What Lasts Longer Waxing or Sugaring?
July 20, 2020

Even though the origins of sugaring go as far back as Ancient Egypt, this natural hair removal solution goes hand in hand with waxes when we think of luxury treatments to remove unwanted hairs at the salon. The main difference between waxes and sugar pastes rests, unsurprisingly, in their composition: Waxes are made with beeswax, resin, oils, and certain additives, while sugaring paste is made mixing sugar, lemon, and hot water until the sugar dissolves. This is why, when placed next to each other, sugaring pastes serve as a natural alternative that's helpful to many people with sensitivity issues. Both methods are safe and effective, and each of them provides certain practical advantages that the other lacks. The preference of one over another usually stems from the client's priorities during the treatment. Here's what you need to know:
What They Have in Common
- 3 to 6 Weeks between Sessions: Let's start by addressing one of the most attractive advantages given by waxes and sugaring paste: In both cases, the effects remain on the skin for no less than 3 weeks and can last even longer when the skin is healthy and the client follows a regular waxing regime. Since both waxes and sugaring pastes are capable of taking the hairs from the roots, they affect the follicles in similar ways, hindering their ability to create new hairs.
- 1/4 -1/2 inch of Hair Length: Both techniques involve nearly the same waiting period after the hairs start regrowing on the skin. In both cases, all the hairs need to be long enough so the wax /paste can adhere to all of them. Because sugaring pastes can be reapplied in the same area, they are often effective of hairs that are 1/16 of an inch long.
- Hair Types for Each Treatment: Both waxes and sugaring paste are highly effective at removing all types of hair, no matter how dense or coarse. Soft body waxes, however, are usually the most popular choice to treat areas where the hair is wilder.
- Similar Side-Effects: For both sugaring and waxing, the aesthetician's expertise is essential to avoid straining the skin to the point of damage. Irritation, redness, swollen skin, and infections are potential results from a subpar waxing/sugaring treatment.
- Similar Aftercare: The client must adhere to the same rules during the first 48 hours after the session. In both waxing and sugaring, the skin goes through a mild exfoliating effect that makes it sensitive to sunlight, heat sources, chlorine, saltwater, friction, perspiration, artificial lotions, and cosmetics.
- Specialized Service: Since sugaring pastes only require sugar, water, and lemon, many people believe that it makes for the ideal homemade remedy to remove unwanted hairs. Similar to waxes, the perfect consistency of sugaring paste takes a lot of work and the application of the paste demands a specific technique. While some people might be willing to waste ingredients on multiple attempts, they will also be subjecting their skin to enough damage to cause bumps, irritation, and ingrown hairs.

What Sets them Apart
- Application: Waxes are always spread in the direction of hair growth and pulled against it. By contrast, sugaring paste is applied against the direction of hair growth and removed in the opposite direction.
- Accessories: Soft waxes require the aid of a muslin strip to be removed and, even when hard waxes can be removed by hand, they are always applied with the help of a wooden spatula. In sugaring, the paste can be applied and removed by hand, as long as the esthetician is familiar with the right technique to do it.
- Skin Types for Each Treatment: While there are specialized wax formulas to treat skins with sensitivity issues, waxes can still pose a bigger risk to them. Sugaring pastes are among the most reliable options to remove hairs from sensitive skin.
- Pain Levels: Since traditional waxes adhere to the skin and are removed in the opposite direction of hair growth, they usually cause more discomfort. This is one of the reasons they should be applied only once on each portion of the skin. Sugaring and special hard waxes don't adhere to the top layer of skin, so they are less painful. Sugaring in particular is known for being one of the gentlest methods around. Still, your pain threshold will play a big role during the process.
- Temperatures: Waxes need to be heated to reach the right consistency, even when they have a low melting point. They must also be removed as soon as the wax hardens on the skin. Sugaring pastes can be applied at room temperature without losing their consistency.
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