Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is sugaring?
A: Sugaring is an ancient Middle Eastern hair removal process that uses a natural paste – made of sugar, water, and lemon juice – to remove the hair follicle from the root, making it the oldest, most natural form of hair removal. It contains no chemicals and because it is a blend of natural ingredients, it eliminates the possibility of any harmful side effects. Sugaring is gentle on the skin: the luke-warm (never hot) Sugar Paste adheres to the hair and the water in the mixture hydrates the follicle and only removes the hair, it does not stick to the skin or live skin cells. Unlike waxing, the Sugar Paste is removed in the same direction of the hair growth.
Sugaring is suitable for all skin types and may even improve eczema and psoriasis by removing the top layer of dead skin and encouraging healing of the skin underneath.
There are several other benefits to Sugaring, including:
- Eliminating ingrown hairs and preventing new ones
- Extracting all hair colors and textures
- Gentle on skin allowing for reapplication for missed hairs
- Improved skin tone and texture
- More sanitary than waxing, Sugar paste is never recycled and there is no “double dippingâ€
- Can lead to permanent hair removal
- Water soluble for an easy clean up
Q: What is the difference between Sugaring and waxing?
A: There are several differences:
- Wax has many chemical ingredients while Sugar Paste is 100% natural.
- Wax needs to be heated up to a very high degree in order to become liquefied, causing potential burning, scarring and swelling in the tissues resulting in difficult hair removal. Body Sugar is warm, not hot, and will never burn the skin.
- Wax adheres directly to the skin cells, making it painful and irritating. Sugar won’t stick to skin cells, it removes dead skin cells so it also exfoliates during the process.
- Wax cannot be applied to one area more than once, so a missed spot cannot be corrected. Body Sugar can be used over and over in the same area to remove stubborn hairs.
- Wax contains resin and can break hairs while Sugar surrounds the hair and pulls it out cleaner and easier.
- Wax residue is difficult to remove – chemicals or heavy oils are usually needed. Body Sugar is water soluble and leaves the skin silky and smooth!
Q: Does Sugaring hurt?
A: Unlike waxing, which pulls in the opposite direction of hair growth, Sugaring removes the hair in the natural direction, causing it to be significantly less painful than waxing. In addition, Sugar Paste is lukewarm at its hottest, whereas wax can burn and cause severe irritation to your skin.
However, the first treatment may cause a little irritation if you have been shaving, because the bulb at the base of the hair shaft is enlarged. The more treatments you receive, the weaker the roots get and the easier and less painful it is to remove the hair.
Q: How long does my hair have to be?
A: A huge advantage to Sugaring is that it can remove hair at very short lengths. For best results, we recommend at least 1/8" - 1/4" hair growth – or about 10 days.
Q: How often should I get Sugared?
A: Hair growth is faster for some than others, but our recommendation is every 3 - 6 weeks. As you continue to Sugar, hair growth will slow, become sparse, less coarse, and time between visits can be lengthened.
Q: Can I shave between my scheduled appointments?
A: No. Shaving between Sugaring can disrupt the hair growth and will result in more hair to be removed at your next appointment.
Q: What should I do to prepare for my appointment?
A: For the Bikini Area: Skin should be clean and dry; avoid using powders, sprays, lotions, etc. prior to your appointment.
Regularly hydrating and exfoliating your skin between sugaring treatments is just as important as receiving treatment. Your best results will happen when your skin is healthy.
For the Facial Area: Skin should be clean and dry. If this is your first Facial Sugaring experience, be sure to allow enough time after your appointment for your skin to calm should redness or irritation occur.
Q: Does Sugaring cause ingrown hairs?
A: No. Hair growing over the mouth of the follicle causes ingrown hairs. Improper technique, lack of exfoliation and improper knowledge of skincare can cause them. To prevent ingrown hairs, you should soak three times per week in lukewarm water with a ½ cup of dead sea salts for ten minutes and exfoliate for a few more minutes. Be sure to re-hydrate afterward with lotion.
Q: What is the difference between a Femme Fatale and a Bikini Sugar?
A: A Femme Fatale is the sugaring of all pubic hair; including the inner and outer labia and anal regions. A Bikini Sugar will clean up the top and sides of your bikini line – anything that would show if you were wearing a swimsuit.
Q: Can I still get Sugared if I am using Retin-A or Accutane?
A: No. Any topical cream for acne on your face cannot be mixed with Sugar. However, it is still okay to get other areas done. If you are on Accutane or have been in the last six months, we cannot Sugar you at all since the drug shuts off all of your oil glands. This can cause severe lifting of the skin that could damage and scar your skin.
Q: Is it common to have stubble after Sugaring?
A: If this is your first time being sugared, the stubble that you see are hairs in a different stage than the ones that came out during Sugaring. It’s common to have the hairs in different stages during your first few visits, after that it will get better and better and eventually they will be in the same stage of growth.
Other precautions when Sugaring?
- Sunburned / irritated areas should not be sugared
- Moles cannot be sugared
What to avoid after your appointment:
- Perfumes
- Perspiration
- Scented lotions
- Heat (e.g. hot baths)
- Direct sunlight / tanning beds
- Deodorant (if you had your underarms sugared)