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 unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability. |
The most common recipe for sugaring wax is as follows (units by volume):
- 1 unit of sugar
- 1/8 unit of vinegar, cream of tartar, 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.
Lemon juice is added for its acidity, which breaks up the sucrose into fructose and glucose. As in candy making, this gives the finished sugaring wax a non-crystalline, or amorphous structure.
[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.
