DIY – Sugar Wax Using The Microwave

DIY sugar wax using the microwave is an excellent all-natural at-home alternative. Less stubble and a significant amount of more time hair-free. Who likes the stubble you get right after shaving? Not I.

What is sugar wax?

Sugar wax, also is known as “sugaring,” is a form of hair removal but is much gentler on the skin. You can get it done by a professional waxer or do it yourself at home using the microwave. Sugar waxing dates back to the 1900s where it originated in Persia. It uses three simple ingredients which are lemon, sugar, and water. Sugar waxing can be used with or without wax strip cloth. 

Sugar wax is a honey-like consistency, and when spread onto the skin, it only adheres to the hair. It is said that sugaring is less painful than waxing. When sugaring on myself, I do feel it’s less painful.

Benefits of Sugar Wax

1. Natural Ingredients– Sugaring uses ingredients you can find in your kitchen, which includes lemon, water, and of course, sugar. No random unknown chemicals. You know what you are putting in your mixture. There will be less risk of an allergic reaction and less irritation after the treatment.

2. Reduced Ingrown Hairs- Shaving and aggressive hair removal can cause ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs grow back into the skin. If not appropriately treated and over time, it can lead to infection or cyst. Ain’t nobody got time for that. 

3. Less Hair Growth- Because sugaring pulls hair from the root, the hair follicle becomes damaged, and over time will slow/stop hair growth.

4. Easy Clean-up- Sugar is water-soluble, so cleanup is super simple. Plain water will get rid of any residue. 

5. You Can Make Different Variations At Home- Depending on the temperature and how long you heat the sugar wax in the microwave, you can determine how you apply it and how you remove it. For example, cooked in my microwave for 3 minutes and 30 seconds, I will make a wax where I will apply with a Popsicle stick and remove it with some muslin cloth. If I heat for around a minute longer, I can use it as hard wax. Hard wax can be applied with a Popsicle stick or your fingers, and you do not need a cloth to remove. You simply pull off the wax in the direction of hair growth.

Side note: One of the differences between sugar wax and regular wax is with regular wax you apply in the course of hair growth and pull off in the opposite direction. Sugar wax, you apply in the direction of hair growth and remove in that same direction. 

Cons of Sugaring

• Length of Hair- If you’re someone that can’t go through a hairy phase, you’re going to hate this. Before waxing your hair does have to be a certain length to attach to the hair. About an eighth or a quarter-inch of hair growth is needed. 

• Mixture Consistency of Sugar Wax- This is my biggest issue. Whether you make it on the stove or in the microwave, getting the right consistency of sugar wax is the biggest hassle. The microwave for me, though, is still the easiest method. Everyone’s microwave and stove-top are different. So for how long and how many minutes I cook, my sugar wax can vary from how long you prepare yours. A lot of trial and error is involved. 

• Where To Find Professionals- Many geographic areas do not have any or very slim establishments that offer sugar waxing. But because sugaring is becoming so popular, that may soon change in the near future. 

What body parts can you sugar?

The beautiful thing about sugaring is it can be used on any part of the body such as the chin, underarms, legs, Brazilian, eyebrow, or any other hairy spot on your body. I have sugared my underarms and gave myself a Brazilian Wax.

Different Ways To Make Sugar Wax At Home

Sugar wax can be made in the microwave or on the stove. I am discussing more of making the sugar wax in this post in the microwave because I think the microwave version is more comfortable, some people may disagree.

To make the sugar wax, whether in the microwave or on the stove, is virtually the same. The stove, in my opinion, is more difficult because I believe it’s easier and faster for it to burn and mess up the consistency. As for the microwave, because you’re heating it for 15 to 30 seconds at a time makes it much easier to watch.

You can try both methods at home and let me know what you think. The same measurements you use in the microwave you can use on the stove.

Various Ingredients You Can Use

• Sugars- White sugar or brown sugar can be used. 

• Acids- Lemon juice, lime juice, and apple cider vinegar (ACV) are the most common. 

• Liquids- Water

How long does sugar waxing last?

Sugar waxing can last anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. Everyone’s hair growth rate varies. It also depends on how often and how much hair that person is comfortable with before waxing again. Overall it lasts much longer than shaving.

Does it hurt?

Even though sugar waxing has been said to be less painful than regular waxing because it only grips the hairs, it still can be painful. Also, everyone’s pain tolerances will differ.

Sugar waxing, in my opinion, is less painful, being that I have tried the usual waxing method, chocolate wax, and the hard wax. I do also have a high pain tolerance. To be hair-free for a few weeks, I’ll take it!

Who should sugar wax?

Waxing, in general, isn’t for everyone. If you’ve never had a wax, to begin with, I would advise going to a professional first to see if it’s for you.

Making your sugar wax in the microwave is for the DIYer, pure ingredient lover, money saver, and anyone who just wants and likes to take matters into their own hands. And you also should have some patience with making the sugar wax as consistency with the mixture is vital. 

Who should not sugar wax?

Sugar waxing is not for you if you have very low pain tolerance, don’t care if natural ingredients are being used, or if you are simply okay with just using a razor. 

My Experience

I have sugared myself on three different occasions. I used it on my underarms and bikini area each time. Not much hair grows on my legs, so no need to waste wax there.

The good- Sugaring is less painful. The ingredients I already had in my kitchen, and it was simple to mix. Sugaring lasted just as long as regular waxing and, of course, much longer than shaving.

The Bad- Trying to get the consistency right each time is tricky. The first time went very well. The second and third time, the wax came out like a honey consistency as it should but then hardened fast. I’m not sure why because I did the same amount of time as from when I first trialed it. Trying to fix the consistency once already made is even a more significant difficulty. Again patience is crucial.

Will I continue sugaring?- The truth, I will not continue sugaring because getting the consistency I wanted is too much of a hassle, and I wasted more time trying to get the mixture right than sugaring myself. What I do now is still wax myself, but with a kit, I found on Amazon. Not natural ingredients but much more of a time saver. I will be doing a review later in another post. I am going to try sugaring again in the future because I love the natural ingredients, but as for right now, it’s on hold.

Precautions

You should avoid waxing or talk to your healthcare provider if you have any skin conditions such as Rosacea or if you are on any blood thinners. Waxing is pulling hair from the root, and some bleeding may occur.

Recap

Sugar waxing is simple and can be made at home right in your microwave. Ingredients used are sugar, water, and lemon juice. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you can go to a professional, though your options may be limited in certain areas.

The benefits of sugaring include natural ingredients, reduced ingrown hairs, less hair growth, and easy cleanup. If you are a DIYer, love taking matters into your own hands, and have patience, then this homemade sugar wax in the microwave is for you.

If you have tried sugaring before, let me know in the comments or send me an email. Did you go to a professional or do it yourself? How did it work for you? Would you do it again?

The recipe is down below!

Talk to you soon!

Andie 🙂

[lt_recipe name=”Homemade Sugar Wax (Microwave Method)” servings=”1-2″ prep_time=”2 MIN” cook_time=”3-4 MIN” total_time=”6″ difficulty=”Medium” print=”yes” ingredients=”2 tbs of water;2 tbs lemon juice(can substitute for lime juice or apple cider vinegar);1/2 cup of granulated sugar” ]Mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe and shatterproof glass bowl. Microwave ingredients in 30-second increments. It will start to bubble. Do not let it bubble over. Take out and stir occasionally. It will be ready when the color changes to a golden brown similar to the color of honey. The consistency will be more runny at first, then will start to thicken as it cools. The mixture will be hot! Do not apply right after taking out of the microwave.[/lt_recipe]