Ask the Experts – Mobile Waxing

Featured in Professional Beauty: 

As a freelance waxing therapist, what measure should I take to avoid accidents or claims?

Outback Organics Head Educator, Claire Prior explains how to cover yourself if you are a mobile waxing therapist. First point is the therapist’s insurance (public liability) covering for mobile treatments (referred to as freelance) and/ or from home. The insurance needs to specifically cover mobile or from home liability. Also, the home would preferably need to be owned and not rented.  However, although it is not generally permitted to run a business from a rental property, it is a possibility to do now.  If the property is rented there will be stipulations on what you are doing; for example, more than 40% of the property needs to remain residential (which a beauty room would come under) and there must be written permission from the landlord as there is potential additional wear and tear to consider.

As a mobile therapist, the most well-known damage caused to client’s homes is wax spillage on carpets, walls, flooring and furniture. So, protection of client’s homes is imperative by using a large plastic (wipeable) sheet to place under the couch that is adequately sized to catch falling wax and setting up in a space where flying wax cannot reach the clients’ property.

Another common mishap is wax heaters (already heated) falling in the vehicle in transit. If the vehicle breaks suddenly or hard during the drive, the heater will fall. A square bottom heater tends to be more stable at staying upright, or placing the heater into a box which will a) collect any spillage and b) keep the heater in an upright position. Always carry equipment cleaner for any immediate spillages on hard floors, around the heater or wipeable furniture.  Invest in an in-car charger for your wax heater. It will be ready to use on arrival to your client rather than having to wait or speed heat your wax for use.

A common problem with mobile therapists is back issues from lifting and carrying equipment and product to and from the vehicle. Use a couch weighing no more than 10kg or less. Carry only stock that is required for the treatment you are doing. Make more trips to and from vehicle to carry instead of overloading your weight and risking injuring your back.