Hot Wax Pot Handling: A Step-By-Step Guide

Using a hot wax pot is a great way to achieve smooth skin at home. To get started, turn on your wax warmer and set the temperature to the highest setting. Leave the pot on for about 20 minutes, then adjust the temperature to medium and let it heat for a few more minutes. Stir the wax occasionally to ensure even heating. Once the wax has a honey-like consistency, it's ready to use! Always test the wax on a small patch of skin before applying it to larger areas. When you're finished, turn off the wax warmer and place the lid on the pot to prevent the wax from hardening.

Heating wax to the right temperature

Understanding Wax Temperature:

• The ideal temperature for hard wax is approximately 140ºF (60ºC). However, this may vary slightly depending on the specific wax product and ambient conditions.
• Wax that is too hot can cause burns and skin damage. It will also be runny and drip off the applicator.
• Wax that is too cold will not adhere to the hair effectively. It will be thick and difficult to maneuver.

Heating Wax in a Pot:

• Always start with a full pot of wax to ensure even heating.
• Turn on the wax warmer and set the temperature dial to the highest setting (usually around 105ºC).
• Allow the wax to heat for about 20 minutes, or until it has completely melted.
• Lower the temperature to the midway point (around 75ºC) and continue heating.
• Stir the wax continuously, especially the outer edges, to ensure even heating.
• Adjust the temperature as needed throughout the process.
• The wax is ready when it has a honey-like consistency. It should be thick but not dripping off the applicator.

Tips for Temperature Control:

• Use a sliding temperature dial instead of a clicking dial for more precise control.
• Monitor the wax consistency visually. If it looks runny or thin, it is too hot. If it is thick and difficult to apply, it is too cold.
• The amount of wax in the pot, the room temperature, and the size of the treated body area may require adjustments to the temperature.
• For larger body areas like the legs, a slightly cooler temperature (around 55-65ºC) is recommended for a tackier consistency.
• For facial areas, a slightly warmer temperature (around 75-85ºC) is needed for effective hair removal.

Cleaning a wax pot

Cleaning an Inner Pot

• Turn the heat up higher than you normally would to ensure the wax melts thoroughly.
• Keep the lid open to monitor the wax as it heats.
• Continue heating until the wax melts, looking for bubbles or thin-running wax. Stir the wax to check for chunks of solid wax.
• Once the wax is completely melted, turn off the heat.
• Remove the inner pot with a handle, oven mitts, or tongs. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• Pour the wax into a disposable container. Do not pour wax down the drain as it will block the pipes.
• Set the inner pot aside to cool for 1-3 hours.
• Use a rubber scraper or spatula to remove any remaining wax.
• Wipe the pot with wax cleaner or mineral oil, then with a sanitizing wipe or sterilization solution.
• Let the pot air dry for 3-4 hours before using it again.

Removing Wax from the Rim and Case

• Turn the heat on to melt any wax residue on the rim or face of the pot.
• Use a popsicle stick or disposable straight edge to scrape the rim of the pot.
• Clean the face and rim of the pot with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel.
• Wipe the entire container with a dry paper towel to ensure no residue is left.
• Let the pot air dry for 2-3 hours before using it again.

Washing an Improvised Wax Pot

• Heat your improvised pot as you normally would to melt the wax.
• Pour the liquid wax into a disposable container.
• Boil enough water to fill your container, then pour it into the wax pot slowly, leaving 1-2 inches of space at the top.
• Wait for the water to cool, then strain the water in a colander. The wax will have hardened and can be discarded.
• Scrape any remaining wax with a wooden spatula or spoon.
• Wash the pot with mild dish soap and water, then dry the interior with a clean paper towel.
• Let the pot air dry for 2-3 hours before using it again.

Tips

• It is important to clean your wax warmer regularly, not only for appearances but also for sanitary purposes.
• Deep cleaning should be done at least once a week or whenever you change the wax formula.
• When cleaning a hard wax warmer, warm the machine to around 75°C-90°C. Make sure there is still wax in the pot, as heating an empty pot can lead to overheating and damage.
• When removing wax from a hard wax warmer, turn the temperature down to 55°C-75°C. This will allow you to easily scoop out most of the wax at once.
• When cleaning your wax warmer, wear heavy-duty dishwasher gloves to avoid mess and potential burns.
• To clean the outside of your wax warmer, wipe it down with a wax heater cleaner, such as Starpil's Post-Wax Oil, followed by a wipe-down of isopropyl alcohol.
• You can also use fragrance and colour-free oil on a paper towel to wipe out your wax pot. The oil will dissolve the wax, and any residue can be wiped away with a clean cloth.
• Always wear protective gloves when cleaning a wax pot.

Removing wax from the rim and case

To clean any wax residue that may have gotten on the rim or case of your wax pot, turn the heat on and wait for the wax to melt. Even if your pot is empty, turn the heat on to loosen the wax residue on the outside of the pot. Remember to wear a pair of rubber gloves if you want to keep your hands clean. Once the wax is melted, turn your wax pot off and unplug it.

Next, take a popsicle stick and hold it in both hands with the long side horizontal to the pot’s rim. Pinch the flat end on both sides between your thumb and index finger. Use the thin edge of the popsicle stick to scrape wax off the rim of your wax pot. If the wax is totally melted, it will blend in with the rim. You can wipe it up with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel. You can use any small, wooden straight-edge instead of a popsicle stick. Just remember that you’re going to have to throw it out after the wax dries.

Once you’ve removed any thicker wax, pour some rubbing alcohol into a paper towel. Wipe the rim and case by rubbing in one direction with each swipe to lift the wax up. Clean any knobs or dials by lightly turning them with the paper towel in your hand. Turn your pot off before you do this. You don’t want to get any active electrical components wet.

Some waxes will leave a little colour behind. This doesn’t mean that your surface isn’t clean, and the colour will likely dissipate as the pot cools.

Wipe the entire container with a dry paper towel. You can’t leave the exterior of the pot wet, especially if it has an electrical heating mechanism. Take a few dry paper towels and wipe down every face of your wax pot so that you soak up any residual alcohol or wax. Let your pot air dry for 2-3 hours before using it again.

Using a wax warmer

Step 1: Prepare Your Wax Warmer

First, find a suitable wax warmer designed specifically for wax melts, as other types of warmers can reach unsafe temperatures. Read the instructions and safety information that came with your wax warmer. Some warmers use a light bulb, while others have a built-in ceramic heater. If your warmer uses a light bulb, ensure you remove any plastic covering before use.

Step 2: Choose and Place Your Wax Melt

Check if your wax is already broken into smaller pieces. If you have wax cubes, break off a piece (approximately 1 ounce) and place it inside the warmer. For cubes, avoid using more than one melt at a time. If you are using smaller melts, you can use 2-3 pieces, depending on your desired fragrance intensity. Do not add water or oil to the wax.

Step 3: Turn on Your Warmer

If you have an electric warmer, plug it into an electrical outlet, ensuring the cord is not hanging over the edge of a table or counter and is not in contact with hot surfaces. Press the "on" switch or follow the specific instructions for your warmer. If your warmer lacks a timer, set an alarm or keep track of the time manually to prevent the wax from overflowing.

Step 4: Enjoy the Fragrance

Once the wax warmer is on, the wax will begin to melt, and your room will be filled with fragrance. You can leave the warmer on as long as needed to enjoy the scent, but be mindful of the wax level to prevent overflow.

Step 5: Turn off Your Warmer

When you are done using the wax warmer, turn it off and unplug it from the wall by gripping the plug from its base. Do not pull the cord to disconnect. Allow the wax to cool and solidify before removing it from the warmer.

Step 6: Clean Your Warmer

To clean your wax warmer, wait for the wax to cool and solidify. Then, gently scrape or pop out the used wax. Never discard the wax down the drain. To clean the warmer, use a paper towel or a warm, moist, soapy sponge. You can also use a drop of baby oil for an easy clean. Wipe down the warmer with a soft cloth, avoiding abrasive cleaners that can damage the surface.

Step 7: Reuse Your Wax Cubes (Optional)

You can reuse your wax cubes multiple times until the fragrance fades. Melted wax does not evaporate; only the scent dissipates. So, be sure to remove the used wax from your warmer and add a new cube when the scent fades.

Adjusting the temperature throughout the day

When using a hot wax pot, it's important to remember that you might need to adjust the temperature throughout the day, depending on how the wax is reacting. Here are some tips to help you adjust the temperature and achieve the perfect consistency for your waxing needs:

• Start by turning on the wax warmer and setting it to the highest temperature. The exact temperature may vary depending on the model, but as an example, the HK Wax Center's large wax warmer is set to 105°C.
• Leave the pot on for about 20 minutes. The time may vary depending on the amount of wax you need to heat up.
• Turn the dial to about the midway point—for the HK Wax Center warmer, this is 75°C—and leave it there.
• Begin stirring the wax from the outer edge towards the middle of the pot. This helps to ensure even heating throughout the wax.
• If the wax is too hot, you can add more wax beads to the pot to help cool it down.
• Continue stirring every couple of minutes until the center block of wax has completely melted.
• Pay attention to the consistency of the wax. It should have a honey-like consistency when it's ready to be used. It should not be too runny or thin, as this could indicate that it's too hot.
• If the wax is still too hot and runny, you can turn the warmer down to a lower temperature or even turn it off for a while to allow it to cool.
• The ideal temperature for hard wax varies but is approximately 140°F.
• Remember that the amount of wax in the pot, the room temperature, and other factors can also affect the consistency. You may need to experiment to find the perfect temperature for your specific setup.
• Throughout the day, continuously dip clean spatulas into the wax to test its consistency. If the wax is too hot, it will be too runny and will drip from the applicator stick. If it's too cold, you'll hold more wax on the stick, and it will be too easy to pull, resulting in the need to go over the same area multiple times.
• Adjust the temperature as needed to maintain the ideal honey-like consistency.

Frequently asked questions