What is Sugaring?

February 12, 2021

in collaboration with CLEO Sugaring
@cleo.skincare

Hair removal (if that’s like, one of your things) can feel like a pain in every sense of the word. Shaving is tedious and time-consuming; waxing can be expensive and painful. But there's another option out there that’s been around for literally thousands of years that's gaining popularity with a shift toward organic, holistic skincare routines.

Enter sugaring, a natural, not-quite-so painful, and eco-friendly option to remove face and body hair. One of the best aspects about sugaring is that no matter your skin type, hair type or gender, sugaring is an accessible, relatively painless way to remove body hair.

It might sound like something you do in the kitchen, but this self care ritual is a natural, environmentally friendly hair removal option. While both sugaring and waxing are safe and viable body hair removal methods that remove hair from the root, the key difference lies in the ingredients and technique. Keep reading to learn how and why sugaring is a safe, natural, and effective form of body hair removal that will leave you feeling silky, smooth, and confident.

Ultimately, if you decide to remove your body hair for whatever reason, how you choose to remove your body hair is up to you!

Sugaring is the oldest form of hair removal, dating back to 1900 BC and originating in Egypt. It's rumored that Cleopatra herself used to sugar.

How does sugaring work?

Sugaring, like waxing, removes hair by the root, resulting in two to three weeks of smooth, hair-free skin. When you remove hair from the root, it disrupts the hair follicle, leading to a reduction in hair growth, finer hair growth over time, and minimal breakage when the hair is removed.

So sugaring is like waxing?

Kind of. Sugar paste is heated, but not quite as hot as wax, and is allowed to cool before being applied directly to skin so you won’t have to worry about burning your skin. Most salons will ensure that the wax is a suitable temperature, but you should always tell your technician if the wax is too hot!

But there's another key difference between sugaring and waxing besides the ingredients and temperature: the direction in which hair is pulled.

With waxing, the mixture is applied in the same direction as hair growth and then removed in the opposite direction of hair growth, which, if done by an inexperience waxing technician, could cause hair breakage, and damage skin. Sugaring is reversed — the cooled sugar paste is applied against the direction of hair growth and removed in the direction of hair growth.

What’s in a sugar recipe?

A sugar recipe paste is hypoallergenic and biodegradable, using three simple ingredients: sugar, lemon and water. It may be preferred over waxing because some salons use wax that might introduce harmful chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin.

Also, sugaring paste doesn’t adhere to the skin, so it only removes hair. Waxing, on the other hand, can adhere to your skin and cause more irritation.

How long does my hair have to be to remove it?

One of the arguments for sugaring is that you can remove shorter hair. You don’t have to wait for your hair to grow out before removing it again. Hair only has to be 1/16th of an inch (about the size of a grain of rice) whereas your hair usually has to be at least a quarter of an inch to wax it off.

Are there any benefits of sugaring off my body hair?

Sugaring can help even your skin tone as it gently exfoliates dead skin cells with every treatment. The paste adheres to the dead skin cells sitting on the surface of the skin, removing them with the hair to reveal a smoother surface.

Because sugar cannot harbor or breed bacteria and the sugar content is so high in the paste, it makes sugaring very sanitary. There is also no "double dipping” or risk of cross contamination during the treatment either. If you go to a waxing salon, you should always double check that your technician doesn't double dip, either!

How often should I get sugared?

It’s recommended to come in every 3 to 6 weeks, depending on how quickly your hair grows. Overtime, you’ll begin to see finer hair growth and you’ll be able to wait longer periods of time before going in for another treatment, which saves you time and money. What’s not to love about this sweet treatment?

Anything I should do to prepare for my sugaring appointment?

Before you book your appointment, remember to exfoliate and moisturize before (and after) each appointment to avoid pesky, painful ingrown hairs.

We’ll soak in a Tonic bath before an appointment to soften hair and skin then slather on some soothing Salve immediately after any sort of body hair removal. If any ingrowns do pop up, we’ll use the Tonic concentrate as a spot treatment.

What should I do after my sugaring appointment?

It’s important to exfoliate after a sugar wax to free the skin of excess buildup of dead skin and promote circulation to heal ingrown hairs more quickly. Just be sure to wait until after day three post sugaring so you don’t aggravate or damage sensitive skin. Be gentle when using a physical exfoliant like Cleo’s organic Walnut and Mint Exfoliating Polish or an exfoliation mitt.

Recommended Rituals Pre & Post Hair Removal

Moisturize & Protect Your pH

A soothing blend of Coconut oil, Jojoba, and Beeswax melts into skin to instantly address vulvovaginal dryness, itching, and irritation. With regular use, this antioxidant rich balm helps maintain a balanced pH to prevent future irritation.

SHOP SALVE

Prevent & Eradicate Ingrown Hairs

Soak in a Tonic bath between appointments to maintain moisture and use as a spot treatment on ingrown hairs. Antimicrobial Tea Tree Oil eliminates excess sebum in the pores to prevent ingrown hairs while Sweet Orange and Cedar Wood stimulates blood flow to speed up the healing process if you happen to get any.

SHOP TONIC

Calm Irritation

For hands free relief, spritz our water based face and body mist all over. Bitter Orange is a natural AHA that gently exfoliates without drying out sensitized skin while Rose Water high in polyphenols soothes irritation and encourages healing.

SHOP HYDORSOL

Walnut and Mint Exfoliating Polish Jar Surrounded by Leaves and Walnuts

Exfoliate Between Appointments

Slough, buff, and polish skin with CLEO's custom blend of super fine walnut shells, Organic Aloe and Jojoba to encourage natural cell turnover for silky, soft, and moisturized skin.

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