Sugaring vs. Waxing: Which Is Better? Hair Removal Experts Weigh In

Whatever you decide to do with your body hair is entirely up to you. But if you're amongst the group that prefers to remove their body hair, you're likely very familiar with the plethora of hair removal options: Shaving, waxing, tweezing, sugaring, depilatory creams, hair minimizing lotions, laser hair removal, dermaplaning, etc.

For those looking for easily accessible, long-lasting results, waxing and sugaring tend to be two of the most popular methods. Both techniques work by lifting hair from the root for results that last anywhere between two and six weeks, but despite how similar they may sound, they have a few important distinctions. To better understand the difference between sugaring and waxing, we tapped two hair removal experts, Shobha Tummala and Enrique Ramirez, to break down what each method entails, how they differ, and even how your skin type factors into which technique is best for you.

Keep scrolling for the estheticians' insights on the sugaring vs. waxing debate.

Meet the Expert

• Shobha Tummala is the founder and CEO of Shobha, a full-service hair removal salon in NYC. With over 18 years of experience, Shobha has brought the beauty traditions of her home country, India, to her extensive list of clientele.
• Enrique Ramirez is a wax expert, esthetician, and the founder of Face to Face Spa in NYC. His nearly fifteen years in the industry have brought clients such as Ellen, Alanis Morisette, and Lindsay Lohan.

What Is Sugaring?

Sugaring hair removal

What Is Waxing?

Waxing involves applying a cold or warm depilatory wax over sections of the body to remove hair. "Some benefits of waxing are super-smooth results—effectively removing hair from the root. Formulas [may] contain azulene oil to soothe the skin during the treatment. Waxing is also fast and efficient, meaning large areas can be waxed at once," Tummala says.

Sugaring vs. Waxing: The Differences

"Sugaring is all-natural, which is great for folks who may have allergies to certain ingredients or just want only natural ingredients on their body," explains Tummala. "Sugaring is also a lot less sticky than traditional wax, so usually the redness and irritation that a lot of people see with wax will not be seen with sugaring. You can also wash the sugar off with water, whereas many waxes have to be washed off with a special cleanser or natural oil."

The level of pain depends on the pain threshold of the individual—no hair removal is truly undetectable. Some tolerate either technique well, and others can't do sugaring without breaking out. Results really depend on each individual and their specific skin type. In terms of technique, sugaring paste is molded onto the skin using a gloved hand and then removed, while wax can be used with a strip or alone. Both sugaring and waxing can be done at home or in a salon. Sugaring can also remove shorter hair—it only has to be 1/16th of an inch—than waxing can, as to get waxed, your hair has to be at least a half-inch.

Is the Same Amount of Hair Growth Needed for Waxing and Sugaring?

Which Technique Is Best For You?

Choosing between sugaring and waxing will depend on the body area, hair thickness, and length. For fine hair, Ramirez suggests sugaring, and for thicker hair, he recommends waxing. "Clients tend to comment that smoother results last longer with sugaring than waxing," he says. "I prefer sugaring as results last longer, and there's less redness afterward." If any part of your body is particularly heat-sensitive, stick with sugaring, which is done at room temperature. Wax has to be warm to work.

"It's the most gentle and natural option for the skin," Tummala reiterates. She also notes how it's important to consider different methods for different body parts. "If people tend to break out or have adverse reactions to waxing, sugaring would also be a better option. I also have more sensitive parts of my body that I sugar, like my bikini area and my arms. For legs, I wax, as it tends to be a faster process because when you sugar, you might have to go over an area two times as it is less sticky."

There you have it. If you've found that your skin feels aggravated after waxing, you may want to try sugaring, which is better for sensitive skin. Either way, both techniques remove hair for an extended amount of time.