I’m writing this article in an Uber, straight out from a spa treatment session with my girlfriends. As a part of this session, my girls and I had to decide if we wanted to go for a waxing or sugaring treatment. Long story short, I did none of the above and the whole time, I just kept thinking of how I needed to write this article. For me, for my girlfriends, for the culture, and for you, of course.
Hair growth is inevitable, and no matter how slow or fast yours might be what we all have in common is that eventually, it creeps out on you. You stare down at your legs or lady bits and realize “I really do need to get all this hair removed”. Of course there’s always the plain option of shaving, but some other times we just need it more perfect, long-lasting and bump-free, if you know what I mean.
So the big question becomes, “to wax or to sugar out all this hair?”
Let me help you with this tough decision, happy to!
Waxing-
Waxing is a hair removal process that involves covering the hairy portion you intend to get off with a sticky substance called wax, which sticks to the hair on your body and is then removed or pulled out from the hair follicle. This way, the waxed area looks as clear as you can imagine and you wouldn’t have to deal with hair growth on your vag for at least 4-6 weeks – sounds glorious, doesn’t it? well, depending on how fast your body hair grows.
You can wax almost any part of your body. From your legs, arms, back, pubic hair, eyebrows, and even your facial areas. If you don’t feel comfortable with the hair on your body, wax it sister. There are two main types of wax; hard and soft wax. Both will help in removing unwanted hair, but their methods are quite different. Soft wax requires strips for removal, while hard wax hardens on its own and doesn’t require strips.
Soft wax is a better option if you want to shave larger areas like your legs, while hard wax is better for smaller, sensitive areas (like your vag/bikini line area). Soft wax requires a waxing strip to help remove the wax and hair from your skin. The way it works is, you place these strip(s) on the body part, and then peel back in a quick movement to remove the hair. I wouldn’t lie to you, it just might be painful.
Hard wax on the other hand, allows the thick wax mixture to be applied with no cloth or paper and then removed when it hardens. It’s pretty easy to remove at that point and is definitely less painful. Hard wax is also a better option for sensitive skin.
Sugaring-
If you prefer a more organic approach to getting hair off your skin, this method is for you.
Sugaring is an all-natural hair removing process where a sugaring paste is applied to the hair on your skin, but unlike waxing, sugaring pulls less on the skin while still effectively removing the hair. This makes it far less painful and preferable to regular waxing.
Sugaring is an organic paste made up of only sugar, lemon juice, and water. It’s the most gentle option for the skin.
Sugaring Vs Waxing-
Sugaring and Waxing as hair removal processes date back to a long time, and both have their Pros and Cons. They are both pretty great options because they both remove hair from it’s root, unlike shaving which isn’t as brave to go beyond the surface. With all of these similarities, there are still reasons why you just might want to pick one above the other.
So, how different are these two hair removal methods? Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions:
How painful is it?
Sugaring is less painful than waxing because it only sticks to the hair and pulls it out from the root, also causing less irritation. Waxing on the other hand, hurts like hell. I’ll say it hurts more because the wax sticks to the skin and the hair it’s removing.
What are the ingredients?
Sugaring is a typical mixture containing sugar, lemon, honey, and water. Waxing on the other hand is a bit more complicated as it contains beeswax, oils, and resin amongst others.
Can I do it at home?
Yes, Sugaring is totally something you can try at home.
All you need is a pan, 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of water .
- Next, pour in the sugar into a pan and add the liquids.
- Place the pan on medium heat and try not to stir, as caramel crystalizes easily. Focus on the pan, and give it a few minutes.
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Done? Okay.
- Once the mixture has a warm honey color, pull out the pan from the heat.
Once it’s cool to touch, dip your hands in a bowl of water to get it slightly damp. - Take a scoop of the mixture and knead it by stretching and folding.
- Make sure your skin is clean, oil and lotion free.
- Scoop and rest the mixture against your skin, using your fingers to spread in the direction against hair growth.
- The cornstarch/baby powder comes in to absorb any excess moisture.
- Keep using the same ball of mixture until it isn’t sticky anymore, then start with a new one.
- Repeat this until you’re satisfied with the result, clean up any stickies left on your skin and take note of post-appointment tips.
Waxing can also be done at home. However, it might take a little more preparation to make your own wax. You can always save yourself the stress and buy the pre-made waxing strips. It’s pretty easy from there.
How long does it last?
About 3-4 weeks for Sugaring, and about 4-6 weeks for Waxing.
Side effects?
With Sugaring, you may experience irritation and itching immediately after your sugar waxing, but these side effects are pretty common. With Waxing, you’ll experience pain (you can’t run from this one), and you may experience redness and irritation, which is the most common side effect.
Sis, how much do they cost?
Sugaring is relatively more expensive than Waxing because it is more time-consuming. If you decide to Wax in a beauty parlor or spa, then you should probably work with a budget of NGN 10,000 – NGN12,000 (Based on Lagos state prices)
Can my skin handle it?
Sugaring is better for all skin and hair types. Yes, it might cause a little irritation but it is proven as the best for sensitive skin types. Waxing can cause irritability on sensitive skin. Doctors/Therapists will advise that if you notice redness or bumps after waxing, then your skin is probably too sensitive for it. Sugaring is a more organic method, so if any part of your body is heat-sensitive or prone to breakouts after waxing, please stick with sugaring.
What do I need to do pre-appointment?
For sugaring:
- Exfoliate your skin
- Minimize caffeine and alcohol
- Wear loose clothing
For Waxing:
- Shower
- Exfoliate your skin
- Take a deep breath
What do I need to do post-appointment?
For sugaring:
- Avoid shaving or tweezing
- Avoid activities that might make you sweat
For Waxing:
- Avoid tight fits
- Avoid excessive activities for about 24 hours after your wax appointment.
What if I’m on my period and I want to wax/sugar my bikini line?
For sugaring: You can still get sugared. However, your skin might get extra-sensitive. Hello, hormonal fluctuations.
For Waxing: It’s absolutely fine to wax too as long as you’re using a tampon/menstrual cup instead of a pad.
What if I have piercings/tattoos down there?
For sugaring: It is best to remove genital piercings before the sugaring process, and if you have a tattoo, sugaring might just help exfoliate the area and make your ink look brighter.
For Waxing: It works too but bear in mind that the piercing must be fully healed. Sometimes, it takes up to a year for certain piercings to completely close up, so be sure before you book that appointment.
So which should I go for?
Sugaring is all natural, so it’s great for people who may have allergies to some ingredients or only just want natural ingredients on their body – It’s the more gentle option for the skin. All in all, sugaring is better for sensitive skin.
As for me, next time I book that spa session with my girls, I’ll most likely pick sugaring. I really do have sensitive skin, and zero tolerance for pain – as a babygirl.
However, it’s all up to you now.
Which one of these two methods do you think you’ll be trying next?