Sugaring

SUGARING VS. WAXING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Nowadays, there are numerous ways to get rid of unwanted body hair. At-home devices, salons, and dermatologists’ offices are all options for getting rid of unwanted hair “down there” and elsewhere.

 

Sugaring and waxing, on the other hand, are frequently combined and used interchangeably. Why? Because both processes exfoliate the skin and remove hair follicles from the root, leaving the skin smooth and hairless for a longer period of time than with a traditional razor and shaving cream (which only takes off the hair from the top layer of the skin). After each sugaring or waxing session, the hair grows back softer and finer.

 

Sugaring and waxing have actually been practised since the time of Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. Sugar wax and beeswax, as well as pumice stones, were used by Cleopatra, who regarded herself as a goddess, to remove all of her body hair.

 

Splitting hairs aside, body sugaring and waxing are not quite the same. As you can see, these two common hair removal methods share many similarities.

 

It is important to know what ingredients are used in sugaring and waxing products.

 

Yes, sugaring is a sugaring procedure. It’s easy to make an eco-friendly icing paste using three common household ingredients: sugar, water, and lemon juice (all heated together).

 

Hard or soft wax can be used for waxing (this is the one that involves the strip). Beeswax, resin (a compound that hardens a product), oils, and possibly other additives are commonly found in these products.

 

IS THERE A METHOD TO THIS MADNESS?

 

Regardless of whether you’re using sugar or wax, the first step is to remove any excess oil from the skin. A lukewarm sugaring mixture is applied to the skin in an anti-hair-growth direction during the procedure. Then, the hair is gently tugged out in the direction of hair growth. Because the product is natural, it can be reapplied multiple times to stubborn hairs. Water can be used to remove any remaining product.

 

Waxing is applied and removed in reverse to sugaring. The warm-to-hot wax (either soft or firm) is applied on the skin in the direction of the hair follicle growth and removed in the opposite direction of the growth. This can either be done with one’s hands (if the wax is hard) or with strips (if it is soft) (soft wax). Wax can only be reapplied once to hard-to-remove hairs because too much product can cause irritation. To remove any remaining wax, an oil-based cleanser is used.

 

PAIN LEVEL: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUGARING AND WAXING?

 

There is no doubt about it: neither one is a pleasant experience! But for the most part, sugaring is considered less bothersome since the mixture just binds to the hair, not the skin.

 

Even while removing soft wax tends to ramp up the ouch factor, both soft and hard wax stick to the surface of the skin, so getting either type of wax off could be more irritating.

 

And like with most things in life, the first time seems to be the most difficult.

 

ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS TO SUGARING AND WAXING?

 

After having your hair yanked out by its follicles, don’t be shocked if you experience some discomfort. However, both sugaring and waxing might leave you with transient redness, irritation, and/or pimples that can continue for a few days thereafter. After waxing, ingrown hairs are more likely to occur since the substance can induce hair breaking, which makes them more prone to occur.

 

 

 

WHAT SKIN TYPES CAN BENEFIT FROM SUGARING AND WAXING?

 

People with eczema (as well as skin that is extremely sensitive to heat) are better served by sugaring, as a general rule. The more delicate portions of your body should be waxed using hard wax, rather than soft wax, because hard wax is softer on the skin (like armpits, lip hair and bikini). For larger areas, such as your arms and legs, soft wax is a preferable option.

 

If you’re taking an antibiotic, using prescription-only tretinoin (a retinoic acid) on your skin, or have recently taken the prescription acne medication isotretinoin (marketed under the brand name Accutane), you shouldn’t wax. That’s according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

 

Keep in mind that the skin surrounding your pelvic region is likely to be more sensitive throughout your menstrual cycle if you’re attempting to eliminate hair from the bikini area.

 

If you’re pregnant, using any form of hormonal birth control or hormone therapy, taking any topical prescription, or have recently undergone radiation or chemotherapy, talk to your doctor first. If you’re unsure, call your doctor.

 

WHAT PREPARATION IS NECESSARY?

 

Applying a cold pack and/or taking an over-the-counter pain killer roughly half an hour before a hair removal procedure is recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. Attend the appointment in loose, comfortable cotton clothing.

 

HOW LONG ARE THE EFFECTS OF A TREATMENT OR A PROCEDURE EXPECTED TO LAST?

 

To a large extent, it’s the same thing. Three to four weeks on average, you’ll have baby-smooth skin.

 

WAXING AND SUGARING COSTS

 

It all depends on where you reside and which regions are being treated. Small areas can be sugared for $15-$20, but bigger areas can cost upwards of $100. Waxing can cost anywhere from $15 to $90, depending on the type of wax you choose.

 

IS THERE ANY FOLLOW-UP CARE?

 

For at least 24 hours following your treatment, keep your skin protected from the sun and hot objects like baths and saunas. In the event that you’ve had a bikini or sugar wax, you may also wish to put off some down-there activity for a few days.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *