How does sugaring work?
I get asked this question a lot. Many people I’ve spoken to ask me the question
As the sugar is spread in the opposite direction of hair growth (toward your knee, spreading 3 times), the pores are being opened and relaxed. This allows the sugar to seep into your pores and essentially lube up the hair to be able to glide right out.
“What in the world are you talking about? Remove my hair with SUGAR?
What kinda kinky s**t are you talkin’ about Jen?”
There are differences between sugaring and waxing.
When you get waxed at a salon:
- Wax (often with resin and chemical) is spread in the SAME direction of hair growth. (Toward your ankles, right?)
- Then, they apply the muslin strip.
- They rub it and yank it off in the opposite direction of hair growth (towards your knee).
- They do it fast, though it is often quite painful.
Sugaring paste is used at room temperature and requires only your fingers or an applicator
Sugaring Wax is used slightly warmed (never HOT) with an applicator and reusable denim strips
Sugaring Hair Removal:
- Is not as painful as waxing
- The sugar seeps into pores ensuring a smooth extraction
- You don’t experience the ingrown’s and razor burn associated with shaving and waxing
- Is Eco- friendly (is Earth safe and friendly)
- Is Skin friendly – It is ideal for anyone who has a problem with waxing or shaving and seeking an all natural alternative
When the sugar is applied to the skin, it seeps into the hair follicles. This “lubricates” the hair, which allows the hairs to “glide” out more comfortably and gently. This is the biggest contributor to the “less pain than waxing” factor. This method also minimizes any redness, irritation, hair breakage and ingrown hairs.
All this while simultaneously exfoliating dead skin cells! Sugaring is safe for all skin types (sensitive, itchy, psoriasis, eczema) and is safe on varicose veins and spider veins.
The traditional (ancient Egyptian) method of sugaring: FIRM
- Cooked to a consistency much like a thick taffy.
- Organic Raw Sugar, Lemons, a smidgen of water.
- If you are a beginner or your hairs are thick by nature, start off with sugaring paste.
- Hairs will begin to grow back thinner and sparser (Read “Science of Sugaring Hair Removal“.
Refer to Anagen Stage of Hair Growth – 1/8″ growth.) - You rub a thick ball of sugar in the OPPOSITE direction of hair growth.
- You do this three times.
- Then real quick, in a “flicking” motion, remove the sugar in the SAME direction as hair growth.
- The “flicking” motion is with your wrist and fingers.
- This can be performed with an applicator or your fingers.
- I provide an applicator because it makes sense. The heat does not transfer between your fingers and the sugar. The heat will melt the sugar faster. I prefer the applicator method.
- You are removing the hairs in the SAME direction of hair growth, you won’t experience as much pain as waxing.
- You don’t experience the ingrown’s and razor burn associated with shaving and waxing.
The Sugaring Wax (adapted through time) method of sugaring: SOFT
- Sugaring Wax is a lot like thick honey.
- Organic Cane Sugar, Lemons, a smidgen of water.
- Great when your hairs are already thin from previous waxing or natural.
- You can still use sugaring paste as well.
- Spread a thin layer on the desired area in the SAME direction of hair growth.
- Tip: Smaller the area, smaller amount.
- Set your applicator down and grab a thick denim strip.
- Apply it on top of the thin layer of sugar, rub (applying friction and transferring heat).
- Grab the end of the denim and remove in the OPPOSITE direction of hair growth.
- Remember to stay parallel to the skin.
- Do not pull up.
- Some people prefer applying in the opposite direction and removing in the same direction.
- I do not recommend applying in the opposite direction as hairs are more likely to break off rather than removed completely.
