We've all gotten some caramel on our skin before and know how hard it can be to get off. That stuff is persistent. Now imagine that caramel has somehow landed on your arm. How would you pull it off without pulling out some hair? Well, you wouldn't, and that's exactly why removing hair via sugaring is a thing.

What is sugaring hair removal, and what does it have to do with caramel?

Sugaring is a hair-removal method that relies on a sticky paste made from sugar, lemon juice, and water to remove body and facial hair from the root. The sugary mixture is heated up to form what is essentially caramel (add heavy cream, and you have caramel). After it cools, the caramel-like paste is formed into a ball. That ball then gets smeared onto the skin and quickly pulled up to remove hair.

Sugaring specialists take care to apply the paste against the direction of hair growth. They then pull the paste off in the direction of hair growth, starting with the side they just put down. Removing the hair in the same direction that it grows helps prevent breakage and reduces the risk of ingrowns.

How is sugaring hair removal different from waxing?

One obvious difference is that waxing uses strips. It also feels a bit different. Most people say sugaring is a little more comfortable than waxing. That's because the sugar paste is applied at room temperature, whereas wax is applied hot. Plus, the sugar paste doesn't stick to skin cells the way wax does, so when the paste is removed, it won't remove skin the way wax can.

What areas can be sugared?

The arms, legs, bikini area, underarms—pretty much anywhere. Faces can be sugared as well, but men's beard hair is typically too coarse for sugaring.

How long does your hair have to be for sugaring?

At least 1/8 inches, which is about the amount of growth you get 5–7 days after shaving. It's even better if your hair is a little longer, though anything longer than 3/4 inches will feel more painful.

Because not all hairs in one area grow at the same time, sugarers sometimes advise clients to grow their hair out for at least two months to ensure that they can remove it all. A trim right before a sugaring appointment can get long hairs down to the advised length.

Are there other benefits to sugaring hair removal?

Yes, the sugar paste exfoliates while removing hair, leaving behind smoother, brighter skin.

And like waxing, the more you do it, the less hair grows back. The hair that does grow back is typically finer, too.