Women and waxing have had a long-standing love-hate (mostly hate) relationship. Sure, waxing gives your skin that smooth, fuzz-free feel that is incredible to touch. But the sheer act of placing a strip on the skin, no matter the kind of wax used, and yanking it off can be overwhelming to the skin.
Honestly, ingrown hair is the least of your worries. Regular wax can include chemical additives like artificial dyes, perfumes, and acids that can peel your skin. Not to mention the discomfort you feel being oiled up after a waxing service. Liposoluble wax does not come off with just water and needs a quick oil massage to get off. So, regular waxing is just not the vibe for someone like me who struggles with sensitivity from fragrances and essential oils. This is why when I stumbled upon sugaring, I spent no time trying it out for myself and here’s what I discovered!
What Is Sugaring?
In my quest to improve and optimise my hair removal routine, I put my trust in organic hair removal powders for a while. But these all-natural powders would just leave a foul smell and dry skin behind. But with sugaring – the viral DIY trend that uses semi-solid sugar wax candy to remove hair – I found a better way to tend to the fuzz. Sugaring is an ancient Egyptian practice that uses a wax made with lemon, water, and melted sugar (or maple sap). It removes body hair from its roots with minimal damage to the live cells on the skin. I stumbled on the trend the same way I learnt how to take care of my natural curls, by watching African-American influencers who consistently prove that DIY beauty can be both conscious and effective.
“Sugaring is definitely gentler than most other hair removal systems. Unlike other waxing products, continuous sugaring thins out hair growth and renders the skin feeling and looking smoother and brighter. It is gentle enough for intimate waxing like Brazilian waxing too,” reveals Ms Asha Hariharan, Education Director, Enrich. The practice got popular on the interweb as an at-home waxing option that is gentle, all-natural and barely hurts.
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How Does Sugaring Work?
Sugar wax is made of water, sugar and lemon. Asha explains, “The mixing of these three ingredients creates a beautiful soft gold coloured candy. This makes sugar wax not only so efficient in removing hair from its root, but it is the most natural way of hair removal.” There are two methods of sugaring:
1. The sugar candy is rolled up into a ball and then systematically applied in small or medium patches on hair and then pulled off when dried off.
2. The sugar wax is warmed in an electric warmer to achieve the perfect consistency. It can be gently applied with a spatula or blunt steel knife, or disposable spatula in strips. A cloth strip is pressed onto the strip and then pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
Benefits Of Sugaring Over Regular Waxing
Sugaring combines unwanted hair removal with added benefits to the skin. It is known to very lightly exfoliates dead skin cells and the lemon in the sugar wax also helps brighten the skin. The dual benefits of sugaring are the reason why many women regularly resort to sugaring. The practice is often recommended to maintain an even-toned appearance, smooth texture and hygiene of body skin.
Having said that, while sugaring is the safest hair removal method, there are some things to be mindful of. It is imperative that you go to a salon and beautician who practice pristine hygiene standards. In fact, consult a beautician even before making an appointment to get an idea about your skin’s specific interactions with sugaring wax. The professional will ensure that the hair is of a certain length for sugaring to work. Asha recommends avoiding the service if one has been sunbathing or skin has a rash or is sensitised due to health reasons or periods. “Intimate waxing requires greater expertise, so don’t hesitate to ask for senior beauticians for the delicate areas,” she further elaborates.
What’s Up With DIY Sugaring?
Asha cautions, “Sugaring at home is possible for small areas on the flat arms or legs. But only a professional can help with seamless and complete hair removal results because it is difficult to reach hair that grows in the body’s nooks, corners, and crevices.”
However, if you are curious about DIYing sugaring candy wax at home for emergencies, here’s a quick and easy recipe to make your own.
The aftercare of sugaring is simple:
1. Do not take hot showers for 48 hours.
2. Do not exfoliate; avoid active ingredients in all of your body care essentials and use only use simple body lotions.
3. Do not use harsh liquids like Dettol.
4. Wear loose clothing for the next 24 hours. But be cautious of exposing your bare skin to the sun. If you do, wear a body sunscreen.
5. Avoid strenuous activities like swimming or outdoor sports that make you sweat.
Photos: Instagram, Unsplash, GIPHY
