What’s the difference between strip sugar and traditional sugaring? Beauty expert Rosie Khandwala breaks it down, explaining how strip sugar wax works and why it's becoming a popular, eco-friendly choice for UK therapists.
Over the past three decades, the introduction of strip sugar and traditional sugaring has significantly transformed the waxing industry in the UK. What was once a niche technique rooted in ancient practices has now become a mainstream and growing trend, largely due to its numerous benefits.
Benefits of strip sugar wax:
- Accessibility and ease of learning: Strip sugaring can be learned and applied quickly, making it an ideal choice for therapists of all experience levels.
- Hygienic and cost-effective: Strip sugar wax is applied a spatula, preventing direct contact between the therapist’s hands and the product. This enhances hygiene while also reducing product waste, as less wax is needed per treatment.
- Hypoallergenic: Strip sugar wax adheres only to the hair, not the live skin, minimising irritation and discomfort for clients. It’s also water-soluble, biodegradable, and free from synthetic resins, making it a responsible choice for eco-conscious salons.
- Industry approved and recognised: strip sugar was included in the 2021 National Occupational Standard (NOS) by Habia.
Recognising demand for accessible and sustainable hair removal techniques, accredited training programmes can provide beauty therapists and educators with the skills to introduce strip sugar waxing into their services. Training academies and colleges can benefit from integrating strip sugaring into their curriculum, ensuring that students graduate with the ability to offer an in-demand, environmentally friendly treatment.
Rosie Khandwala is the co-founder of strip sugar brand Aqua Natural. Khandwala grew up using sugar waxing in Tanzania, and began training people in the technique in the UK after she moved here in 1988.
