Sugaring 101

Sugaring hair removal, an ancient middle-eastern practice uses an all natural paste or gel made from food-derived ingredients like sugar, water, and lemon juice to remove the hair follicle from the root. The results can last up to six weeks. While there are many recipes, only natural ingredients are used in real recipe. It's also been called sugar waxing, although not a correct term, because it's done very similar to waxing.

How Does it Work?

The two types of sugaring, using the paste and gel are performed differently. Here's how:

• The paste. Considered the traditional technique, a warmed thick mixture is applied first in the opposite direction of hair growth and then in the direction of hair growth using the hands. It's then flicked off in the in the direction of hair growth. See this sugaring technique performed.
• The gel. Performed similarly to waxing, the gel is applied in the direction of hair growth and removed in the opposite direction.

  Learn more about these differences: Sugar Wax Vs Sugar Paste

  The Pros

  1. Someone experienced can do sugaring quickly with the paste. Large amounts of hair can be taken out at once, and finished faster than even waxing. With most waxes, you have to apply them to a limited area- remove, go to your next area- remove and so forth. With sugaring you can speed things up by applying the paste to a very large area, and it won't dry out, even if you take it off in smaller sections.
  2. Easy clean up. Both the paste and gel are water soluble, meaning you can clean off any residue left on the skin with plain water, unlike regular wax.
  3. Sugar right in your own home. Entire sugaring hair removal kits, supplies can be bought online, or you can whip your paste at home. (Be aware of conditions or circumstances in which you shouldn't sugar, and follow all instructions).
  4. Sugar paste can be applied over missed hairs. The paste is very gentle and can be put right over an area that was just sugared but missed some hairs, without fear of much irritation.
  5. Temporary results can turn into permanent. Over time, frequent sugaring can cause the hair follicle to become damaged, and stop growing hair.
  
  

  The Cons

  1. It's hard to find a pro that does technique using the paste. Some salons and spas use a wax that has been mixed with sugar, and advertise it as sugaring- but it isn't the same. Other places do use the gel, but few placed (compared to waxing) use the paste.
  2. Getting just the right consistency can be tricky. If you make your own paste at home, you'll have it get it just right for the paste to hold on to the hair.
  3. Some hair growth is needed. 1/16 of an inch is needed when using the traditional technique with the paste, which is about 2-5 days of hair growth after shaving. Using the gel requires 1/4 inch of hair growth.
  4. Lack of knowledge or cleanliness can lead to disaster. If contraindications(circumstances or conditions when you shouldn't get sugaring) are simply unknown or ignored, skin could end up extremely red, and even become scabby. Salons or spas not adhering to safe and sanitary procedures could give a client a skin infection, or even a disease.
  
  

  Ouch Factor

  Okay, it's still pulling out hair from the root, but most people find it less painful than waxing. Sugaring doesn't stick to the skin as much as waxing, which means less irritation. The upper lip, chest, bikini and genital areas rank as the highest pain offenders. If you find someone experienced that uses the traditional technique using the paste, the discomfort is less because hair is removed in the natural direction of its growth (as opposed to waxing, which removes hair against hair growth).
  

  Sugaring Hair Removal Costs

  At Home: Kits cost anywhere from $10 - $40. But you can make your own sugar paste for a couple of dollars with all natural ingredients. (Get recipe and instructions).

  Professional: Sugaring hair removal is generally more expensive than waxing because it's not as commonly found. The price will also depend on where the facility is located, and type of salon or spa. A 15% - 20% gratuity on your total bill is customary and suggested.

  Face:

  • Eyebrow (both eyebrows, including in-between) $10 - $50
  • Lip (skin right above upper lip) $10 - $25
  • Sides of Face (side burn area) $10 - $18
  • Chin $10 - $25
  Body:
  • Underarms $15 - $40
  • Chest $35 - $120
  • Shoulders $40 - $55
  • Full Arm (wrist to shoulder- both arms) $35 - $80
  • Half Arm (wrist to elbow or elbow to shoulder- both arms) $40 - $60
  • Back $50 - $110
  • Bikini $30 - $75
  • Brazilian Bikini $60 - $110
  • Half Leg (ankle to knee or knee to thighs, not including bikini- both legs) $30 - $55
  • Full Leg (ankle to thighs, not including bikini- both legs) $55 - $100

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