Hair removal by Sugaring

Using sugar wax for hair removal is increasingly becoming a popular alternative to traditional waxing. Despite this recent surge in popularity, sugaring, as the process is sometimes referred, is an ancient hair removal practice, dating back to Egyptian times. Earliest records of sugaring date back to 1900BC. The general usage of this method of hair removal is the same as it is for standard waxing.

A thick sugary paste, known as the substrate is applied to the area marked for hair removal with a spatula, or by hand. This application is done in a direction opposite to that of hair growth. A strip of porous paper or cloth is then pressed into the sugaring solution, before being ripped off the skin in the same direction as the hair growth. The effect of this is the removal of both the visible hairs on the skin, and the roots to the follicles.

The main advantages of sugaring for hair removal, include the fact that it is relatively inexpensive, and can be done at home. While numerous branded sugaring pastes are widely available in stores, some people choose to make their own pastes at home. These pastes can be made from food items common in most households, such as sugar, lemon juice, honey and corn starch. Getting the consistency of the home made substrate right can be difficult for the novice, hence popularity of the over the counter varieties.

Many people cite the fact that the sugaring substrate is water soluble, and so can be washed off the skin more easily than traditional wax hair removal as their main reason for opting for the sugaring method. Sugaring is also done at temperatures lower than that of the traditional hot waxes, reducing the risk of damage to the skin from burning.

Unlike traditional waxing, the sugary substrate does not stick to the skin, but only to the hairs earmarked for removal, making it a less painful process, and vastly reducing the possibility of users suffering skin irritation. As a result of this sugaring is often used in sensitive places, such as bikini areas and pubic hairs.

That said, some users have reported that they find sugaring less effective in the removal of unwanted hairs than waxing. Like any hair removal process however, following some basic rules assures the best results. These include:
- hair for waxing should be at least 0.6cm long to allow the sugar wax to bond with it
- hairs should be cleaned, and dried adequately before waxing. Some users find it beneficial to apply powder such as corn starch, before waxing, increasing the hair's bonding with the sugar waste
- paste should be applied evenly, with only a thin later required
- the cloth or paper strip must be ripped off, and pulled off gently for the hair to be removed effectively

As a hair removal method, sugaring does work, although results do vary from one individual to the next. It should still be an alternative consideration for anyone looking to use any of the available waxing methods, to remove unwanted hair.

Tips for hair removal by Sugaring


1. Check before applying strictly on a smaller place, that you use the correct temperature.
2. Apply a thin layer with the direction of hair growth
3. the strips must be kept close to the leg
4. Never pull the strip at a steep angle
5. The hair should have a minimum length of 5 mm