Is sugar as sweet as it sounds?
You might be wondering if sugaring is all it’s cracked up to be. Maybe you’ve heard about it but don’t fully understand what it is, or your friend is raving about it but you’re not totally on board yet. Well friend, I’m here to explain exactly what sugaring is, how it works, and the benefits of this natural waxing alternative. Let’s set the record straight with a little myth-busting so you can walk into your appointment knowing what to expect and feeling empowered.
Still have questions? I’m here to help!
Let's start with the basics… What exactly is sugaring?
Sugaring is an all-natural waxing alternative that uses a sugar paste to remove hair from its roots. Sugar paste is formed by just three ingredients: sugar, lemon juice, and water. Instead of using wax sticks and strips, I apply a ball of paste to your skin. I mold the paste evenly across the skin in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Then, with a flicking motion, I quickly remove the sugar, and with it comes the hair!
Will it grow back darker and thicker?
Nope, that is a myth! The removal of the entire hair follicle has no impact on the color of the hair. When you deplete the hair follicle, you're damaging the root of the hair causing it to grow back slower and more fine.
Is sugaring permanent?
Many people come to me with the expectation that any hair removal I do is permanent. Although I wish it were, it’s not. (The only "permanent" solution would be laser or electrolysis.) However, there are some perks to sugaring regularly! Because we are removing the hair while it is shorter, we are honing in on the anagen stage of growth, helping that follicle deplete at a faster rate. Everyone’s hair growth depends on their genetics, so depleting the hair follicle is a goal, not an expectation. I have clients who have seen me for 2 years whose hair has depleted beautifully, while others have been doing it consistently for 4 years and still have some patchy growth.
Is sugaring better than waxing?
Most clients find sugaring to be more tolerable than waxing and here’s why.
With waxing, many people get burned due to the high temperature of wax. When heat touches the skin, it swells, making it more difficult for the hair to be gently removed, especially without breaking. Sugaring, on the other hand, uses a paste that isn’t hot, eliminating that chance of an unwanted burn. And because we apply the paste in the opposite direction of hair growth (unlike wax), we are pushing the product into the follicle so that way it creates somewhat of a suction wrap around the hair, making it easier to remove with less breakage.
Another sweet benefit? You don't have to grow your hair out as long! Let’s be honest, everyone hates the waiting period for hair growth. After shaving, you can come in 10-12 days later to receive a sugaring treatment, and if you're an avid waxer, you can come in 3-4 weeks after waxing for your sugaring service, unlike wax that requires 5-6 weeks.
So...is sugar as sweet as it sounds?
I'm going to be completely honest with you. Sugaring, although sweet sounding, is still a form of hair removal. Any time you are removing the entire hair follicle, it’s not going to be totally pain free. That being said, many find the removal to be less painful than waxing, especially those with sensitive skin. Most clients also find the recovery time to be less with sugar than with wax, as sugaring eliminates hair breakage, unnecessary discomfort, irritation and ingrown hairs.