Sugaring Vs. Waxing: What's All the Hype?

If you’re looking to escape the constant hassle of shaving and try a new hair-removal technique this summer, look no further than sugaring! Sugaring is an ancient hair removal method dating back to Ancient Egypt, and it’s been around even longer than waxing. It typically involves a mixture of lemon juice, water, and sugar to make a sticky syrup (similar to waxing) and then is applied to the skin and pulled off with strips.

Sugaring can be done in all the same places you wax, including the underarms, legs, back, face, and bikini area. Since sugaring is a bit more gentle than waxing, it’s not always fully effective at grabbing the leg hair. Ladies getting their face sugared should do a strip test first to see if the sugar paste is strong enough to grab the hair. It’s important not to overdo it on the face, as this can lead to a puffy and swollen face. 

The natural ingredients used in sugaring make this process hypoallergenic and safe on most skin types, and results can last up to 3-5 weeks. Sugaring appointments may take a bit longer than waxing appointments because the specialist often needs to go over an area multiple times for a clean finish. If you regularly wax and decide to try sugaring, expect your appointment to take about 5-15 minutes longer. 

If you battle with hair bumps, the hair has to be pulled from the root. To make sure your sugaring specialist has the best chance of a clean, easy hair removal, allow your hair to grow out a bit before your appointment. It should be at least the length of a long grain of rice. This will make it easier for them to remove the hair from the root and minimize bumps and breakouts after your appointment. 

Sugaring can be a bit temperamental at times. If your skin is sweaty or moist, it’s probably too warm to be sugared. If the environment you’re sugaring in is too hot, it may not pull the hair-- especially not from the roots. Your specialist should provide you with the right environment to get the best results for your sugaring experience. 

Unfortunately, coarse and thick hair textures can be a bit more challenging to sugar and may not pull as easily. However, stronger sugaring pastes for hair removal are being developed, most of which are mixed with wax to make them more effective.

At the end of the day, sugaring isn’t much different from waxing-- regardless of the misinformation and hype surrounding it. It’s best to try both and choose which works for you. There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to hair removal, and one method isn’t “better” than another. Different techniques work better on different skin and hair. Trying multiple methods can allow you to find the most effective way that works for you. 

What are your thoughts on sugaring? Let us know in the comments below. 

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The author.

Allison Kindley is a Digital Media Production & Journalism student at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. She loves working with Team Happy Girl because she gets to inform others on feminine wellness, learn every day, write creatively, and empower women.