood the risks associated with receiving a wax treatment with their current health condition.
Professionals are required to obtain consent from all individuals over the age of 18 before they can proceed with providing waxing services of any kind. Minors under the age of eighteen must have their parent’s consent before they can receive waxing treatment
No, minors under the age of 18 must have parental or guardian consent before receiving waxing treatments, and the parents must review and sign the consent form on behalf of the minor.
Key Points
All businesses providing services to clients should have a legitimate consent form for their clients to review, understand the risks associated with the service and sign off. The consent form informs them of the services and provides a disclaimer where the client agrees not to sue the business for potential side effects that are typically caused by the service, in this case, waxing treatments.
The consent form also provides the client with an opportunity to communicate any health-related issues that could jeopardize the treatment or create opportunities for more serious side effects. Failure to disclose these health issues removes any liability from the business providing waxing treatment.
A consent form does not remove liability from a business when negligence is involved. If there is negligence, the business may be open to a legitimate lawsuit.
Business owners should consider consulting a reputable business lawyer to review their consent form for a waxing treatment, ensure that it meets legal requirements and that the business is following the requirements of the consent form.
Regardless of how well-written the consent form is and protects the business from liability, the best approach is to always provide excellent service to your clients, creating loyal customers that bring referrals and continue returning for waxing treatment.
