SUGARING HAIR REMOVAL

First a sugar-based substance is applied to the skin, then a strip of reusable cotton cloth is pressed into the substance. After a few seconds the cotton strip is quickly pulled away, taking the hairs with it.

Advantages

InexpensiveFast form of body hair removalCan be performed at homeGood for large areas of the bodySugaring can be applied to any colour of skinCan be applied to any colour of hairSugar solution can be home madeEasily cleaned

Disadvantages

MessyPotential for hairs to break off and not be completely removedConsistent removal is difficult to get correctPotential for skin infection or irritationSome areas of the body are difficult to do yourself

Background

Sugaring hair removal originated in Egypt and has been around for thousands of years. It is very similar to waxing but it has some significant advantages over waxing. For example:

The sugar solution only sticks to the hairs, whereas the wax substance sticks to the hair and skin, causing additional discomfort. The solution is applied warm rather than hot like wax, minimising discomfort.Sugars contain natural substances and are gentle on the skin, whereas the wax substance contains chemicals which may irritate the skin.Solutions are easy to clean away with water, whereas wax is more difficult to remove due to its petroleum additives.

Treatment

Sugaring can be performed on all areas of the body including eyebrows, upper lip, underarms, legs, arms, chest, stomach, back, and the bikini line. There is 1 exception; men should not perform sugaring on the beard area due to a different root system for these hairs.

The application of a sugary paste is straight forward. The paste is warmed to room temperature and then applied thinly to the skin using a spatula in the direction of the hair growth. Then reusable cotton strips are pressed firmly onto the sugar paste and then pulled back sharply (in the opposite direction to the hair growth), removing the hairs together with the paste.

To obtain the best results, hairs should be at least 1/4 inch or 6 mm long. If the patient has longer hair it should be trimmed to this length. The patient should remove all creams and oils from the skin, towel dry, and then apply talcum powder to ensure the skin is completely dry.

The results usually last between 4 and 6 weeks. Repeated sugaring treatments will often weaken the hair follicle, making it easier to remove hairs over time.

The solution is natural and has healing properties. Some over-the-counter solutions also contain ingredients such as citric acid and Arabic gum. These ingredients will tighten the skin and improve the consistency of the paste, providing a more comfortable experience.

Homemade sugaring solution

This is a brief guide on how to make you own sugar solution. It is simpler than you think, cheaper than waxing, and can be made with household natural ingredients.

First you need to gather half a lemon, a cup of sugar and a quarter cup of honey. Then you mix the lemon and sugar together. Once you've done this you add it to the honey and mix. At this point do not be tempted to eat it as, a) it is very sweet and sickly, and b) it's not going to help remove any hair that way.

Then, put the mixture into the microwave (in a microwaveable bowl) and set on full power for 1 minute. When you remove the solution check its consistency. Give it a stir and see if it is spreadable. If it's very runny then it's too hot – let it cool down first.

When the solution is the consistency of a thick honey then it should be ready to spread. However, always check the solution temperature is not too hot before applying to your skin.

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Source TheHairFacts