Established In 1994
Table of contents
- Expert Insight: What Does SalonServe’s Founder Think About Sugaring?
- What Is Waxing?
- What Is Sugaring?
- How Do Sugaring and Waxing Work?
- Pros and Cons of Waxing vs Sugaring
- Post-Sugaring or Waxing Treatment: What to Avoid
- Cost, Convenience and Profitability for Salons
- Charge More for Sugaring and Clients Will Happily Pay
- FAQs: Quick Answers for Salon Owners
- Final Takeaway: Should Your Salon Offer Waxing, Sugaring, or Both?
Hair removal remains one of the most in-demand beauty services, with clients increasingly prioritising comfort, effectiveness, and skin health. As salon professionals, choosing the right method – sugaring, waxing, or both – is a strategic decision that affects client satisfaction, staff training, service pricing, and product investment.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about sugaring vs waxing. From process and aftercare to profitability and product recommendations, this article is your go-to reference for deciding which service best suits your salon and clientele.
Expert Insight: What Does SalonServe’s Founder Think About Sugaring?
We asked Claire, founder and CEO of SalonServe, what she thinks of sugaring as a salon service. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, Claire has trained hundreds of beauty professionals in the art of traditional sugaring – many of whom have gone on to run thriving, successful businesses.
“Sugaring is more than a treatment – it’s a skill that, when done right, sets a salon apart. Clients love it, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for therapists to specialise in something that’s both effective and in high demand.”
– Claire, Founder & CEO of SalonServe
We asked Claire:
“In your experience, what’s the biggest reason clients choose sugaring over waxing – and what keeps them coming back?”
“The biggest reason clients switch to sugaring is how gentle it is on their skin. They notice less irritation, fewer ingrown hairs, and smoother results that last. Once they’ve experienced it, they rarely go back to waxing. What really keeps them coming back is the comfort and the results – especially when it’s done properly using the hand technique. It feels more like a personal treatment than a routine service, and that connection builds real loyalty.”
What Is Waxing?
Waxing is a long-standing hair removal method that uses resins or wax compounds to adhere to hair and remove it from the root. It comes in two main forms:
- Soft wax: Applied in a thin layer and removed with a fabric or paper strip. Best for large areas like legs, arms, and backs.
- Hard wax: Applied thickly and removed without strips. Ideal for sensitive areas like the bikini line, underarms, and face.
Key ingredients often include resins, beeswax, and additives for texture or scent. Some formulations are also hypoallergenic or designed for specific skin types.
Waxing Process
- The wax is heated (using a professional wax heater – learn how to choose the right one).
- The wax is then applied in the direction of hair growth. Wax can be applied by spatula, hand or roller depending on the wax type.
- Once set, the wax is pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Explore our full SalonServe wax range for 5-star rated, premium-quality waxes designed to suit every client and treatment type.
At SalonServe, we’re proud to offer our own branded professional waxes, trusted by salons across the UK for their quality and results.
As well as our popular in-house wax range, we also stock a wide selection of leading industry brands, including Cirépil by Perron Rigot, SalonSystem Just Wax, Hive Wax, Clean + Easy, MonuSkin, and Oritree – giving you the flexibility to choose the perfect product for your salon’s needs and your clients’ skin types.
What Is Sugaring?
Sugaring is a hair removal method rooted in ancient Middle Eastern traditions. It uses an all-natural paste made from sugar, lemon juice, and water, offering a gentler and more eco-conscious alternative to traditional waxing.
Trusted for over 30 years, SalonServe’s Zahra Sugar Paste is a premium paste, offering multiple consistencies, designed for smooth, long-lasting results.
Sugaring Process
- The paste is applied (usually by hand) at room temperature or slightly warmed.
- The sugaring paste is gently massaged onto the skin in the direction of hair growth to grip longer hairs. It’s then flicked off in the opposite direction, removing the hair from the root. Because the paste is so gentle, it can also be applied against the hair growth to catch any short or stubborn hairs, ensuring a thorough result.
- The paste is removed both with and against the direction of hair growth, helping to minimise breakage and irritation while ensuring even the shortest hairs are effectively removed.
Sugaring paste is water-soluble, making clean-up quick and easy, and it’s often suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
How Do Sugaring and Waxing Work?
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you weigh your options clearly:
| Feature | Waxing | Sugaring |
| Ingredients | Resins, beeswax, oils, additives | Sugar, lemon juice, water |
| Temperature | Heated before application | Room temp or gently warmed |
| Application | With or against hair growth | With & Against hair growth |
| Removal | Opposite direction of hair growth | Opposite direction of application. |
| Clean-up | Requires oil or special removers | Rinses off easily with water |
| Skin Suitability | May sometimes irritate sensitive skin | Often better for sensitive or allergy-prone skin |
| Ideal for | Legs, arms, brows, bikini, chest, back | All areas, especially sensitive zones such as the face. |
Pros and Cons of Waxing vs Sugaring
| Waxing | Sugaring | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | 1. Fast and efficient for large areas. 2. Long-lasting results (3–6 weeks). 3. Broad product availability, with a wide selection from SalonServe waxes. | 1. Natural and gentle; excellent for eco-conscious branding. 2. Easier clean-up and no need for post-treatment oil. 3. Less breakage and irritation, potentially leading to more satisfied clients. 4. You can charge 10-30% more per treatment for traditional hand sugaring. |
| Cons | 1. Can cause skin irritation or redness. 2. Higher risk of ingrown hairs and sensitivity. 3. Requires heating equipment and careful temperature control. | 1. Slower process; takes more time per treatment. 2. Paste can be sensitive to humidity and temperature. 3. Requires specialised training in technique (though easier to master over time). |
Post-Sugaring or Waxing Treatment: What to Avoid
Client comfort doesn’t end after treatment – it continues with proper aftercare. Here’s what to recommend:
Top Aftercare Products
- Fragrance-free moisturisers: Hydrate without irritation.
- Soothing oils like jojoba or grapeseed.
- Aloe vera gel: Reduces redness and inflammation.
- Exfoliating gloves or gentle scrubs: Begin using 2–3 days post-treatment to prevent ingrowns.
Check out SalonServe’s extensive range of pre and after care oils, lotions and gels.
SalonServe Pre & After Wax Care
What Clients Should Avoid
- Hot showers or saunas for 24 hours.
- Tight clothing that causes friction.
- Intense workouts or sun exposure immediately after.
- Applying fragranced products, self-tanners, or makeup on treated areas.
Salons often report that clients new to waxing or sugaring worry about bumps, redness, or ingrown hairs. Equip your team with calming product recommendations and clear aftercare guides to boost retention and referrals.
Cost, Convenience and Profitability for Salons
| Factor | Waxing | Sugaring |
| Product Cost | Moderate but can range to high for more premium waxes | Lower (natural ingredients, longer shelf life) |
| Training | Standardised, widely available | May require additional technique learning |
| Time Per Treatment | Generally faster | Can take longer, especially for larger areas |
| Cleanup & Waste | Requires strips and oil-based removers | Minimal cleanup, no strips or solvents needed. Water Soluble. |
| Client Return Rate | High with satisfaction | High, especially with sensitive clients, long term use promotes hair diminishment. |
While waxing is faster and more widely recognised, sugaring appeals to the growing segment of clients looking for natural, vegan, or gentle alternatives. Many modern salons opt to offer both, increasing their service flexibility and attracting a broader clientele.
Charge More for Sugaring and Clients Will Happily Pay
Pricing for hair removal services will naturally vary depending on your location. For example, you can typically charge more in major cities like London than in regional areas such as the Midlands. However, when it comes to traditional hand sugaring, the pricing should reflect not just geography but the skill and technique involved.
While sugaring products are generally inexpensive, the method – especially when done by hand -requires greater precision and training. Clients aren’t just paying for the product; they’re paying for a specialised service.
You should absolutely charge more for traditional sugaring than for waxing. That said, if you’re simply swapping out wax for sugar and applying it in the same way as wax (using strips), the treatment will be quicker, less thorough, and should be priced similarly to a standard waxing session.
You can charge more for traditional sugaring – and many professionals do. Here’s why it’s justifiable and how to position it as a premium salon service:
Reasons You Can Charge More:
- Natural Ingredients: Sugaring paste typically contains only sugar, lemon, and water – ideal for clients who value natural or hypoallergenic treatments.
- Less Irritation: The gentler technique makes sugaring suitable for sensitive areas or clients prone to ingrown hairs.
- More Skill Required: Especially with the hand-moulding method, sugaring takes precision and training.
- Smoother Results: Removing hair in the natural growth direction helps reduce breakage and extends smoothness.
- Eco-Friendly Appeal: Water-soluble and biodegradable, with zero strips or spatulas required.
- Premium Perception: Many clients see sugaring as a more luxurious or boutique-style service.
How Much More?
While pricing varies by location, it’s common for salons to charge 10–30% more for sugaring than for waxing. For example:
- Brazilian Wax: £35 – 40
- Brazilian Sugaring: £45 – 55
Position sugaring as your premium hair removal service – gentle, effective, and aligned with client wellness trends. A sample pitch might be:
“Our traditional sugaring service is a natural, skin-friendly alternative to waxing. It’s ideal for sensitive skin and delivers beautifully smooth, long-lasting results with less irritation.”
FAQs: Quick Answers for Salon Owners
Q: Can I use the same treatment room setup for both sugaring and waxing?
Yes, but be sure to adjust the heating and prep materials accordingly.
Q: Which service is more beginner-friendly for new salon staff?
Waxing may be easier to teach initially, but sugaring becomes intuitive with consistent practice.
Q: Are clients more likely to request one over the other?
Trends vary by location, but there’s rising demand for sugaring, especially among clients with sensitive skin or a preference for natural beauty. Therapists that are experts in Sugaring have loyal followers.
Q: Can I charge more for sugaring than waxing?
Yes – many salons charge 10–30% more for sugaring. It’s seen as a premium, natural service that’s gentler on the skin and eco-friendly. Clients often value the added benefits and are willing to pay for a more comfortable, skin-conscious experience.
Final Takeaway: Should Your Salon Offer Waxing, Sugaring, or Both?
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your clientele, team experience, and branding goals. Offering both sugaring and waxing allows your salon to cater to a wider range of clients – from those seeking fast, traditional waxing to those prioritising gentler, natural care.
Explore SalonServe’s professional wax collection and read our guide to choosing the right wax heater to get started. If you’re ready to expand your services or refine your menu, now’s the perfect time to elevate your hair removal game.
The SalonServe Promise
We have a team of highly qualified employees that pay close attention to detail. We are committed to providing you with outstanding customer service at all times, and our trained therapists are on hand to answer any questions.
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