Sugaring Hair Removal - A Less-Painful Alternative to Waxing

Sugaring is a hair removal technique that's been around since ancient Egyptian and Grecian beauty practices, but it's recently gained traction as a less-painful alternative to waxing. It uses a paste made of lemon, sugar, and water to remove unwanted hair in a pull from the roots.

The process begins with the licensed aesthetician cleaning the skin in the desired area of treatment, then a layer of sugaring paste is applied to the skin. It's warmed to body temperature, and the technician applies it in the opposite direction that the hair grows, using quick flicking motions to remove it. Check out on this page to learn more on hair removal services.

Aside from not being as painful as waxing, sugaring is also more gentle on the skin and doesn't damage it like a hot wax does, says dermatologist Howard Sobel, M.D. "Hot waxes attach to the skin and hair, pulling it away with them." This can cause redness, swelling, inflammation, and even bruising, he says.

To get the best results, however, the hair needs to be at least a quarter of an inch long for sugaring to work. This ensures that the paste can adhere to the hair and remove it from the root, according to Palep.

In addition, the skin needs to be exfoliated before the sugaring process to allow the paste to penetrate deeper into the pores and effectively remove hair. The procedure can take anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes depending on the area of the body that's being treated, so it's important to book in advance.

For best results, the technician will apply a powder to provide a protective barrier between the skin and the sugaring paste, which will make it easier for the technician to work with. She will then mold a small amount of the paste in her hand and apply it to the skin, rubbing it against the hair growth before flicking the hand back quickly in the direction of the hair growth.

She will continue doing this until the entire surface is covered with sugar, or until the ball of sugar is full of hair and dead skin cells. She will then wipe the area clean and towel off any excess paste.

Afterward, she will wash the skin and apply a calming lotion to reduce any inflammation that may occur. Then she will leave you to dry off.

Aside from being less painful than waxing, sugaring also requires less maintenance and is a better option for people with sensitive skin or thinning hair, claims Courtney Claghorn, the owner of a boutique sugaring and airbrush tanning salon called Sugared+Bronzed in Los Angeles. The results are typically smoother for up to a month, she says. Click to get more info here on how to apply sugaring hair removal method.

The process can be done at home, though it's not recommended for beginners. It's best to practice at a friend or family member's house first before booking an appointment in the salon, so you don't hurt yourself. But if you do decide to go to a salon, be sure to check reviews, ask for before-and-after photos and talk to the esthetician about their sanitation practices. Check out this post that has expounded on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugaring_(epilation).