13 signs you're about to have a bad bikini or Brazilian wax, according to a top LA esthetician

Shays, the owner and founder of Queen Bee Salon & Spa, got her start as a facialist in Beverly Hills more than two decades ago.

After Shays was given the task of waxing her boss' friends, she realized there was a whole new world of beauty that she cared about.

"To be honest, as a very OCD Virgo, I enjoyed the task of removing each and every hair," Shays told Insider. "It's very satisfying."

Shays started her own business in her garage, where the demand for her waxing services grew and grew. She opened Queen Bee Salon & Spa's flagship location in 2007, and it's been thriving ever since.

It's safe to say Shays has seen her fair share of waxes over the decades. Now she's ready to share her expertise so that you can spot the signs of a bad Brazilian or bikini wax before it's too late.

While many places will trim your pubic hair during a wax service, Shays doesn't believe it's sanitary.

"If somebody trims your pubic hair, that hair will fall onto the bed, the floor, and possibly into the products," Shays told Insider. "With air conditioners and heat blowing from vents, I can promise you, if a waxer offers to trim your 'down there' hair, you will walk out with 10 varieties of pubic hair on your socks or shoes — perhaps even on your bare feet."

"This means your esthetician was using those sticks on guests before you," Shays said.

"Many years ago, I went for a wax at a place that uses roller waxing," Shays said. "These devices sit in a warmer and the wax is rolled onto your skin. I saw so many hairs belonging to others that were stuck to the roller. I left the building quickly!"

"There are just too many allergens that can irritate the skin," Shays said. "A good depilatory wax shouldn't have so many ingredients as to spoil the soup. Basic, high-end ingredients are the way to go."

"It will be hot and sticky," she explained. "Never good for the skin, and best left back in the 1990s."

A great waxer will talk to you from the moment you enter the room, and even teach you how to breathe during their service, according to Shays.

"A great esthetician will also be able to tell a client when their wax could be more painful, such as on their period, breastfeeding, tired, hungover, or stressed," she added.

"If the wax is too hot, it means your waxer didn't check the heat consistency on the warmer," Shays said.

"This can break the hair and bruise the skin," Shays explained. "I've seen a waxer apply wax over the whole top of the bikini line and then pull it off. I saw skin come off with it. Absolutely brutal and unnecessary. Smaller, more efficient application is better."

Shays said that pulling wax off in the wrong direction can lead to bruising.

"There should be no aggressive tugs to the wax to remove it," she added. "And skin must be held taut at all times."

"There are certain times when this is appropriate — some people have hair that can be stubborn, like shaved hair," Shays explained. "If their skin isn't very sensitive, you can go over it with a soft, cream-based wax."

"But, in many cases, those waxers who use hard wax have to go over the area again," she added. "If your waxer keeps doing it, get up off the table. It can lead to damage of the skin and hair."

"They will strip already stripped skin, and can cause what looks like a friction burn," Shays explained. "I often use a little cortisone mixed in with pure aloe vera and massage that into the skin with some pressure. It helps take down any redness."

"I also love witch hazel, it's so soothing," she added.

"An absolute no-no for me is the use of essential oils after a wax," Shays told Insider. "I have seen burns on the skin from tea tree oil used on skin after a wax."

"I call these places 'factory waxes,'" Shays said. "They're usually franchises and are more focused on their staff selling you a contract and product than they are about your body. Don't give them your hard-earned money, or risk losing skin."

Got questions about other beauty services? Here are 8 signs you're about to get a bad manicure or pedicure, and how to tell if a hairstylist is right for you.