Waxing and shaving are common hair removal techniques to get rid of unwanted hair in certain areas of the body. Some people may also turn to advanced techniques such as electrolysis or hair removal through lasers to remove unwanted hair.
These methods may be effective. But preparing mentally and physically for the procedures through rounds of seemingly never-ending appointments can seem overwhelming.
Sugaring is a simple hair removal technique that is gaining popularity very fast.
It is not a new or innovative technique, though. Sugaring has its origins in the Egyptian era. Sugar was a key beauty ingredient in ancient Egypt in 1900 BC.
The ingredients for removing unwanted hair from your skin through sugaring are quite simple. Ingredients include mostly lemon, water, and sugar. These ingredients are heated till they reach a syrup-like consistency. The sticky syrup attaches itself to hair, making hair removal easy and effective.
Salons are increasingly offering this method, which has increased its popularity.
It is important to understand the process of sugaring to understand the ways it can affect your skin and the aftercare you need to implement to minimize damage.
Table of Contents:
- What Happens During Sugaring?
- Why Should You Consider Sugaring?
- Sugaring Aftercare
- Be Prepared for Ingrown Hair
- Exfoliate
- Stay Away from the Sun
What Happens During Sugaring?
A mix of ingredients mentioned above is prepared and heated to body temperature. It is then cooled down.
Meanwhile, the hair removal site is cleaned, and the cooled mix is applied to the area. It is applied in a direction opposite to which hair grows. A series of quick motions ensue to pull the paste in the direction your hair grows. As you pull out the paste, hair adhered to the paste also gets pulled out.
Time taken for the procedure depends on the amount of hair and the site of hair removal.
You can get sugaring done at salons, or you could buy sugaring kits to get the job done at home.
Ensure that you have hair that has grown at least a few millimeters long before booking an appointment for sugaring. If you have sunburnt skin or infected or irritated skin at the hair removal site, then get the issue addressed before undergoing the treatment.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Tension Bumps on the Scalp
Now that you know what tension bumps are, their symptoms, and their causes, let’s take a look at the five easiest remedies you can do at home.
-
Relieve the Tension
The foremost thing you must do to get rid of tension bumps on the scalp is to relieve the tension.
If a tight hairstyle causes them, open it and let your hair down. Switch to relaxed hairstyles or leave your hair loose for a few weeks. Avoiding tight hairstyles altogether in the future may also help prevent the condition from recurring.
If the tension bumps were caused by shaving, stop shaving for a few weeks or change your shaving technique. For example, if you have been using a hand razor, you can switch to an electric one.
-
Drain the Pus
Pus drainage is your body’s natural defense mechanism against infections. If you notice white or yellow pus oozing from the bumps, you should promote it to speed up the healing process.
You can do this by soaking a clean towel in warm water and holding it to the bumps for a few minutes. Then, gently wipe off any pus that was released. You can do this up to thrice a day. However, you must ensure that the towel you use is very clean every single time, so you don’t introduce any more germs to the infected area.
-
Use an Anti-dandruff Shampoo
Anti-dandruff shampoos usually contain anti-fungal ingredients such as ketoconazole and tea tree oil. They can clear up the infection and also promote a healthier scalp environment to reduce the chances of contracting an infection again.
Using a 100% natural shampoo containing green tea and tea tree extracts is a great way to get rid of the infection while keeping your hair soft and shiny.
-
Use Cortisone Cream
Cortisone cream is a steroid in a cream form that can provide you some relief from itching, burning, and inflammation. It functions by weakening your body’s defense mechanisms. It is available without a prescription from the majority of pharmacies or online.
You can use it up to twice a day in case of mild tension bumps on the scalp. However, ensure that you clean your skin before applying the cream.
-
Keep It Clean
Since tension bumps thrive on fungi and bacteria, it’s crucial to keep the skin as well as your products clean. You can use antibacterial soap to clean the affected area once or twice a day.
Apart from that, you must keep your pillows, bedding, hair accessories, combs, and hair brushes clean. If an accessory like a comb or hat comes into contact with the infected skin, wash it right away and ensure it’s clean before the next use.
Why Should You Consider Sugaring?
The process of sugaring — applying the ingredient paste and pulling it to remove hair – may sound similar to waxing. But there are some significant differences between the processes.
In waxing, the wax is applied along the direction in which hair grows. While pulling, the wax is pulled in a direction opposite to hair growth. This direction of pulling can damage hair follicles by breaking them. The damage is owing to the fact that hair follicles are in the opposite direction of pulling.
In sugaring, the paste is applied in a direction opposite to hair growth, while pulling happens along the direction of hair growth. As a result, hair follicles remain intact.
In addition to protecting hair follicles, sugaring offers the following benefits:
- It involves the application of a cooled mixture to the hair. As the mix is cooled before application, it sticks only to the hair and not to the skin.
- As a result, this process does not remove skin cells to the extent that waxing does.
- Sugaring can be used to remove hair from different parts of the body, including underarms, face, arms, legs, bikini region, and back.
- Sugaring could be less painful than waxing, according to some users.
- Sugaring is gentler and less irritating on the skin than waxing.
- Regular sugaring can result in hair that is thinner and softer than before.
- Cleaning up after a sugaring treatment is easier. This is because the ingredients are mixed in water. You can easily wash off the mix from your body and clothes. Even stubborn residue can be washed off with some extra water.
Sugaring Aftercare
It grows like bumps on the skin and can be painful too. Hair removal methods, including sugaring, waxing, shaving, and tweezing, can cause ingrown hairs.
You are at higher risk for developing ingrown hair if you have curly or rough hair.
Reduce the risk of ingrown hairs with these precautions:
- Your sugaring aftercare starts even before the treatment. Stop exfoliation 2 or 3 days to the day of the appointment. Gapless exfoliation before the appointment can lead to over-exfoliation.
- Stay away from exfoliating your skin for at least 48 hours after getting sugaring done. Exfoliation should be a key element in your sugaring aftercare routine, but not immediately.
- Stop yourself from picking at stray hairs or stubble by shaving or tweezing. Doing so can give way to ingrown hairs.
- Use essential oils such as tea tree oil and lavender oil to reduce ingrown hairs. These oils replenish the skin with nourishment and moisture. Essential oils help deal with the redness and pain in the affected area with their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
As beneficial as the sun is, it is one of the top enemies to your hair. Too much of it will dry out your hair and cause unwanted breakage. If you are outside for long periods of time, wear a hat or any other covering available to you. You should also make a habit of using hairspray with SPF protection for optimal protection from sun damage.
Another important hair protection routine that may seem obvious is frequent conditioning. This enhances the production of the natural oils that your hair needs for a natural shine. You have to condition your hair no matter how oily it normally is. There is a perfect conditioner for every hair type, e.g., lightweight conditioners for oily hair. You can also minimize the oils by avoiding the roots when applying the conditioner. If you have dry hair, normalize using hydrating conditioners.
Lastly, always apply heat serum or heat spray before using hot tools on your hair, e.g., blow drying or curling.
What to Eat for Healthy Hair
Your hair cannot be strong and healthy when the rest of your body is unhealthy. Always ensure that you eat right and take in the right nutrients.
Some of the nutrients that your hair needs are essential fatty acids, vitamin B6, proteins, and folic acid. You can get fatty acids from almonds, salmon, walnuts, and tuna. The best sources of vitamin B6 are spinach, bananas, and potatoes, while the best protein sources are soy products, fish, whole grain beans, chicken, and eggs.
Also, eat lots of fresh citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vegetables because they are rich in folic acid.
Note: Smoking is harmful to your hair.
-
Exfoliate
You could exfoliate your skin 48 hours after sugaring. Your skin can still be more sensitive than it normally is, which is why using gentle skin care products is crucial.
You may want to try the Apple Cider Vinegar Face Wash for the gentlest care. This formulation is free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, mineral oils, and harsh chemicals. Apple cider vinegar benefits the skin with its natural astringent properties. Aloe vera extract provides excellent moisturization.
Vitamin E protects from any kind of inflammation, while pro-vitamin B5 preserves skin moisture, keeping it radiant, soft, and elastic.
The built-in applicator brush deepens exfoliation by removing dead skin cells and impurities. The silicone bristles lift impurities from pores, contributing to a deeper cleanse. The circular motion of the soft bristles improves blood circulation to the skin.
You may want to try the Apple Cider Vinegar Foaming Body Wash for other areas exposed to sugaring.
-
Stay Away from the Sun
Sun exposure can hurt your skin as it is still sensitive after a sugaring treatment. You can use sunblock. You may want to use the Vitamin C Serum by WOW Skin Science for excellent skin protection against the sun.
This serum comes with vitamin C, which protects skin from free radical damage caused by sun exposure. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent moisturizer that keeps skin soft and plump. Witch hazel extract functions as a clarifying agent, not only cleansing skin but also repairing it if needed. Glycerin improves skin hydration.
You can return to your normal skin care routine after a couple of days or as per instructions from your stylist. The products mentioned above are an excellent choice for your regular skin care routine too.
Keep your skin clean with an exfoliator and moisturize with hydrating agents in between sugaring treatments. This routine keeps your skin looking young and healthy and minimizes damage from sugaring.
You may want to explore other skincare products from WOW Skin Science. These products are 100% natural, with only botanical extracts and well-researched formulations powering them. They are completely vegan and dermatologically tested.
If you are considering sugaring, then talk to your dermatologist or stylist to know if it is right for you. Sugaring is less taxing compared to traditional hair removal methods. It gives efficient results as well. With good aftercare, you can address skin concerns related to sugaring.