Natural Hair Removal: Ancient Egyptian Art of Body Sugaring

Body sugaring is a method for removing body hair that is a cheap, homemade alternative to waxing (or shaving). The theory behind body sugaring is that the hair is removed by the root, and when it grows back there will be less of it, and it will be softer and not stubbly as it is if a razor had been used.

Body sugaring is done by making a paste of sugar, water, and lemon juice that has been heated to the softball candy stage.

After you have let the paste cool enough so that it won’t burn, you spread it on your skin, cover it with cotton strips of cloth, and then rip the cloth off like one does a bandage. Most find sugaring less painful than waxing.

Due to many requests from readers for this recipe, I have looked hard for what I have finally found and give you here, what I think is the best formula:

INGREDIENTS
2 cups sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup water

Equipment: Candy thermometer

Combine the ingredients in a heavy saucepan, and heat on low using a candy thermometer. Watch the mixture very carefully so that it doesn’t boil over. Heat the mixture to 250 F on the candy thermometer; this is the hardball candy stage.

Remove from the heat and let cool enough to pour into a jar without breaking or melting the jar. (Note that this jar will be reheated in the future. Make sure it is safe for whatever form of reheating you plan to do—in the microwave, or in a pan of water.

Rip clean cotton fabric in 1-inch strips. Make sure the cotton isn’t too coarsely woven.

This next step is very critical: Let the mixture cool enough so that it won’t burn your skin. The first time I did this I didn’t let the blend cool enough and I burned myself! Test the mixture on the palm of your hand, knowing that is much tougher than the sensitive skin under your arms.

Using a dull knife or Popsicle stick, spread the cooled sugar onto your skin. Cover with the cloth strips, let set for a few minutes, and then rip off quickly as you would a bandage.

In the future you can reheat the mixture to a warm and not hot temperature (see above), and reuse. Note that reheating will thicken the paste.

Read more: Beauty, Health, Skin Care, natural hair removal, shaving, waxing

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Therese Z.

11:03PM PDT on May 12, 2013

I love sugaring. I do it at an organic spa in Burbank, their formula is all organic, plus very affordable, I rather have it done by a professional. they charge a special Brazilian bikini sugaring for $40 plus full free arms. you can search them on google they are called arborederm spa. they are on victory blvd

May 12
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Jacinthe L.

2:11PM PDT on Apr 16, 2013

How is the sugaring stored? Should it go in the fridge or is room temp fine? thank you!!!

April 16
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Tim C.

11:28AM PDT on Mar 13, 2013

thanks

March 13
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Briar R.

11:28AM PDT on Oct 26, 2012

I tried this and it didn't work at all. When the wax as the proper consistency it was too hot (got a second degree burn!) and when it was cool enough to apply it was impossible to spread. I'll be sticking with waxing and epilating for sure, this is by far the worst hair removal method i've ever tried.

October 26
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Sheleen A.

2:01AM PDT on Oct 10, 2012

How brilliant, I am going to try this. It s such a huge problem for me to find wax here and I hate the effect of shaving so am really keen to try this. Can it be done on eye brows and facial hair??

October 10
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1:57AM PDT on Oct 10, 2012

Panier D.

6:09PM PDT on Aug 27, 2012

This technique is really excellent, in my opinion. It does take practice, however. I never used a thermometer to make the paste. Simply choose low heat, and stir gently and frequently for the whole duration of cooking. The duration, I find, is around 25 - 30 minutes. Then let it cool off for 1/2 an hour and pour it into a jar. Wait one day, and see the consistency. I have never been able to successfully cook it such that the pieces of cloth are unnecessary. The consistency should be rather tough but still spreadable. I use a piece of wood you can find at home renovation stores for mixing paints to apply the paste. Certainly, use the wood piece for the hair removal exclusively. Removal of the hair also requires practice. I have on many occasions caused skin abrasions that released blood. Certainly, they heal quickly, but when truly done properly, there is nothing like that so I am still mastering the technique. Nothing surpasses the technique from the point of view of cost and ease of clean up.