Pour Some Sugar On Me!

WHAT IS SUGARING?

It might sound like a candy rush or something you’d see in a food network baking show, but sugaring is actually a method of hair removal that finds its origins in ancient Egypt.  Similar to waxing, sugaring removes body hair by quickly pulling the hair from the root. The name for this method comes from the paste itself, which consists of lemon, water, and sugar. The ingredients are all heated together until it reaches a candy-like consistency. Once it cools it’s applied directly to the skin. This mixture is much more natural and environmentally-friendly than wax, making it a desirable method of hair removal.

SUGARING vs. WAXING?

Although sugaring and waxing seem very similar, there is a key difference between the two: the direction in which hair is pulled.  With waxing, the mixture is applied in the same direction as hair growth and then removed in the opposite direction of hair growth.

With sugaring, it’s the exact opposite. The cooled sugar paste is applied against the direction of hair growth and removed in the direction of hair growth with quick, small yanks. This difference in application can make a big difference in whether there’s any hair breakage.  Because waxing pulls hair out in the opposite direction of growth, hair follicles can easily break in half.  It’s also worth noting that sugaring paste doesn’t adhere to the skin, so it only removes hair. Waxing, on the other hand, adheres to the skin and can cause more irritation.

ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS?

Besides a softer, hair-free appearance, sugaring provides light exfoliation. The paste adheres to the dead skin cells sitting on the surface of the skin, removing them with the hair to reveal a smoother surface. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this exfoliation helps renew the appearance of the skin. Also as is the case with waxing, sugaring may cause hair to grow back softer and thinner through continued upkeep.

HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?

Everyone’s bodies are different so how fast and how thick your hair grows back will vary.  However, in general, after your first appointment, sugaring will last around 3 weeks. If you keep regular maintenance appointments, you may find that the process becomes less painful and that your hair grows back slower  and thinner over time.