What is Sugaring?
Sugaring is another method of hair removal similar to waxing. Instead of a wax, sugaring uses sugar, lemon, and water heated together until it forms a paste-like consistency. This form of hair removal is more environmentally friendly than waxing because it uses natural ingredients and it has no additives and chemicals!
The main difference between sugaring and waxing is the direction of how the hair is pulled. When waxing, the wax is applied in the same direction of the hair growth and removed against the hair growth. Sugaring is the complete opposite, where the paste is applied against the hair growth but is removed in the same direction of the hair growth.
Sugaring can be an alternative to waxing because it’s more environmentally friendly. It’s also known to be gentler than waxing because sugaring has a paste/dough-like consistency, unlike a wax that gets hard when it cools down which can break hair follicles easily. It uses everyday household items, and it provides a light exfoliation by removing the dead skin on the surface of the skin because the paste does not stick to the skin, just on the hair. It also reduces hair growth over time if sugaring is done consistently.
Aftercare for sugaring:
- No sexual activity for at least 24 hours to avoid irritation in the genital/bikini area
- Avoid activities that may cause sweating and anything with high heat for at least 24 hours
- No exfoliation
- Wear loose clothing to let the skin breathe
- Take an over the counter pain reliever to reduce swelling and pain
While this hair removal method looks easy enough to DIY because of its simple ingredients, sugaring should be done by trained professionals to avoid complications. People who are taking antibiotics, Accutane, or retinoids should consult with their doctor prior to getting sugared. Thinking about trying sugaring? Check out this pros and cons list:
GENERAL DISCLAIMER: It’s Fetch is a community that provides a safe space for members to discuss health and wellness topics. We provide access to archived health related content, note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content shared, regardless of date should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
-Written by Megan Enciso (MPH Candidate USC)
Always wondered the difference between waxing and sugaring. They both sound painful, nothing like a good razor, but I guess if you want cleaner and more permanent results, this is a way to go. Down to try pretty much anything.