Before razors and lasers came into existence, Egyptian Sugaring was a popular method of hair removal that was even purportedly used by Cleopatra. Despite its origins that date back multiple centuries, it remains a popular beauty treatment to this day, and is considered an effective, natural, and less painful way of removing body hair.

“The earliest references to hair removal came from the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece,” says Gunna Covert, Master Esthetician at DAPHNE Studio and Penelope & The Beauty Bar. “Early writings out of Mesopotamia tell of kings asking that women be brought to them clean and smooth. In other words, hairless. Ancient Egyptians placed a high importance on aesthetics and cosmetics.”

Spa Profile: Penelope & The Beauty Bar

Here, Covert answers all of our questions about Egyptian sugaring and discusses its benefits, who is a candidate for it, and more.

What is Egyptian sugaring?

Sugaring is a traditional ancient Egyptian method of hair removal. This technique is safe and 100% natural, using a paste made from lemon, sugar and water. There are no chemical additives and it can be applied on any body part. It’s applied to the skin and removes hair in the direction of the hair growth. Sugaring removes the hair from the root (the bulb at the end of the hair which looks like an onion), and is a far superior method of hair removal because when you remove the root, the follicle will have less blood supply to it over time, which will in turn weaken it. You’ll get less hair growth each time and the hair that does grow will be finer and sparser. 

Is it different from standard sugaring?

Most sugaring studios offer strip sugaring, although the traditional Egyptian Sugaring method has far more benefits than common strip sugaring. Egyptian sugaring is where sugaring started and using your hands to mold it into the skin is the traditional way. It’s more effective since you’re able to apply more pressure and get the sugar molded into the skin better. When you use the strip you lose some of that contact and you aren’t as successful at getting those roots (bulbs) out.

Who is a candidate for it?

Sugaring is better for people with sensitive skin or on sensitive areas of the body. Sugar pulls less on the skin compared to waxing, so it causes less irritation to the skin. 

How long does a session last?

It depends on the technician performing the service and how much area you are doing. It’s usually about the same time as with waxing. 

What are its benefits?

Sugaring is better for sensitive skin because there is less risk of breakage due to the fact that the sugar paste is more moldable and adheres to hair and the root. Waxing just breaks the hair off at the surface and can remove a top layer of skin in the process. Sugaring is 100% natural, and as mentioned, our paste consists of only sugar, lemon, and water with no chemical additives that can irritate the skin. It safely removes hair from the follicle, which results in minimal discomfort and irritation, helps eliminate ingrown hairs, and provides superior, healthy, hairless results.

Sugaring is also bacteria-resistant and doesn’t adhere to live skin cells—only to the hair and dead skin cells, which means less irritation and discomfort. There can still be a bit of an “ouch” factor with sugaring since it’s pulling out hair from the root. However, the feedback we’ve received from our guests is that most do find it less painful than waxing. Our sugar paste is slightly warm—not hot.

Are there different ways to perform sugaring?

Sugaring paste is used in the traditional way of sugaring and is applied in the direction against the hair growth, then pulled in the same direction as it grows. Sugaring gel is used for strip sugar and is applied like waxing with the hair growth and pulled against the growth. Strip sugaring, like wax, also uses the cloth to remove the sugar. 

For more information and to book a treatment, visit daphne.studio and penelopeaandthebeautybar.com. Follow them on Instagram: @daphne.nolita and @penelopeandthebeautybar

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk