Terminology in Our Industry
I was inspired to write this blog by a heated discussion in one of the sugaring Facebook groups. The post was about sugaring with strips. Many users, including myself, engaged in the discussion about whether using strips still qualifies as sugaring. This brings us to the core issue: the confusion in the terminology of hair removal methods.
History of Sugaring
Although the method of hair removal using sugar paste has been around for millennia, the term “sugaring” gained popularity in its contemporary context only in the 1980s. It’s unclear who exactly first used the term in this modern context, but its use has spread worldwide thanks to the growing popularity of natural skin care methods.
The term “sugaring” is spelled differently in the West and in countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet, such as Russia or Ukraine, where it is often written as “shugaring.” Despite this, we still see the same method being referred to by various names, such as:
- Sugaring
- Sugar wax/waxing
- Sugaring wax
- Sugar epilation
Definition of Sugaring
Most of us have no doubt about how to precisely define sugaring. I’ll venture a very simplified definition: “A manual technique of hair removal using sugar paste. The technique involves applying the paste against the hair growth and removing it with a specific hand movement in the direction of hair growth.” Do you agree with this definition?
Sugaring vs. Waxing
The closest competitor to sugaring is waxing, but in many ways, it is an opposing, even opposite, method. Let’s set aside the obvious issues of naturalness and environmental friendliness, which are, of course, in favor of sugaring.
You can find more information in the article: Waxing vs. Sugaring: Which Hair Removal Method Should You Choose.
Sugaring with Strips
There is a group of professionals who use strips for sugaring, which can be controversial. Many people calling the procedure “sugaring” or “sugar wax” apply the sugar paste thinly on the skin and remove it with strips. Some do this in the direction of hair growth, while others do the opposite. Various types of strips are used — cotton or non-woven, with the former being more eco-friendly and flexible.
Hair removal with strips is less precise in maintaining the direction of hair growth. The manual technique of applying and removing the paste by hand is much more precise. Some professionals use strips as a last resort when the paste sticks to the skin. Others use strips for eyebrow and upper lip depilation, where it’s easier to maintain order in hair removal in the correct direction.
Disadvantages of Removing Sugar Paste with Strips
- Less Precision: Using strips can lead to less precise hair removal, increasing the risk of ingrown hairs.
- Hair Breakage: Using strips increases the risk of breaking the hair and not removing it from the follicle. Strips are less flexible than paste, and the manual technique removes hair more flexibly from the skin.
- Ecology: Strips, especially non-woven ones, are less eco-friendly compared to the sugar paste used in the manual technique.
Conclusion
Personally, I believe the method of removing sugar paste with strips should be called “sugar wax,” as it is more akin to waxing than to the manual sugaring technique. This is also more precise for clients who know what form of treatment they are opting for. It’s important to remember that some choose this form of depilation for ecological reasons. It’s worth organizing the terminology so that clients have a clear understanding of the methods used. The manual sugaring method requires effort and many years of practice, so it’s important not to confuse it with methods using strips.
Therefore, an appeal to our industry — shouldn’t we consolidate into an association to standardize definitions that guide our industry? Organizing the terminology will not only help educate clients but also ensure greater transparency in the cosmetic industry.
Radek Pielczyk
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