Sugaring or waxing: what to choose?

Which is better: sugaring or waxing? It is not easy to answer this question, since both methods do an excellent job with unwanted vegetation on the body. Let’s try to get to the bottom of the truth, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

What is the difference between sugaring and waxing?

In cosmetology, there are two excellent depilation methods that can quickly and permanently remove unwanted hair on any part of the face or body. The essence of both methods is to apply a sticky substance to the depilated area and then remove it along with unwanted hair. Simple and brilliant. What is the difference between sugaring and waxing?

The fundamental difference between wax and sugar depilation, in addition to the actual material used, is this:

  • when shugaring, sugar paste (sugar, water, lemon) is applied against hair growth, and removed according to their growth;

  • When waxing, melted warm wax is applied in the direction of hair growth, and removed against their growth.

Of course, there are many other nuances. To help decide which is better, sugar paste or wax, we will try to understand these nuances.

Sugaring or wax: comparison

Let’s look at sugaring and wax in comparison in all respects.

Duration of the procedure

Which is faster: waxing or sugaring? Definitely, wax wins at this point, since with its help the hair is removed in one fell swoop (or rather with a jerk) from a large area, for example, from the lower leg. Sugar paste is also applied to a large area, but it is removed in short segments (3–5 cm). In addition, the paste may not capture all the hairs the first time and the process will need to be repeated.

Morbidity

Some consider the shugaring procedure less painful, since the composition is torn off the skin manually in small steps, moreover, according to hair growth. Others, on the contrary, prefer wax in this matter, which removes a large number of hairs at once, with lightning speed – a sharp pain immediately subsides. And execution takes less time. So, perhaps, doing hair removal with sugar is still a little more painful than waxing.

During shugaring, sugar paste is applied against hair growth.

Costs

In the “economic” plan, sugaring wins: sugar does not need to be heated (if you use the finished product), the paste is applied and removed manually. When waxing, the wax must first be heated to a liquid state, so it is advisable to purchase a special wax melter, but this can also be done in a microwave or in a water bath. Wax is applied with a spatula, removed with special strips of fabric or paper.

That is, waxing requires more additional materials, which is important for those who depilate at home. However, there are a lot of waxes, there are varieties that are removed by hand, but they are only suitable for small areas with coarse hair. Strips with cold, ready-to-use wax for home depilation are also sold, but it also has drawbacks – it may not cope with hard short hairs.

Efficiency

Which is more effective – sugaring or waxing? Both wax and sugar paste remove hair equally cleanly if used skillfully. As a material, wax is easier to work with, it does not melt in the hands, it removes all the hairs the first time. The main thing is to warm up to the desired temperature.

Sugaring is more difficult to perform, requires good technical skills to get the job done quickly and cleanly. The paste is able to capture even very short hairs only a couple of millimeters long. But wax copes better with tough vegetation. Sugaring has a peeling effect, as it removes dead skin particles of the epidermis, wax does not.

In both cases, the hair is removed from the root and the result lasts up to 4 weeks. So in terms of efficiency, the score is probably equal.

Probability of irritation

When shugaring, the likelihood of irritation is less:

  • when shugaring, hair is removed in the course of their growth, there is less likelihood of microdamages, especially with awkward movement;

  • wax is a petrochemical product, sugaring paste is based on natural sugar, but an individual intolerance reaction can never be ruled out;

  • wax can be overheated and burned, while sugar paste is heated to body temperature before use in the hands.

As for the problem of ingrown hairs, it can be encountered in both cases – wax or sugar, it does not matter. Much depends on the subsequent care.

However, our expert Maria Nevskaya warns that “if you are prone to folliculitis, waxes are recommended, since after shugaring there is a risk of not completely washing off the sugar particles and causing an inflammatory process.”

What to choose – waxing or shugaring?

As you already understood, each depilation method, whether it be sugaring or waxing, has its pros and cons. So it’s quite difficult to unambiguously answer the question of which is better – shugaring or waxing.

The choice depends on personal experience, as well as the tasks, the epilation area and the quality of the hair.

For waxing, additional materials will be required.

Consider the options.

  • Depilation of large areas (legs, arms), in our opinion, is better to do with wax than with sugar. For these purposes, wax in cartridges or ready-made strips of cold wax are suitable.

  • Sugaring or film (aka polymeric) wax is suitable for the face, which, like sugar paste, can be applied in any direction and removed manually.

  • With hard hair, for example, in the bikini area, film wax does better.

  • Film wax is suitable for short coarse hair, shugaring is suitable for fluffy and weak hair.

“It is not recommended to switch immediately to wax after shugaring, because there is a risk of developing folliculitis, but you can switch from wax to shugaring,” says Maria Nevskaya.

Skin care after depilation with wax or sugar paste

For skin care after depilation with wax or sugar, no matter at home or in the salon, there is a special regulation.

  1. First day. The depilated area should not be wetted, or at least cleansers should not be used on it to give the skin a chance to restore the broken protective barrier. After depilation of the armpits, deodorant should not be applied for a day.

  2. Second day. You can start moisturizing with soothing and restorative products with a light, non-nourishing texture.

  3. In the future, once a week, apply scrubs to prevent ingrown hairs.

  4. In the bikini and underarm area, it is recommended to use specialized products to slow down hair growth on a regular basis.

In our review, we have collected suitable, from our point of view, body products: scrubs and moisturizing care in a light texture.

Body Scrub “Precious Beauty Scrub”, Garnier

Scrub with macadamia, almond, argan and rose oils contains argan nut shells and a mineral component that gently exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving it soft and smooth, and even with a pleasant aroma.

Grooming Solutions Exfoliating Body Soap, Kiehl’s

Scrub soap is a very convenient format. In particular, this treatment with praxis nourishing oil perfectly exfoliates dead cells with the help of jojoba seeds and pumice. We did not find contraindications for the use of this remedy by women.

Melting body milk with bifido complex and aloe vera, Garnier

Moisturizing light milk with aloe vera and bifido complex gently soothes the skin and strengthens its protective barrier.

Multi-repairing spray for children and adults Cicaplcast B5, La Roche-Posay

Spray with panthenol, mannose, copper, manganese, madecassoside and La Roche-Posay thermal water helps the skin to calm down, recover, relieve discomfort, absorbs instantly.

Body milk against dryness Lait Corporel, Biotherm

Milk with thermal plankton extract and vitamin E has a lightweight texture, so it is easily distributed over the surface of the skin, absorbed quickly, moisturizes and softens well. The citrus scent gives a feeling of freshness. The 400 ml volume is enough for a long time.

Summary results

What is better to remove hair – wax or sugaring?

Both wax and sugar paste cope with depilation with equal efficiency if the master takes up the matter. However, it is more difficult to work with sugar paste out of habit, so we recommend choosing wax for self-depilation at home.

What hurts more, wax or shugaring?

None of the methods can be called painless, since in both cases the hair is pulled out by the root. In our opinion, sugaring is a little more painful, since the hair is removed in small sections and this can take quite a long time, and with waxing – in one large area, which means that the pain is not extended in time. However, if you do not observe the temperature regime, you can burn yourself with hot wax, but it is not the method that is to blame, but negligence and non-compliance with safety precautions.

Which procedure gives the longest lasting result?

Both sugaring and waxing remove hair from the root, so in both cases the result lasts three weeks or longer, depending on the individual hair growth rate.

What is the best for depilation of the bikini area?

Coarse hair is characteristic of this area, and wax, in particular polymer, does better with them. It grips the hair well without sticking to the skin and can be applied and removed in any direction.

 

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