What Is Sugaring?

Sugaring is a type of hair removal process that became popular in the early 1980s. It is similar to waxing. The substance traditionally used in sugaring is a paste made of natural ingredients.
Other names for sugaring include Persian waxing, sugar waxing and body sugaring.

History

The sugaring method dates to ancient times (around 1900 B.C.) in Egypt. It could also be found in North Africa and East Africa, in Arabic cultures. In 1984 sugaring was brought to the United Kingdom.

Features

The ingredients used to make sugaring paste include sugar, water and lemon juice. It can also include molasses, cornstarch and honey. Commercial brands also can include gum Arabic, citric acid and guar gum.
The paste is mixed and heated to room temperature. The sugaring paste is applied to the hair, using either a hand or an applicator such as a tongue depressor. Paper or an absorbent cloth is smoothed over the sugaring paste and removed, following the direction the hair grows.

Theories/Speculation

The repetition of the sugaring will sometimes reduce eventual hair growth. This is due to the sugaring paste damaging the hair follicle when removing the hair.

Benefits

Sugaring keeps hair from growing back for four to six weeks, longer than shaving. When executed properly sugaring has a smaller probability of ingrown hairs than other hair-removal techniques.
Though it stings, sugaring is generally considered a less painful hair removal process than waxing. When properly made, sugar paste doesn't stick to the skin like wax does. Sugaring paste is also easier to clean up than wax.

Considerations

Sugar wax is also marketed for sugaring, and is a wax resin with sugar in it. Sugar wax is used with the same method as waxing, by going against the hair growth.
Creating the exact consistency for reliable hair removal can take practice.

Warnings

If improperly executed, sugaring can damage skin. Infection and disease are also possible when sugaring isn't performed properly.

Misconceptions

The term "sugaring" can also refer to the maple syrup season in the Northwestern United States and eastern Canada.

Resources

• Sugaring Hair Removal Recipe