The are many advantages of sugaring over traditional waxing and you may hear about them many times already, but there are two things why I still use sugaring and why it gives such a nice result:

1. Wax application and dispatch method
2. The direction of dispatch.

It is well-known fact, that extracting hairs along its growth removes more hairs from roots compare to hair removal against the growth. It also allows getting rid of unnecessary pain, as in this case, the extraction of hair doesn't cause skin damage.

In this article, I would like to share my experience with such a thing as why I prefer to use the hand sugaring method and why I avoid using strips.
Sugaring is not just wax made from sugar, it is more about the hair removal method. Procedure experience and lasting effect depend on the skills of sugaring specialist and method which been used. Sugar waxing includes many techniques and methods to work with wax, but I would like to split all these techniques into two methods below:

- Bandagemethod which also could be known as strip sugaring technique;
- Manual (hand) method;

With the strip method, sugar wax also applies against the direction of hair growth and then a specialist applies strip and peels it off along the direction of growth. This method allows to remove hairs quicker and works well on large and less sensitive areas such as legs, back, and shoulders. Bandage technique requires softer and more sticky sugar paste breed, which means sugar wax may stick to the skin a provoke unnecessary pain. 

In opposite strip method, manual technique excludes usage of any tools. Sugaring specialist applies and removes wax using hands only. This method is a bit slower compared to the strip technique, but it gives better control and allows to consider the direction of growth with more attention. This method works the best on sensitive zones and zones where hair has an uneven pattern of hair direction growth. Apart from the sensitivity of such zones as bikini and underarms pits, these zones have no common direction of hair growth. Instead, if you look at your underarm pits you may find that hairs are pointed into many different directions. This fact makes strip method is not that effective compared to hand technique as strip covers a too big area and some hairs can get broken under the skin due to the wrong direction of hair extraction, at the end of the day it causes ingrown hair issue sometime after hair removal procedure. 
When it comes to brazilian waxing, hand method sugar waxing removes all hairs including lane between buttocks :), it is possible because of specialist may just use only one finger and help wax to penetrate deeper and grab hairs firmly and then make a dispatch. And inapposite to bandage technique, the hand method allows using less sticky breeds of sugar wax, which makes the procedure even more comfortable. 

The long story short - sugaring waxing along with hand method works perfectly for brazilian waxing, underarms and facial hair removal, and it also works well on all other zones, but the procedure may take some extra time compared to strip method. In another hand, if time is your concern, then bandage technique is your choice, but this hair removal technique doesn't work on bikini, underarms and face. 

Over several years of working as a sugar waxing specialist, I got many cases and success stories of fighting with ingrown hairs. In this article, I would like to highlight the top reasons causing ingrowing hairs and share recommendations on how to reduce the chances of getting such an issue.

Top 4 reasons causing ingrown hairs based on my personal experience:

• Hair removal method. Some hair removal methods may not just work for you. The way hairs have been extracted has a significant role. Hairs removed from roots will regrow smooth and soft, broken or cut hairs, on another hand, may curl and ingrow under the skin. 

Here are some key points which may indicate low-quality waxing services:

• Micro bleeding spots the right after waxing;
• Skin irritation lasts for more than 30 minutes;
• Peeled off skin or bruces;
• Hairs regrow faster than 3 weeks after waxing;
• Regrowing hairs are rough and sharp; 

• Dry skin, dehydration, lack of moisture is another reason which may cause ingrown hairs. Dry skin can be a serious issue for regrowing hair. Properly removed hairs will always be thinner and softer and dry dead cells works as a barrier which hair can't come through.

• Too tight underwear. The consistent wearing of tight or high-density underwear also may hairs to curl back and ingrow into the skin. If you have an issue with ingrown hairs try another material of underwear and also try to reduce the time of wearing leggings. 

• Hormonal imbalance. It is not obvious, but hormonal medicines (including contraceptives) may affect your skin state and hair growth process. 

General recommendations on how to get rid of ingrown hair:

1. First of all, make the right choice on the hair removal method and specialist. If you have too many red spots, irritation or even bleeding the right after hair removal procedure, then maybe the current method or specialist is not the best choice for you. Skin without hairs the right after hair removal session is not an indicator of the well-done epilation yet. Take your time and count how many days passed after the last epilation procedure to the day when hairs started to resurface. If your hair removal been done well, then you should NOT get sharp black hairs growing through the skin just one week after epilation or so. Instead, hairs should start to resurface approximately 3 weeks after, and they must be soft and have to become brighter.

2. Keep a reasonable interval between hair removal sessions. The hair gets stronger while it's growing, which may increase the chances of unwanted damage to the hair follicles. But we also don't recommend doing it more frequently. The interval between 5-6 weeks provides the cleanest result, but at the same time, hairs are not too strong yet to cause pain or follicle damage. 

3. Keep your skin moisturized, but apply skincare remedy only 3 days after hair removal session. Creams and moisturizers applied following waxing is a sure-fire way to clog up hair follicles. The idea is to keep the path of re-growth clear and open. Try to keep an even balance of natural oils and just listen to your skin. Be careful with moisturizing creams, most of them just create an effect of moisturization by creating a thin layer which prevents moisture to come out. Such kind of creams may clog the skin and cause problems. Often lotions and body toners give a better effect but require more frequent application. 

4. Stay loose (at least when you are at home) and use underwear made from natural materials. Wearing tight clothing that presses up against the newly waxed skin can cause ingrown hairs. First, the tight material can cause initial irritation. Then in the weeks following, the restrictiveness of the clothing can cause the hair to grow back into the skin. The area needs the opportunity to breathe. Cotton and other natural fabrics can help if you are prone to ingrown hairs.

5. Exfoliation matter. Please don't neglect such an important aftercare procedure as exfoliation, especially if your skin is dry. I would recommend doing exfoliation 2 times a week since day 4 after your sugaring session. For the best result do exfoliation after several minutes of a hot shower, when pores of the skin are open. If you have no exfoliation remedy at this moment - not a problem. Just take a handful of ground coffee, apply on to the skin, and make light massage rounded movements all around epilated zones. But please don't scrub pimples if you have ones. Exfoliation is a good remedy keeping your skin "ingrowns-free"

6. Keep Clean but take a step up from regular soap or shower gels which overdry your skin.

What to do if you already got ingrown hairs after waxing or hair removal?

1. First of all, please DO NOT try to squeeze acne caused by ingrown hairs, and don't try to extract ingrown hair by yourself. 
2. Ask for advice from your hair removal specialist 
3. Do not delay the treatment. The idea is to help ingrown hair to resurface in a natural way before it "dies". If regular daily care and exfoliation didn't bring the desired result and you got first signs of ingrown hairs such as little dark spots under the skin or pimples, then you may try "ingrown hair solution", which should be available in your nearest cosmetic shop or pharmacy. 
I was using that one https://www.lifepharmacy.co.nz/home/shop-by-brand/nads/nads-ingrow-solution-125ml but you try any other. The common ingredient across the most "ingrown hair solutions" is Salicylic Acid, which helps to destroy the connection between cells and release path for the growing hair, as far as this ingredient in the lest you are good to go. But please be careful and follow the instructions and apply solution only on affected spots. If you apply the remedy too often, then it may overdry the skin. 

Hope you find the information above useful. I would appreciate if you give feedback in comments below, or maybe share your experience. 

Best Regards,
Marina Ivanova
Sugar Waxing Specialist 
Bare Care, Auckland

How to care for your body and what to do after sugar waxing

It is very important that you take care of the sugared region, therefore it is recommended that you read the below-mentioned article carefully as it will offer you some key tips for taking good care of your skin.

Some of the key instructions which you should follow in this regard are given below. Make sure you pay proper attention towards the below-mentioned points.

Day 1 or on the day after sugaring

• The first thing we do the right after the hair removal procedure is to apply some Aloe Vera on the waxed region as quickly as possible in case your skin is getting sore and swollen. On the first day, you may repeat this procedure several times. It can be a good idea to apply some Aloe Vera gel before you go to sleep.
• Try to avoid sexual contact in order to prevent irritation, especially if you are after brazilian waxing. 
• It is also good to avoid any physical exercising, gym or activities which may cause your skin sweating.  Please stay away from swimming pools at day after sugaring.

Day 2

• Keep your skin protected and take extra care for the next 2 days; avoid using any perfumed moisturizer on the sugared area.
• Your skin becomes sensitive after waxing so you should not apply any other product (except prescribed ones) to the waxed area because it can block the pores and lead to infection.
• As your skin continues to heal for about 48 hours after sugar waxing, so do not make the mistake of using a tanning bed.
• Stay away from swimming for 2 days after your waxing as there can be harmful bacteria in the water that can easily penetrate through still open pores and cause infection.
• You need to be very attentive with the sun and avoid sunbathing for about 48 hours so that your skin can get a chance to heal itself.  
• Now, you should consider taking a warm shower. I don't recommend to use gel shower, as it dries your skin. I would recommend using soap with moisturizing effect.  Towel down the water gently.
• Once you have taken a bath you need to wear loose cotton clothing properly. Tight clothing can cause a lot of irritation and so you should stay away from them.
• Now, you can apply some lavender or tea - tree oil to the waxed region. Both of them are antiseptic and so they are going to soothe your skin a great deal.

Day 3 and after

• At last, you can exfoliate your skin properly. The exfoliating glove can help you in a lot of ways. Make sure you do exfoliation 2 times a week during the hot shower. 
• In the unlikely event of getting irritation, bumps or ingrown hairs, please don't try to solve the problem your own. Instead, I kindly insist to get in touch with me as soon as possible.

So, these are some of the most interesting things which you should know about taking good care after the sugaring procedure. You need to follow these instructions after the sugaring so you can avoid irritation, rash, and bumps. 
 

Best regards,

Sugaring Specialist
Marina Ivanova