Sugaring (epilation)
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Sugaring, sugar waxing or Persian waxing is a method of hair removal.[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]
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[edit] Sugaring paste
Sugaring paste can be prepared with common household food items, such as water, sugar and lemon juice,[3][4] and cornstarch,[5] 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.[4] Since the sugar solution is water-based and water-soluble, sugaring is easily cleaned up with warm water.[3][4]
The Studio Smooth website states that sugaring is preferable to waxing, because the former has no resins, except for guar.[4]
[edit] Standard recipe
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This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2011) |
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.
[edit] 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.[5] After the sticky paste is applied to the skin in the opposite direction of hair growth, a strip of porous cloth or paper is pressed into the preparation, and "lifted" or "zipped off" in the same direction of hair growth, taking hairs with it.[2][3][6][5]
[edit] References
- ^ Tannir, Dania; Leshin, Barry (March 2001). "Sugaring: An Ancient Method of Hair Removal". Dermatologic Surgery 27 (3): 309–311. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2001.00175.x.
- ^ a b c "Hairfacts definitions - S". http://www.hairfactz.com/hairfactz_definitions.html#s. Retrieved 11 April 2009.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g "Sugaring vs waxing". Splendicity.com. http://www.splendicity.com/ebeautydaily/sugaring-vs-waxing. Retrieved 11 April 2009.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d "Your Questions". StudioSmooth.com. http://www.studiosmooth.com/?page_id=9. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
- ^ a b c "Sugaring". Spaindex.com. 11 April 2009. http://www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/Sugaring.htm.
- ^ "Sugaring or Sugar Waxing". SimplyHairRemoval.com. http://simplyhairremoval.com/Sugaring-or-Sugar-Waxing.html. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
[edit] External links
- Bond, Annie. "Natural Hair Removal: Ancient Egyptian Art of Body Sugaring". Care2.com. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ancient-egyptian-body-sugaring.html. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
- "Sugaring Hair Removal Paste Recipe". Beauty-Fitness-Savvy.com. http://www.beauty-fitness-savvy.com/sugaring-hair-removal.html. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
