Utah Esthetics Written State Practice Exam

Which of the following is a contraindication for facial waxing?

1. Dry skin

2. Skin irritation

3. Topical antibiotics

4. Minor acne

The correct answer is: Topical antibiotics

Facial waxing involves removing hair from the skin's surface using a sticky substance that adheres to the hair. While various skin conditions can influence the decision to wax, the presence of topical antibiotics is a significant contraindication. This is because topical antibiotics can cause the skin to become more sensitive and may affect the skin's healing process. When individuals are using topical antibiotics, their skin can be compromised, making it more susceptible to adverse reactions such as irritation, burns, or even infection during waxing. The chemical composition of these medications may react negatively with the wax or the process of pulling the hair, leading to increased risk of damage to the skin. On the other hand, while dry skin, skin irritation, and minor acne may warrant caution or modified techniques, they do not pose the same level of risk as the active use of topical antibiotics. In these cases, estheticians may still proceed with waxing but may need to adjust their methods or assess the skin condition more closely.