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Wax & Sugar: Why Shaving Isn't Worth It

Since the beginning of time, humans have been researching and discovering new methods on how to beautify the body—and as we know—hair removal has been one of the most popular options since as early as the stone ages! Yep, that’s right. Even the cavemen were on the hunt for the best beauty techniques out there. Gotta be ready to impress a mate after all, am I right??


In today’s modern age, we don’t really need to worry about finding the sharpest rock to shave our legs with, but there’s no doubt that when it comes to deciding what the best form of hair removal is, we run into a major roadblock; how on earth do we get the hair off in an efficient way without damaging the skin it’s attached too?? Well, as can be imagined, with so many options to choose from (i.e. shaving, waxing, sugaring, lasers), picking the right one might feel a bit overwhelming. And that’s the very reason why I’m here to clear things up!


Today, our article is focused on waxing and sugaring—as those are the two middle ground options—and how they are a million times better than shaving... Trust me, these are details that you’ll definitely want to know about!


So, let’s get started!



What is Waxing and Sugaring?


Both of these hair removal methods revolve around the practice of using a hot and sticky substance (i.e. melted wax or a sugar paste mixture) spread across the skin to rip hair cleanly from follicles within the skin. While a bit complex and (not surprisingly) more painful than shaving, the appeal of waxing and sugaring comes from a combination of aesthetics and overall skin benefits such as:


  • Light exfoliation

  • No nicks or cuts

  • No razor burn

  • Less chance of ingrowns and Folliculitis

  • Longer amount of time in between removals for pheromones to be present (hello better sexy time!)


But although similar, there are some big differences between waxing and sugaring that should be pointed out. So to make sure that we cover all of our bases and any “which is best for me” questions let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each method.


All About Sugaring


Sugaring is a natural Persian method that has been around since ancient times and consists of a paste formed from water, sugar, and lemon juice. This yummy sounding mixture is heated all together until a thick, yet malleable paste is created. Once it has cooled to room temperature, the ball of paste is then applied to clean skin in the opposite direction of hair growth. With a series of quick movements (pulling hair in the direction of growth), the paste is applied over and over until finally all of the hair has been removed!


When it comes to how long sugaring takes, the time will vary depending on how long/thick the hair is— taking anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.


The Details:


  • Made with natural ingredients

  • Applied at room temperature, preventing burns

  • Hair is pulled in the direction of hair growth, causing less irritation and ingrown hairs

  • Can be applied multiple times to the same area without irritating skin

  • Paste sticks only to the hair and not the skin, reducing irritation

  • Hair only needs to be 1/8th of an inch long (visits can be at 2-3 weeks)

  • Uses no additional equipment, meaning less waste

  • Hair grows back thinner and softer

  • High concentration of sugar prevents bacteria from growing in the tub where the sugar is stored


All About Waxing


Waxing is very similar to sugaring but it is a more contemporary version that uses a mixture of resins, chemicals, and oils to create a melted wax that hardens on the skin before being pulled off to remove the hair from its follicle. Just like with sugaring, waxing is heated to a point where it can be spread across the skin, however, it goes along with the direction of hair growth instead of against it. When it comes to removal, there are two different methods:


  • Strips: a thin strip of cloth is placed on top of the still warm wax and smoothed down in the direction of hair growth before being ripped off in the opposite direction of the hair. This works well for covering large areas of hair, such as on the legs.

  • Hard Wax: this form of wax is one that doesn’t require a strip to remove. Once the wax reaches a certain firmness, it can then be pulled off by hand against the direction of hair growth to clear the area. This method is used commonly for the pubic area as it can be spread into harder to reach places.


Waxing is similar to sugaring as the amount of time needed depends purely on the length/thickness of the hair being removed (anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour).


The Details:


  • Made with resins, chemicals, and oils

  • Applied at 150 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent sticking to the skin as much as possible

  • Hair is pulled in the opposite direction of hair growth

  • Applied to the skin sparingly to reduce burns and broken skin

  • Flexible and can cover large areas (perfect for legs)

  • Hair needs to be 1/4th of an inch long (visits can be at 3-6 weeks)

  • Uses sticks and/or strips to remove hair

  • Hair grows back thinner and softer


What Does All this Have to Do with Shaving?


Great question!


As we can see from the information above, both sugaring and waxing are great hair removal options as they both remove hair completely from the root and do so in a way that is quick and generally kind to skin (not counting the feeling of hair being pulled out as that’s a given).


Despite these pros, some people wonder if it’s worth the price. Brazilian waxes and sugaring cost at least $55 for maintenance and around $65 if it’s your first time going. Because of this price tag, it may be easy to think that simply getting a pack of razors and some shaving cream will be the solution to all your problems, but that is not the case! Shaving can actually end up causing you more problems in the long run and the upkeep can be a real hassle for those who just want a simple routine.


Let’s break it down into the top five cons of shaving.

  1. Hair needs to be shaved every 2-3 days in order to maintain the shave. This is not only time consuming, but also decreases the amount of time that pheromones are present on the skin (which we definitely want to avoid).

  2. Due to sweat around the pubic area, there is a high risk of not only receiving cuts and abrasions from the blades, but also infection and irritation of those cuts when materials (like sweat and dirt) get inside the wounded area.

  3. Shaving can create ingrown hairs that cause pain and discomfort, especially around the underwear line.

  4. There is a shadow as the hair grows back, specifically for those with dark/thick hair.

  5. The roots remain intact, meaning the hair will stay thick and grow quickly.


Looking at these concerns, it’s easy to see why removing the hair with wax or sugar instead of a razor can be so much better for your skin.


So Are Waxing and Sugaring Really Better than Shaving?


They TOTALLY are!


Even though you’re paying a bit more money than you would for a package of razors, the long term benefits are definitely worth it. To summarize, with waxing and sugaring you will experience less ingrown hairs, less irritation and razor burn, longer periods without regrowth, longer period of time with pheromones present, and thinner/softer hair in the end. What’s not to love about all that?

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