Sugar Waxing Will Change Your Life: Here’s How to Do It
We’ve written about clean, green hair removal methods in the past, but now it’s time to take a deep dive into our favorite: sugar waxing. Also known as sugaring, sugar waxing uses a combination of sugar, lemon juice, and water to remove unwanted hair. More and more spas are beginning to offer sugaring services, but you can also do it at home.
Why is sugar waxing so great?
Well, first, it’s natural and non-toxic—it’s so clean you can literally eat it! You can’t say that about other types of hair removal waxes.
Like other forms of waxing, sugaring yields better results than shaving because it removes hair from the root. This means it takes longer for hair to grow back (sometimes up to 6 weeks!), and when it does, it doesn’t have that coarse stubble-y feel to it. Over time, fewer hairs will grow back because the follicles become damaged.
If you have sensitive skin and other hair removal methods leave it irritated for days afterwards, sugaring might just be the answer. Sugar wax hydrates and exfoliates the skin, leaving it healthier than when you started, which is the opposite of what shaving, other forms of waxing, and chemical depilatories do. This makes sugaring the perfect hair removal method for fall and winter, when your skin is more likely to be dry and sensitive.
Is it safe to wax with sugar?
Like any hair removal method, there’s a risk of ingrown hairs and infection with sugaring, but other than that, there are no safety concerns. Just make sure your sugar wax is warm when you apply it, not hot!
Should you sugar wax at home?
You can totally sugar wax at home, but some experts recommend getting it done at a spa first so you can see how it’s done before attempting it on your own.
Is sugar wax less painful?
Yes, one of the advantages of sugar waxing is that it’s less painful than traditional waxing. That doesn’t mean there’s no pain—you are ripping out your hair at the roots, after all—but it’s definitely more tolerable than waxing.
Can you make your own sugar wax?
You can! Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons warm water
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring them to a boil, stirring often. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sugar wax turns golden brown and has a syrupy consistency. Pour the sugar wax into a glass jar or heat-proof container and let it cool for 30 minutes before using.
Can you buy sugar wax?
Although the recipe for sugar wax seems simple enough, it can be tricky to get the right consistency, especially if you’ve never sugared before and don’t know what the wax should look like. If you’re a beginner, we recommend buying sugar wax.
How do you use sugar wax?
It’s a good idea to do a gentle physical exfoliation a few days before sugaring. When you’re ready to get started, wash the area to remove oil and residue from lotions, sunscreen, etc. Your hair will need to be at least 1/4-inch for sugaring to work—it needs enough hair to grab onto! Here’s how to use sugar wax:
- Using your fingers or a wood stick, spread the wax over your skin in the direction your hairs are growing.
- Pull the skin taut with one hand and use the other to quickly pull off the wax in the opposite direction.
- Wash away any remaining sugar residue with warm (not hot!) water, then apply a body oil or lotion to soothe your skin.
- To prevent ingrown hairs, use an exfoliating body wash daily.
Can I shower after sugaring?
If you feel like you need more than a washcloth to remove the excess sugar wax, you can take a shower to rinse it away. Just make sure you take a warm shower, not a hot one, which can cause your skin to become inflamed.
Where can I use sugar wax?
Anywhere! It can be used on your arms, legs, underarms, face, and yes, even the bikini area. You can even find sugar wax formulations specifically made for different parts of the body.
Which lasts longer, waxing or sugaring?
Waxing and sugaring both last the same amount of time since they both remove hair at the root.
