Sugaring has become a popular natural hair removal method, although sugaring is not new - it dates back to ancient Egypt. Unlike waxing, sugaring removes hair from the roots without strips. Even if you have sensitive skin and you don't tolerate waxing sugaring could be a great alternative.
What is Sugaring?
Sugaring is a natural form of hair removal that's similar to waxing. The difference is that sugaring has less skin irritation and burn risk than waxing.
Sugaring paste is made up of sugar, lemon juice, and water. The sugar acts as an adhesive to remove hair from the root. The lemon juice adds a bit of acidity to help break down the follicle and make it easier for the sugar to adhere to the hair shafts.
The mixture is heated until it becomes sticky, then applied directly onto the skin in the direction opposite where you want your hair to grow (known as an upward stroke). The application can be done with a wooden spatula or even with your fingers if they're well-moistened with warm water beforehand.
Once the hair has been pulled out at its roots, any remaining sugared residue is rinsed away before applying lotion or moisturizer on top of your newly-bare skin.
Benefits of Sugaring
Sugaring is a safe, all-natural hair removal system that's been used for over 5,000 years. It's also known as "the ancient art of sugar waxing" because of the ingredients used to make it. There are several benefits to sugaring over other methods of hair removal:
No Chemicals
Sugaring doesn't use any harsh chemicals. The ingredients are natural.
No Strips needed
Sugaring does not required any strips or towels. The past is simply spread over your skin and voila, hair will be removed.
Less Irritation
Although ingrown hairs and irritation can still occur, sugaring is said to be less irritating than shaving and other hair removal methods.
Can be used in sensitive areas
Sugaring can be used on sensitive areas such as bikini lines and underarms. It is more gentle than other hair removal techniques.
How Painful is Sugaring?
The pain level depends on your pain tolerance, but generally speaking, sugaring isn't as painful as waxing. You may feel some stinging when the sugar paste is applied to your skin and some pulling when it's removed. Overall it shouldn't be too uncomfortable. If you have sensitive skin or aren't used to having your hair removed, then you might experience more pain.
What can be sugared?
Great news! Sugaring is ideal for removing hairs from any body part — eyebrows, legs, bikini line, arms, face, and more. You can also have your hair removed on larger areas like the shoulders or back.
Sugaring can be done at home or at a salon. Keep in mind that there is a learning curve and it may not be as easy to DIY as it seems. You can always head to a salon that offers sugaring, especially if it's your first time trying it!
Side Effects of Sugaring
Sugaring is an excellent alternative to waxing. However, sugaring can have some potential side effects - just like the other hair removal methods.
Sugaring can cause burns if it's not done correctly.
If you have diabetes or have circulatory issues, sugaring might not be suitable for you because it can slow down blood flow and lead to infection. If this applies to you, ask your doctor before getting a wax or sugaring treatment done at home.
Finally, you should also be aware of the possibility of ingrown hairs. If a hair is pulled too quickly or aggressively, it can curl back into your skin and leave you with an ugly red bump. This is more likely to happen if you are prone to ingrown hairs. And... we got you covered here! You can get Smooth Operator ingrown hair serum to prevent ingrown hairs.
When Not to Get Sugaring?
Some of the most common reasons people choose not to get sugared include:
- You're over 50 years old, and your hair growth has slowed down significantly
- Your skin is very sensitive or prone to irritation.
- You have a medical condition that prevents you from undergoing cosmetic treatments.
- If you have any open cuts, wounds, or infections on the area of your body, you'd like to get sugared.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You have a medical condition that causes your skin to be sensitive or itchy, including psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea.
- You are taking medication that makes you prone to bleeding.
How long will the results last?
The sugaring results will last for about 4-6 weeks, depending on your hair growth patterns.
How to Prepare for a Sugaring Appointment?
Here are some things to think about when preparing for sugaring:
- You should be clean and dry when you arrive at the salon.
- Do not use lotion or perfume in the area where the sugaring will take place.
- Wear loose clothing that is easy to remove and won't compress the areas sugared. Comfort is key!
- If you have long hair, it's best to tie it back, so it doesn't get in the way of your treatment.
Aftercare for Sugaring
Sugaring is a great way to get rid of unwanted hair, but it can sometimes leave you with ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs are caused when the hair curls back into the skin instead of growing out. They can be painful and unsightly, but they're easy to prevent!
Applying an ingrown hair serum after sugaring can help keep your skin in top condition for as long as possible. To use an ingrown hair serum, simply apply it to any areas where you've had ingrown hairs in the past. This will help prevent them from occurring again by keeping your pores clear.
Conclusion
Sugaring is a terrific method of hair removal that has been around for centuries. It truly is one of the best and most effective ways of removing hair since it leaves little or no chance of irritation. This is possible because sugaring contains sugar and lemon juice.
The sugar works as a natural exfoliant, completely removing dead skin cells from the area. It also loosens hair follicles so that you don't need to work so hard to remove them. The lemon juice helps moisturize the epidermis, making it smooth.