Sugaring, Explained

TL;DR: Sugaring is hair removal with a paste of sugar, lemon juice and water. The paste is pulled off in the direction the hair grows, which breaks fewer hairs and strains the follicle less than waxing, so it usually hurts less once you're on a regular schedule. Good aftercare is mostly exfoliating and moisturizing to keep ingrown hairs away.

How sugaring works

The paste is applied at body temperature, so there's no hot wax to burn sensitive skin, and it's flicked off in the direction the hair grows. Because the hair leaves the way it grew, it's more likely to come out whole from the root. With regular appointments, many people find regrowth comes in sparser. For the full story, read the guide to Brazilian sugaring.

Who sugaring suits

Most people do well with sugaring, and it's a common pick for sensitive areas like a Brazilian. If you've had ingrown hairs from waxing, technique is often the cause, and sugaring done well tends to help. If you use a retinoid on the area, check with your esthetician first, since retinoids make skin too fragile for many hair removal services.

Aftercare

Exfoliate the area regularly: a loofah is enough for most people, and exfoliating gloves or a fine pumice stone help if you're prone to ingrowns. Moisturize with aloe or a non-comedogenic lotion; skip coconut oil, which can lead to ingrowns. If the skin is irritated, a cold compress for 10 minutes calms it. This aftercare kit covers the products, and this ingrown hair guide covers what to do if one shows up.