Every girl strives for well-groomed, smooth skin. But shaving does not give a long-term effect, so you have to resort to more radical methods of hair removal. One of the most popular methods is sugar depilation or, in other words, sugaring. The fair half of humanity fell in love with it for its smooth skin for several weeks, the ability to carry out the procedure at home and the low cost of consumables.
So how to do sugar depilation yourself? What tools and materials are needed for this? What pitfalls can await on the way to smooth skin? Are there any contraindications to this procedure? Let's figure it out.
What is sugaring?
Sugaring or sugar depilation is the removal of unwanted body hair using thick sugar paste for sugaring. With the help of sugaring, you can treat any part of the body - legs, arms, armpits, bikini area, and also solve the rather delicate issue of facial hair. On average, the effect lasts for 2-3 weeks. The procedure technique is quite simple and does not require special skills. The main thing is to follow the rules and act according to the instructions. We will talk about this in detail below. By the way, the procedure originated in Ancient Egypt, so during sugaring you can feel like a real Cleopatra
Note!
The expression “sugar hair removal” is used quite often. It is fundamentally wrong, and here's why. Epilation involves complete removal of hair from the root and destruction of its follicular apparatus. This can be achieved using laser hair removal, photoepilation, and electrolysis. They provide the longest lasting effect, and over time, hair may stop growing altogether on the treated areas of the skin.
But during depilation, only part of the hair is removed without the root and without affecting the follicles. Depilation includes shaving, depilatory creams, electric depilatory, waxing and sugaring. Most people think that waxing and sugaring refer to hair removal, because hairs are pulled out. Yes it is. But they are not completely pulled out and the follicles remain under the skin.
Photoepilation
This method is in many ways similar to laser correction. The principle of action is the same: the effect on melanin, as a result of which the hair follicle is destroyed. Only this is done not with a laser beam, but with light-thermal flashes. The effect is achieved with hair of almost any color, except for very light and gray ones, in which there is practically no pigment.
The method is safe and non-contact, which makes it also painless. And with proper preparation and compliance with the rules for skin restoration after the procedure, there will be no undesirable consequences.
The preparation rules are the same as for laser hair removal: no tanning, antibiotics and alcohol cosmetics, the hair should be slightly regrown, and the skin immediately before the procedure should be clean and dry.
After photoepilation, the safety measures are as follows: do not swim in a pool or natural body of water for ten days, avoid direct sunlight and do not use cosmetics for hygiene procedures.
The effect lasts up to one month after one session, and the course will help you forget about unwanted hair for up to five years.
Benefits of sugar depilation
Why do many women, with a huge variety of types of depilation and hair removal, choose sugaring?
- As mentioned above, the procedure is quite simple. It can be done at home without the help of a professional. This means that you can save a decent amount of money.
- Consumables are inexpensive. You can even make your own pasta. But frankly speaking, it is better not to waste time, effort and patience - sometimes the result is unpredictable. Ready-made pastes are available to everyone. In addition, manufacturers have created pastes for different hair types - choose the one that suits you.
- The pastes contain only natural ingredients, which reduces the risk of allergies.
- With proper technique there is no risk of injury or burns.
- After the procedure, there is no need to wipe off the remaining paste with special means. Sugar paste is easily washed off the skin with plain water.
- With regular sugaring, the hairs become thinner and lighter. Over time, you will have to resort to the procedure less and less often.
Bandage and manual techniques - what is the difference?
Today there are 2 sugaring techniques:
- bandage;
- manual.
For the bandage technique, depilatory strips and sugar paste in a cartridge are used. It is ideal for beginners. Manual technique is already more complicated. It is carried out without the use of strips; all hair removal procedures are carried out by hand. For manual techniques, paste is usually used not in cartridges, but in jars.
Depilation strips 7*20 Italwax 20 pcs
Sugar paste in cartridge Natural soft ARAVIA 150 g
Sugar paste for depilation “Universal” Start Epil 750 g
What does a novice master need for sugaring?
To carry out the sugaring procedure you will need:
Paste
Sugar pastes have different densities. There are soft, medium, dense and universal. The choice depends on the type of hair, the area being treated, the depilation technique, the temperature in the room and the temperature of the hands (the colder the room, the colder your hands, the softer the paste should be).
- Soft sugar paste for depilation is suitable for fine hair on large areas of the body (back, legs) and working in cool rooms;
- The average sugar paste for depilation is “friendly” with all types of hair on any part of the body. Suitable for warm hands in a cool room or cold hands in a warm room;
- Thick depilatory paste designed for coarse, short hair growing in difficult areas of the body, such as armpits and bikini. She is worked with warm hands in a warm, humid room;
- The universal depilation pass is suitable for all types of hair on all areas of the body. They work with cool hands in a cool room.
Sugar paste for depilation “Soft” Start Epil 400 g
Sugar paste for depilation “Medium” Start Epil 400 g
Sugar paste for depilation “Dense” Start Epil 400 g
Sugar paste for depilation “Universal” Start Epil 400 g
Gloves
Due to hot hands, beginners often encounter sticking (the paste spreads, sticks to the skin and cannot be removed) during sugaring, since temperature greatly affects the properties of the paste. To avoid such situations, we recommend that you use gloves that fit tightly to your hands.
Skin cleansing lotion
Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to clean and degrease the skin. You can use special lotions that will moisturize and prepare the skin for depilation, or you can use regular Chlorhexidine.
Powder or talc
With them the procedure is more comfortable. They have a deodorizing and antiseptic effect, lift hairs and remove excess moisture. It is important that these products do not contain fragrances or any additives.
Bandage strips
Will be needed for sugaring using bandage technique. With the help of wax strips for depilation, the paste is removed along with the hairs after application to the skin.
Spatulas
They are convenient for transferring paste from a cartridge or jar to the skin.
Post-depilation products
After the procedure, it is necessary to provide high-quality skin care. After all, such manipulations, although small, are still stressful for the skin.
Contraindications
Any type of depilation of the bikini area should be avoided if the following manifestations are present on the surface of the intimate area:
- wounds, scratches, burns and other skin damage;
- pimples, pustules and inflammatory processes;
- warts;
- prominent moles;
- infectious skin diseases.
In addition to these factors, the following diseases are contraindications to waxing or sugaring:
- diabetes;
- diseases of the circulatory system;
- phlebeurysm;
- hypertension;
- dysfunction of the cardiovascular system;
- epilepsy;
- allergies to the pastes and wax used.
During pregnancy, it is recommended to give preference to regular shaving, since painful types of depilation can provoke muscle spasms, which will negatively affect the condition of the fetus. It is better to consult a professional first.
During pregnancy, it is better to choose regular shaving as a depilation method.
Possible consequences
Undesirable consequences that appear due to increased skin sensitivity or failure to comply with safety measures during the procedure are expressed as:
- irritation;
- peeling and itching sensation;
- pimples and pustules;
- scratches, abrasions and wounds;
- ingrown hairs.
As a rule, slight irritation is typical for many types of hair removal. If pimples and other inflammatory manifestations appear, this indicates the penetration of infection and insufficient antiseptic treatment of the surface. Scratches are formed when the procedure technique is not followed, and ingrown hairs are often the result of clogged pores or removal of hairs against their growth line.
Tea tree oil has an excellent healing effect. Dilute 2-3 drops of oil in a tablespoon of olive oil and apply with a cotton pad to irritated areas once a day until complete healing.
Tea tree oil helps relieve skin irritation and inflammation
Video: how to avoid irritation in the intimate area after depilation
Preparing for the sugaring procedure
How to prepare for the procedure so that it is as comfortable and effective as possible?
- The day before sugaring, it is prohibited to sunbathe in the sun or visit a solarium.
- On the day of sugaring, you should refrain from applying lotions or oils to the area of skin that will be treated.
- Before sugaring, you can take a shower and use a soft scrub that will remove the top layers of skin and lift hairs. The scrub should not be rough, otherwise you can injure the skin.
Trimmer: efficiency, best manufacturers
The trimmer works on the principle of a razor. It doesn't remove hair, it cuts it. Therefore, they cannot achieve the effect of completely smooth skin. But they can quickly tidy up their intimate area to look good.
The procedure is completely painless. It is convenient to take the trimmer with you when traveling, because you can use it quickly and anywhere. And some manufacturers produce models that can also be used on wet skin.
The best trimmers are made by Veet and Philips. All have both rechargeable and battery-operated models, and all are suitable for use on sensitive skin and in the shower. The number of attachments depends on the model itself.
How to do sugaring at home? Step-by-step instruction
Let's analyze each stage of sugar depilation and consider 2 techniques. Regardless of which technique you choose, the first steps will be the same:
- First, cleanse the skin. To do this, apply a special pre-depilation lotion or “Chlorhexidine” to a napkin and remove impurities in a circular motion;
- Then apply talc onto the skin in a small, even layer.
Next we move on to the depilation itself.
Sugaring using bandage technique
- Using a special wax melter or in a microwave oven, heat the paste in the cartridge to a temperature of +37-40°C. The heating time for pasta in the microwave is 15-20 minutes.
- Check the paste for overheating to avoid burns. Apply a small amount of paste to the bandage strip and check if the temperature is comfortable. If yes, then feel free to start depilation.
- Using a spatula, apply the paste to the skin in a path in the direction opposite to hair growth.
- We press the bandage strip.
- We tighten the strip a little and fix the skin at the point where the breakdown begins.
- In the direction of hair growth and parallel to the skin, with a sharp movement we tear off the strip.
- We remove the remaining sugar paste with regular warm or special thermal water, which will restore the natural balance of the skin.
- Apply skin care product after depilation using massage movements to soothe it.
Sugaring using manual technique
- Place the jar of pasta in the microwave and heat for 15 seconds. The pasta should be warm and comforting, not hot.
- Using a spatula or a dry, clean hand, take a little sugar paste from the jar.
- Apply a piece of paste to the skin in the direction against hair growth.
- Apply the paste 2-4 times against hair growth. We seem to be “combing” with our fingers.
- We fix the skin at the site of the breakdown.
- In the direction of hair growth and parallel to the skin, remove the paste with a sharp movement.
- We remove the remaining sugar paste with regular warm or special thermal water, which will restore the natural balance of the skin.
- Apply skin care product after depilation using massage movements to soothe it.
How to care for your skin after sugaring?
On the first day after the procedure:
- it is necessary to refrain from taking a hot bath and use a shower;
- It is prohibited to visit the bathhouse, sauna, swimming pool;
- you must refrain from playing sports.
In the first 2 days after the procedure
:
- Scrubbing is prohibited. Then it is advisable to use a scrub - it will soften the skin and prevent ingrown hairs.
In the first 2-4 days after the procedure:
- it is necessary to wear underwear and/or clothes only made from natural materials;
- It is necessary to avoid exposure of the skin to sunlight.
Daily:
- take care of your skin and use moisturizers. They will help the skin recover faster and relieve irritation.
Epilation of the bikini area with an epilator
For this procedure, you need to purchase a high-quality, powerful epilator .
For hair removal, it is enough to “grow” hairs up to 0.5 -1 mm.
Before the procedure, the bikini area should be steamed by taking a hot bath and degreased with an alcohol tonic.
The skin must be perfectly dry before treatment! The epilator should be directed against hair growth. Keep the device perpendicular to the surface being treated.
ATTENTION!!! The procedure is very painful, especially for those who are doing it for the first time! With subsequent procedures, addiction occurs.
After epilation, treat the skin in the same way as the previous procedures.
The advantage of the procedure is that it is easy to carry out.
The downside is pain and fairly rapid hair regrowth.
Sugaring mistakes at home for beginners
Because of mistakes, some girls forever lose the desire to do sugaring, because they can lead to such consequences as:
- poor quality hair removal;
- burns;
- bruises.
To prevent this from happening, the following rules must be followed:
- Sugaring cannot be done on hair that is too short; the length of the hair must be at least 4 mm. Only in this case does the sugar paste coat the hair well and remove it along with the root;
- You cannot use a paste of the same consistency on all parts of the body. For example, a soft paste will not be able to remove hair growing in the bikini area;
- You need to check the temperature of the heated pasta first. Ignoring this point may result in burns;
- Do not work without gloves if you have little experience. As mentioned above, this can lead to sticking!
How to remove the stick?
If, nevertheless, a stick occurs on the treated area of the body, you can use one of the following methods:
- Take a thicker paste, apply a lump of it to the edge of the stick and carefully remove it.
- Press the bandage strip onto the sticky area, and then remove it with a sharp movement parallel to the skin and along the hair growth.
- Rinse off the stain with water. But remember that this method leads to excessive consumption of paste and an increase in procedure time.
Tips on how to reduce pain in the intimate area
There are several ways to minimize pain in the intimate area. The device itself will help numb the procedure. Many models have features that reduce pain. Find out which epilator is best for the bikini area here. There are epilators with special attachments:
- to cool the skin . Before the procedure, it is filled with water and placed in the freezer. The frozen nozzle is installed on the body of the device, and it serves as anesthesia;
- for skin massage . The nozzle vibrates, massaging the skin and relieving painful spasms. Facilitates hair removal and treatment of the area with massage oil before the procedure;
- with a gentle mode : the tweezers that grab the hairs are not very tightly spaced. The hairs are pulled out at intervals and it is not as painful as when they are pulled out in a continuous sheet;
- with a massage disc that presses the skin, and it does not stretch when pulling out hair. It also reduces pain.
There are epilators that can be used to perform the procedure in water. The body and skin relax in the bath and the process is as painless as possible.
Follow the link to read more about pain relief. Lidocaine spray may be suitable for you.