Oriental waxing, also commonly known as sugar waxing, involves covering the area of skin in a gooey, caramel-like substance and pulling it back off — similar to traditional waxing — and removing the hairs at the root.
Unlike other forms of waxing, Oriental waxing doesn’t always require strips to pull the wax away. This is because the sugar paste sticks to the hair like wax, but also hardens in the process, forming a solid strip to grip and remove.
A Less Painful Alternative
It is also said to be less painful than hot or cold waxing1. This is because Oriental waxing paste is less likely to stick to your live skin. When removed, the paste takes only the hair and dead skin cells with it, thereby exfoliating your skin in the process.
Oriental waxing paste is commonly found in cosmetic stores and can be a very budget-friendly option compared to regular visits to the salon. An age-old practice, Oriental waxing is a great option if you are a fan of natural ingredients.
How to Apply the Oriental Paste
The warm sugar paste is spread on the skin with the spatula, with strips applied, and is removed against the natural direction of growth, making it possible to remove hair as short as 2mm. This also means the hairs are less likely to break during removal as they are pulled right out from the root.
As the follicle has to rebuild the hair from scratch, when the hairs do grow back, they will often be softer, round-ended hairs rather than the coarse regrowth experienced with shaving3.
Conclusion
Oriental wax can be used effectively on large areas like your legs and smaller, more sensitive areas like your underarm and bikini line. Like waxing, sugaring can leave a residue on your skin, but because the formula is made up almost entirely of sugar, is it very easily dissolved with warm water in a shower. Why not try it for yourself today?
Resources:
- Self, 2018, I Tried Sugaring and I'll Never Get Waxed Again
- Byrdie, 2024, 6 Reasons Why Your At-Home Waxing May Not Be Working
- WebMD, 2014, For Women Only: Best Choices for Hair Removal
