Sugaring (epilation)
Sugaring, sugar waxing or Persian waxing is a method of epilation.[1]
It has been in use since 1900 BC.[citation needed]
Sugaring can be less painful than waxing, because the substrate sticks to the hair without attaching to the skin, may be applied at room temperature or heated to a lukewarm temperature, preventing burning.[2][3] Nevertheless, there is some risk of skin irritation, sensitivity, and reaction.[3] The Simply Hair Removal website advises, "Of course it hurts to pull out hair however you do it, but many find sugaring less painful than waxing."[4]
Sugaring paste
Sugaring paste can be prepared with common household food items, such as water, sugar and lemon juice,[3][5] and cornstarch,[6] honey or molasses. Getting the consistency correct takes some practice for most users. Pre-made sugar paste is also sold under many brand names, and both professional and retail versions are available.[3] It may contain guar gum in addition to the other ingredients.[5] Since the sugar solution is water-based and water-soluble, sugaring is easily cleaned up with warm water.[3][5]
The Studio Smooth website states that sugaring is preferable to waxing, because the former has no resins, except for guar.[5]
Standard recipe
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The most common recipe for sugaring wax is as follows (units by volume):
- 1 unit of sugar
- 1/8 unit of vinegar, or lemon/lime/orange juice (either fresh or from a bottle, not from concentrate)
- 1/8 unit of water
The ingredients are heated and mixed until they are completely liquid, after this the liquid changes from seemingly white to a light, gold-like color (while being heated). The solution is not allowed to become too dark. Darkness and hardness are controlled by the heating to specific temperatures. For a thick paste, the solution is heated to 118°C; for a gel, it is heated to 121°C.
When completed, the solution is left to cool to room temperature.
Process
In sugaring, either a "heated sugar mixture" can be covered with a strip of fabric, or spread directly on the skin.[2][3]
With the strip method, the area to be epilated is typically dusted with powder (commercial or corn starch) prior to application of the sugaring solution, which is spread on with a spatula, tongue depressor, or by hand.[6] After the sticky paste is applied to the skin in the same direction of hair growth, a strip of porous cloth or paper is pressed into the preparation, and "lifted" or "zipped off" in the opposite direction of hair growth, taking hairs with it.[2][3][4][6]
References
- ^ Tannir, Dania; Leshin, Barry (2001). "Sugaring: An Ancient Method of Hair Removal". Dermatologic Surgery. 27 (3): 309–311. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2001.00175.x.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b c "Hairfacts definitions - S". Retrieved 11 April 2009.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g "Sugaring vs waxing". Splendicity.com. Retrieved 11 April 2009.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Sugaring or Sugar Waxing". SimplyHairRemoval.com. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Your Questions". StudioSmooth.com. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
- ^ a b c "Sugaring". Spaindex.com. 11 April 2009.
External links
- Bond, Annie. "Natural Hair Removal: Ancient Egyptian Art of Body Sugaring". Care2.com. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
- "Sugaring Hair Removal Paste Recipe". Beauty-Fitness-Savvy.com. Retrieved 13 January 2010.