Getting the softest and smoothest skin is about more than what you put on it; it can also be achieved by what you remove… as in hair. Skin without the hair barrier on places like arms, legs and even your face can make it easier for products to penetrate and make those products even more effective.
Traditionally, millions of people remove hair from the larger extremities. In recent years, the practice of dermaplaning (removing hair from the face with a scalpel) has gained popularity. The most common way to remove hair is with a razor (some people even use it on their faces) or with wax. But a gentler alternative is the use of sugar.
While sugaring is not new in terms of historical practice (it can be traced back to the 1900’s), it is steadily gaining mainstream popularity as a less painful – but equally effective – alternative to waxing.
Sugar paste is made by melting sugar, water and some sort of preservative (typically citric acid). The simplicity of the ingredients makes it incredibly sustainable. It can be dissolved easily and washed away, making it a cinch to clean up after a session (or even a few mistakes).
Like waxing, sugaring can be done on any part of the body. While it can be a little tough to manage initially, sugaring is easy to master both in the professional sense and at home. An increasing number of companies are selling home sugaring kits, complete with before and after care. While home sugaring does come with a bit of a learning curve, it is possible to master this technique:
-Apply the sugar paste against the hair growth
-Remove the paste quickly in the direction of the natural hair growth
In the event of a mistake (like the sugar paste gets stuck), simply apply warm water to the area to dissolve the paste, dry the area and start again. Unlike waxing, skin recovery time is very quick (less than 24 hours) because less trauma has been done to the skin. Keep the area clean and moisturized after you’re done, and enjoy smooth skin for up to 4 weeks! You may notice a difference with how quickly and easily your skin products penetrate, which means you’ll need to use less product to get the best results.
Happy Sugaring!