BellaSugar

Threading, Sugaring, and Waxing: Health Risks of Hair Removal

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:01:00 PDT

Women go through all kinds of hoops when it comes to beauty, especially in the quest for smooth hairless skin. From waxing to sugaring, threading, and beyond, check out the health risks involved when it comes to common hair removal techniques.

Shaving - Probably the most common way to remove hair since it's fast, cheap, and easy to do yourself. With shaving, there is a risk for nicks, ingrown hairs, and the dreaded razor burn. If you forget to change out the blades, dull or rusty metal may cause irritation or infection. Shaving can also cause folliculitis, an infection in the hair follicle usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph) or a fungus.

Waxing - A layer of wax is applied to your skin, and a strip of fabric is placed on top. Once the wax is dry, it adheres to the hairs; pulling the strips off of the skin pulls the hairs from the root. Depending on the location of your body, waxing can be extremely painful; it hurts to have your hair pulled from the root, and the wax also adheres to your skin, taking skin cells with it as it's removed. Waxing can cause irritation and inflammation, especially if you have a reaction to the chemicals in the wax, and, if the wax used is too hot, there's also a risk of burning the skin. If your skin is not held taut when pulling the wax strips off, bruising may occur. Some people also suffer from postwax breakouts or scarring if they have sensitive skin. Once the hairs begin to grow back, you may find painful raised bumps (ingrown hairs), especially under your arms or your bikini area since the hairs tend to be coarse and curly. Waxing should be avoided if you are using Retin-A, Accutane, or antibiotics. These medications make the skin thin, which means more than hair will come off during a waxing service. If you are using Renova or alphy hydroxy, check with your aesthetician before scheduling an appointment.

Read on to hear about sugaring, depilatories, threading, and more.

Sugaring 101: All About This Hair Removal Technique

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 02:00:14 PDT

Looking for a sweet way to remove hair? Sugaring might be just the thing for you. This centuries-old method provides longer-lasting results than shaving, and it's less painful than waxing. It just might be a (relatively) easy way to get rid of unwanted fuzz during beach season. Get the scoop - watch now!

BellaTV: All About Sugaring

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 06:00:40 PDT

How to: Sugaring Hair Removal at Home

BellaTV — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:00:00 PDT

You know about shaving and waxing, but do you know about sugaring? BellaSugarTV lets you in on the secret to sugaring at home. Check out our video for more tips on this hair removal process that is less painful and all natural.

Sugaring Is a Sweet Alternative to Waxing

BellaSugar — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:30:20 PDT

Bikini waxes are fine, but nobody loves too-hot wax, post-service skin irritation, or quick regrowth. So why not look into sugaring for hair removal?

I was surprised to find at my first service just how different the sugaring treatment is from traditional waxing. The room-temperature sugar mixture is actually applied directly onto the skin and then flicked off with a quick movement of the hand. That means no wasteful strips of fabric, tongue depressors that run the risk of being double-dipped, and no scalding-hot wax on tender skin.

Eco-friendly and sanitary bonuses aside, let's get to the point: how much does it hurt? I have to say it was far less painful than waxing, probably because the hair is pulled out in the direction of growth, not against it. At this point I was already hooked, and when those pesky bumps that had become the norm in my waxing routine didn't show up the next day, I was sold.

The price tag for salon sugaring is higher than waxing, but given the advantages, would you try it?

Should You Sugar?

BellaSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:00:49 PDT

With bikini season just around the corner, I've been getting a lot of questions about hair removal. I recently had a reader ask me what the deal was with sugaring, so read on to decide if this is something you should try.

Sugaring is an all-natural alternative to waxing. So if you're squeamish about the chemicals and additives in traditional waxing, sugaring could be just the ticket. It is also a lot less expensive than getting the job done at a salon or purchasing an at-home kit, especially if you concoct the sugaring solution yourself.

To see what this process actually entails, as well as the potential ouch-factor,

The process of sugaring itself is relatively simple. You can either purchase an at-home kit, like this MOOM Organic Hair Removal Kit ($17), or you can whip up the solution yourself at home. The technique is identical to that of traditional at-home waxing. So what's the difference? Here are some pros and cons.

Pros:

The solution contains no artificial chemicals or preservatives, which could be beneficial if you have sensitive skin.
If you wax regularly, at-home sugaring could end up saving you a lot of money.
When done correctly, sugaring should be less painful than waxing, since it sticks just to your hair, while waxing sticks to your hair and skin.
Sugaring is easy to clean up since it is water based, whereas waxing is difficult to get off of skin, clothes, and carpets.

Cons:

It can be difficult to get the temperature just right, since your at-home solution will heat differently than traditional waxing kits.
You might have more stray hairs left over than with waxing, since it doesn't always "grab" the hair the way waxing does.
You need patience! Preparing the solution, heating it to the right temperature, shredding your old tees, and getting the technique right is a lot more time consuming than grabbing a box of wax from your local drugstore.
It's not totally painless. You might have to withstand a some extra pain while practicing to get the technique and temperature right.

If you have the time and patience, sugaring can be an effective and economical hair-removal option. I would love to hear if anyone has tried this and what their experience was like. Also let me know if you have any tips or at-home recipes!

Get Rid of Unwanted Hair: Sugaring

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:45:00 PDT

Unwanted hair - it's a fact of life. Many women choose to shave or wax, but there might just be a sweeter way. Have you ever heard of sugaring?

Also known as Persian Waxing, it's a method of hair removal that has been around for thousands of years. Similar to waxing, it's supposed to be less painful because it only sticks to the hair, unlike wax which also sticks to your skin.

It's made out of all natural ingredients including sugar (honey or molasses is sometimes used instead), lemon juice, and water. You can play around with different recipes and do it yourself, but I recommend having a professional do it for you.

First, the area is dusted with powder, then warm sugar solution is applied and spread around with a tongue depressor. A porous piece of cloth is then pressed onto your skin. Just like waxing, the strip is then quickly pulled off in the opposite direction the hair grows.

Fit's Tips: If you want to stir up a batch of your own, make sure you have a candy thermometer. You can buy pre-made sugar solutions such as Moom and Nad's and have a regular hair removal party!

Reminder! Send Us Your Memorial Day Beauty Snaps on Instagram

Jessica Cruel — Mon, 28 May 2012 15:10:00 PDT

Happy Memorial Day! We know you're kicking off this Summer in style, so don't forget to send us your beauty-related pictures today for our latest Instagram challenge. We want to see your eccentric nail art, braided hairstyles, colorful makeup, and favorite sunny season-inspired products. Just upload an image via Instagram, and tag it #bellamemorialbeauty, and we'll round up our favorites tomorrow. We can't wait to see your summery snaps.

And in case you're not already, please be sure to follow us on Instagram (@BellaSugar), too.

Try This Prenatal Lower-Body Workout to Stay in Shape During Your Pregnancy!

Zelana Montminy — Mon, 28 May 2012 03:05:26 PDT

Here at FitSugar, we believe that if you stay fit during your pregnancy, then you will have an easier time dropping weight after the baby comes. Keeping your legs strong over the next nine months is crucial, not only for labor, but also for strolling around with your bundle of joy once you're a mom. Here's a 10-minute leg workout for all you moms-to-be. It's simple, safe (but like with any exercise program while pregnant, do talk to your doc first), and will keep your legs and butt strong as your body changes through pregnancy.

Matthew McConaughey and Robert Pattinson Are a Double Dose of Hotness in France

Katie Henry — Mon, 28 May 2012 18:05:28 PDT

Diners at a Tetou restaurant in Juan-les-Pins, France, last night got a special treat when Matthew McConaughey and Robert Pattinson crossed paths. The actors shook hands, and Matthew introduced Rob to some of his family. Rob and Matthew are both winding down after a busy week filled with press conferences, TV interviews, and Cannes Film Festival premieres. Matthew was in France promoting two dramatic projects, Mud and The Paperboy. Robert was in town to screen Cosmopolis and also stepped out to support one of Kristen Stewart's projects, On the Road. The 2012 film festival has come to a close - however Rob and Matthew are still in competition for this year's PopSugar 100. Be sure to vote for the guys, and all your favorite stars, for a chance to win $2,500!