Very often people confuse sugaring with waxing, thinking they are the same. But, they are not. Now we should put an end to this age-old debate: sugaring vs waxing – which is better?
Sugaring and waxing are the two very popular methods of hair removal. Both are great compared to using razors, as they leave skin silky and smooth for weeks. These two hair removal methods have different techniques of removing unwanted hair. When you need to choose the right method for you, choose the technique that leaves you with baby smooth skin and doesn’t cause irritation or rash.
Here is everything you need to know before deciding whether to wax or sugar.
Sugaring is a completely natural process. Sugaring paste is made of organic ingredients only: lemon, sugar and water. There are no additives or chemicals involved. One of the key pros of using sugar wax is that it doesn’t cause ingrown hairs and it removes dead skin cells. It is also a great hair removal method for people who have skin allergies.
What Is Waxing?
Waxing is the hair removal method in which the wax is applied to an area of the skin and then pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair follicle growth with cloth strips. Regular waxing removes the hair from its follicle. It is a great way to get rid of unwanted hair but can be very painful. You can use either hard wax like these or soft wax.
Sugaring Vs. Waxing: Which Is Better For You?
Both of these techniques are effective in removing hair from all parts of your body. However, you should consider some factors listed below before opting for sugaring or waxing.
Skin Type
If you have sensitive skin, sugaring is probably the best option for you. This method is gentler than waxing and is great for hard-to-reach areas and parts of your body where you need to remove hairs frequently.
Effectiveness
Traditional waxing removes hair from the root and eventually, the hairs will grow back softer and finer. The sugaring process damages the hair follicle wall, which leads to slower hair regrowth over time but this method might not be as effective as you wish, especially if you used razors a lot in the past.
Click here to learn more about the best safety razors.
Process
The initial steps are the same for both methods – you prep your skin by removing all excess oil with an oil-based cleanser, after which you are ready for the procedure. When waxing, you apply the wax in the direction of the growth of your hair and then pull it off in the opposite direction. You can use either hard wax or soft wax. You should apply the ingrown-hair serum after the waxing process.
When it comes to sugaring, the sugar paste or wax is warmed up in the hand and then applied to the skin in a thin layer in the opposite direction of hair growth. After the session, you can apply a soothing serum to reduce skin irritation.
Pain
Everyone has a different level of pain tolerance. Some people find neither waxing nor sugaring painful but some people say that they are extremely painful, particularly waxing. Since you are pulling hair from the root, it is normal to expect some kind of pain. But, there are always things you can do to minimize the discomfort.
Side Effects
You should expect some irritation after the process. With sugaring, the side effects are minimal. You can expect some slight redness, but it will disappear after a few hours. Since only natural ingredients are used when sugaring, this kind of hair removal is perfect for sensitive skin. For the first few days after the procedure, stay out of the sun!
Quick Comparison Chart
● Lemon juice ● Water | ● Resin ● Beeswax ● Other additives |
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● Removed in the same direction of follicle’s growth pattern | ● Removed against follicle’s growth pattern |
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● Minimal bumps | ● Irritation ● Some ingrown hairs |
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All hair types | ||
How To Prep Tips
Preparation for both of these hair removal processes is the same:
- Grow your hair out to ¼ inches – if the hair is longer, you might have to trim it
- A few days before the procedure, lightly exfoliate the area to remove dead skin cells
- The day before, avoid hot baths, any kind of moisturizing or tanning
- When you come to sugaring salons for the appointment, make sure your skin is clean of essential oils and dry
Post-Hair Removal Care Tips
After the process, keep in mind that your skin is more sensitive and you should take care of it carefully. For the first 24 hours after using the wax, avoid the sun, especially tanning. Also avoid workouts, hot baths and further exfoliation. After 24 hours you can continue with your regular skin care.
Interested in the best wax warmers – read more about them in our review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Downside To Sugaring?
The downside to sugaring is that it can leave some hairs behind. This process is gentle but some people have thicker hair that is harder to remove. Even the best sugar wax sometimes cannot remove coarse hair entirely from the root. It can lead to hair breakage and ingrown hair. And the result is faster regrowth of the hair. Click here to read the sugar wax recipe.
Is Sugaring Less Painful Than Waxing?
Yes, sugaring is considered to be less painful than waxing. The natural mixture that is used for sugaring doesn’t adhere to the skin (like traditional wax). It adheres to the hair and pulls less on the skin. With less pain, as well. This also means that you will have a lot less irritation and less redness.
Click here to read our article about epilator vs waxing vs shaving.
Is Sugaring Permanent?
No, sugaring is not permanent. Learn how to permanently remove body hair here! It is important to follow all the instructions for the proper sugaring using sugar wax to get the best results. As long as your hair is long enough and you are not using aggressive peelings, a sugaring session is an excellent way to get rid of the body hair. After a few sessions, you will notice a decreased hair growth.
Wondering how long sugaring lasts? Find out in our blog post!
Does Sugar Wax Work On Pubic Hair?
Yes, sugar wax works on pubic hair. Sugaring is the hair removal process that easily removes all hair on any part of your body. It is gentle enough for parts of your body where the skin is delicate such as the pubic area and bikini area. Additionally, sugaring is less painful and yields better results than Brazilian wax sessions. Make sure to trim your hair if it is longer than ¼ inches (6 mm).
Want to find the best bikini trimmer? See here.
Does Sugaring Cause Ingrown Hairs?
Yes, sugaring can cause ingrown hairs. Sugaring is proven to be better than waxing when it comes to the problem of ingrown hairs, but it can still cause them. Usually, ingrown hairs can appear about one week after the appointment. On the other hand, sugaring is the best method for cleaning out hair follicles. Nevertheless, sugaring can still cause ingrown hairs.
Read here about how to get rid of ingrown hairs.
Conclusion
Our sugaring vs waxing analysis is over. Both of these methods have their ups and downs, pros and cons. They are both great for removing unwanted hairs and one is a bit less painful than the other. Have you decided which is better for you? Hopefully, we have helped you choose the one that’s right for you! Go ahead and get rid of your unwanted body hair! You deserve the smooth skin you dream of having.
