Unwanted hairs are like a bad ex—no matter what you do, they always try to come back!
You tweeze them. Shave them. Curse them. But still, your unwanted hairs grow back every time.
Tired of dealing with stubble under your arms, on your legs, or face? You’re not the only one. Luckily, there are two ways you can slow hair growth (for good):
The first is sugaring. This hair removal technique dates back to 1900 B.C.! With sugaring, the hair is eliminated with the use of a warm paste made of water, lemon, and sugar. Apply it to your skin and then remove it in the opposite direction of your hair growth. It’s quick, completely natural, and lasts longer than shaving.
Next up is laser hair removal. It’s only been around since the 1960s, but it’s skyrocketed in popularity since. Your esthetician will use a device that emits light energy. This gets absorbed by the pigment in your body hair, which then destroys the hair follicle. By quashing the hair follicle, laser hair removal makes future hair grow back slower and thinner.
But which one is right for you? We’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of each below:
Cost
Is sticking to a budget your top priority? In that case, you’ll probably prefer sugaring.
One sugaring session is a lot more affordable than laser hair removal. Keep in mind that your costs will vary based on how many areas of the body you’re treating.
But if you’re looking at long-term savings, laser hair removal is your best bet. You’ll need an average of 6 sessions to see significant results; from there, you can schedule maintenance treatments as needed.
Laser hair removal creates a permanent reduction in hair growth and thickness. You’ll pay more upfront but save later on. Most people only need 2-3 maintenance sessions a year—with sugaring, you might be scheduling touch-ups every few weeks.
Pain
If you’ve stayed away from these hair removal methods, it’s probably because you’ve heard about the one drawback: They kind of hurt.
Neither one feels great on the skin. Most describe laser hair removal in Surrey, BC, as feeling like a rubber band is being snapped against your skin, and sugaring is similar.
Looking for the least painful method? It’s difficult to say which one is less painful; pain is a subjective experience affected by the area of the body you’re treating and your pain tolerance.
Longevity
Neither option will give you permanent results. Even with repeated laser sessions, you’ll still see some hair grow back eventually.
That being said, laser hair removal tends to last longer than sugaring. After your initial six treatments, you’ll notice the hair grows back slower and thinner. From there, you can book maintenance sessions as needed.
With sugaring, results last up to 4 weeks. Some people notice that the hair grows back slower and thinner with sugaring, too.
With your smooth, razor bump-free skin, you’ll feel comfortable and confident in your body. Want to show off your awesome results? The next step is reading a lingerie styling guide for some fashion inspiration!
Side Effects
Do you have sensitive skin? You might be worried about how these treatments will affect you. Here's the good news: Both treatments are safe for sensitive skin. Aftercare for sugaring and laser hair removal is very similar:
Wear loose clothes to let your skin breathe
Do not exfoliate the area
Wear sunscreen
If your skin is irritated after your appointment, spread aloe vera along the area (or any other soothing lotion).
Between Appointments
If you’ve booked a waxing session before, then you’re familiar with growing your hair out between appointments.
For sugaring, your hair needs to be ¼ inch long (that’s the length of a grain of rice). Otherwise, the sugar paste won’t grab the hair at the root.
Don’t want to let your hair grow out? There’s no need to when you book a laser hair removal session. In fact, you’re encouraged to shave at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Suitable for Everyone?
No matter what skin tone or hair color you’re rocking, you can get great results from a sugaring appointment.
But you can’t say the same about laser hair removal. The device targets the melanin (pigment) in the hair follicle, so for people with darker skin tones and lighter hair colors, the treatment isn’t as effective. It works best for those with pale skin and dark hair.
Before you grab that razor or pair of tweezers, consider trying a different hair removal method! Whether you settle on sugaring or laser hair removal, we hope this guide helps you choose the treatment that’s right for you.
