If you’re desperate for hair-free skin but can’t bear the thought of a wax, allow us to introduce you to an alternative hair removal treatment that could totally change your beauty regime forever. Sugaring.
Sugaring is being touted by experts as a simpler, less painful way to remove unwanted body hairs (if you want to keep yours, we are totally here for that).
We called on expert Bridget O’Keefe, MUA and Founder of Blush + Blow salon, to share everything you need to know about sugaring. You’re most welcome.
WHAT IS SUGARING?
It is the act of pulling hair out of the roots using a gel made from sugar, lemon and hot water.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SUGARING?
Sugaring doesn’t stick to skin, it only binds to the hair, whereas wax pulls your skin when removing hair. This makes sugaring especially good if you have sensitive skin because it causes less irritation and isn’t as painful as waxing. You can also easily clean up after sugaring by simply using water to rinse off, as all of the ingredients in the mix are natural, so they dissolve.
ARE THERE ANY DANGERS OF SUGARING?
If you’re looking for the best results possible, you need to see a trained beauty therapist because they know the right consistency of the paste. It’s essential to get the technique right, too. If your skin isn’t held tightly, it could result in bruising. Attempting sugaring at home can also lead to painful ingrown hairs, infection and redness due to lack of knowledge/cleanliness, whereas in a salon, you can rest assured they are working with sanitary and safe procedures. As with most types of hair removal, you should avoid hot water, gym activity, a post-workout sauna and body scrubs for 48 hours.
HOW SHOULD SUGARING BE DONE PROPERLY?
1. Yourtherapist should offer you a wipe to clean your skin. All serums and lotions, no matter how long ago you applied them, should be removed from the skin. This prevents the sugar paste from sliding off.
2. Next, they’ll lightly dust your skin with baby powder and softly massage it in. Applying too much interferes with the hair removal.
3. The sugar paste is warmed and will be soft so it spreads easily and evenly over your body. It will be applied in the opposite direction of growth, with slight pressure so it sticks well.
4. Next, your therapist will use a fast, flicking motion to remove the paste in the same direction of the hair. Removing hair in the same direction of growth helps to avoid breaking the hair follicle either above or below the skin’s surface. This means, you get longer-lasting hair-free results and avoid pesky ingrown hairs.
5. Once finished, the area is rinsed with soap and water.
