What is more painful, sugaring or waxing?

At first glance epilation with wax and sugar paste has many similarities. Hairs in both cases are removed with their roots, the skin remains smooth for a long time and the actions of the practitioner are the same – application of the paste or wax, then tearing it off. But choosing between these methods, the main question people usually have is about the pain sensations. What is more painful: waxing or sugaring?

Difference of wax epilation from sugaring

• When waxing, the wax is torn off against the hair growth, while when sugaring, on the contrary, in their direction of hair growth. For this reason, epilation with sugar paste is almost painless, unlike waxing.

• Procedures also differ in the way of applying wax/paste. The paste contacts only with hairs and does not stick to the skin, so the skin practically does not get injured. Wax adheres strongly to the hairs, as well as to the skin, and is torn off together with the skin’s upper cells. If a hair is not removed from the first time, then repeating applying wax and tearing it off brings even more pain, because the skin is already injured and becomes more sensitive. Also, after waxing there are more irritations and bruising.

• Wax must be heated to a high temperature, which can also increase pain or even cause a burn if the practitioner is inexperienced. In sugaring, the paste is heated to a temperature of 35–40 ℃ (95–104 F) degrees. Due to high temperatures, epilation with wax is contraindicated in varicose veins of any stage. Sugaring is still allowed at the early stages of varicose.

• Side effects of the procedures also differ. After sugaring, there are almost no ingrown hairs, because hair is removed in the direction of its growth. The hair doesn’t break or bend. But a few days after wax epilation one can get a lot of those side effects. So, the skin care after the wax procedure is more difficult, you need to use a scrub and a stiff washcloth more often. In areas of ingrown hair, inflammation and pimples may appear, which is also unpleasant.

• The advantage of sugaring is also that it can be cooked at home and practiced on yourself if you do not have the means to go to the salon. In addition, the paste contains only natural ingredients that do not cause allergies.

If you still doubt which method is better, the answer is obvious – sugaring!