Sugaring vs. Dermaplaning: Which Facial Treatment is Right for You?

Jillian Crabtree • September 6, 2024

Discover the key differences between sugaring and dermaplaning for smooth, radiant skin.

Sugaring Cheek

Sugaring the entire face and dermaplaning are both popular treatments for achieving smooth, glowing skin, but they work in different ways and offer distinct benefits:


Sugaring the Face:


Method: Sugaring uses a paste made of sugar, lemon, and water, applied to the skin and removed to pull out hair from the root. It's effective for removing fine facial hair (peach fuzz) as well as coarser hair.



Exfoliation: Sugaring offers a mild exfoliation, removing dead skin cells as the sugar paste is pulled away. This can help reveal smoother, brighter skin but without the same level of exfoliation as dermaplaning.


Hair Removal: Sugaring is primarily a hair removal technique and can reduce hair regrowth over time. Hair is pulled from the root, which can lead to slower regrowth and finer hair.


Suitability for Sensitive Skin: Sugaring is gentle and uses natural ingredients, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin or those who want to avoid harsh chemicals.


Downtime: Minimal to no downtime. Clients may experience some redness immediately after but it typically subsides quickly.


Frequency: Treatments are usually spaced 4-6 weeks apart, depending on hair growth.


Dermaplaning:


Method: Dermaplaning uses a sterile surgical blade to gently scrape off the top layer of dead skin cells and fine facial hair (vellus hair).


Exfoliation: Dermaplaning provides a much deeper exfoliation than sugaring. It effectively removes dead skin cells, which can help with issues like dullness, uneven texture, and clogged pores.


Hair Removal: While dermaplaning does remove fine facial hair, its primary focus is exfoliation, not hair removal. The hair will grow back, typically within a few weeks, but it doesn’t reduce hair regrowth over time.


Suitability for Sensitive Skin: Dermaplaning can be suitable for sensitive skin, but it’s more abrasive than sugaring. Those with active acne or rosacea may need to be cautious as it can sometimes irritate the skin.


Downtime: Minimal downtime, but because dermaplaning involves more intensive exfoliation, the skin may be more sensitive to the sun and require extra protection.


Frequency: Dermaplaning can be done more frequently, often every 3-4 weeks.


Key Differences:


Exfoliation Intensity: Dermaplaning provides deeper exfoliation compared to the mild exfoliation of sugaring.

Hair Removal Focus: Sugaring focuses on hair removal and can slow down hair regrowth, while dermaplaning focuses more on exfoliation and brightening the skin.

Suitability for Skin Conditions: Sugaring may be a better option for people with very sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea, whereas dermaplaning offers stronger exfoliation but may irritate certain skin types.


Which to Choose?


Sugaring: If your primary goal is hair removal with some mild exfoliation, and you have sensitive skin, sugaring is likely the better option.

Dermaplaning: If you're looking for deeper exfoliation and brightening of the skin, with the added benefit of removing fine hair, dermaplaning may be ideal.


Many clients opt for both treatments at different times, depending on their skin’s needs.








SUGAR ME

2241 Augusta St

Greenville, SC 29605


Call/Text 864.501.4178



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By Jillian Crabtree January 5, 2026
If you’re searching for waxing in Greenville and keep hearing about sugaring, you’re not alone. Sugaring has become increasingly popular, especially for Brazilian hair removal and sensitive skin, and for good reason. I’m Jillian, the owner of Sugar Me in Greenville, SC. I’ve been sugaring for 15 years and opened my studio to offer a more natural, comfortable alternative to traditional waxing. If you’ve struggled with irritation, ingrown hairs, or painful experiences in the past, this may be exactly what your skin has been waiting for. What is sugaring? Sugaring is a method of hair removal using a simple paste made from sugar, water, and lemon. That’s it. No resins, no chemicals, and no artificial fragrance. Because the ingredients are so minimal, sugaring is safe for even the most sensitive skin. Unlike waxing, sugaring removes hair in the natural direction of growth. This is a huge difference and one of the main reasons clients see less breakage, fewer ingrown hairs, and smoother results over time. Sugaring vs waxing: what’s the difference? Traditional waxing adheres to live skin cells and pulls hair against the direction it grows. This can lead to more discomfort, redness, and irritation, especially for Brazilian services. Sugaring only sticks to dead skin cells and hair. Because it’s removed in the natural direction of growth, it’s gentler on the skin and helps reduce inflammation and post service sensitivity. Many clients who thought hair removal just had to be painful are surprised by how much more comfortable sugaring feels. Why sugaring is ideal for Brazilian hair removal. Brazilian sugaring is one of my most requested services at Sugar Me. Clients love that it’s more tolerable, especially with regular maintenance. Over time, hair often grows back finer and slower, and the skin becomes healthier with consistent sugaring. If you’ve experienced chronic ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or sensitivity from waxing or shaving, sugaring can be a game changer. Is sugaring right for you? Sugaring is great for: • sensitive skin • clients prone to ingrowns • Brazilian and facial hair removal • anyone looking for an all natural alternative to waxing If you’re new to sugaring, we always take time to educate you on the process, aftercare, and maintenance so you know exactly what to expect. Ready to try sugaring in Greenville? If you’re searching for waxing or Brazilian hair removal in Greenville and want a gentler option, we’d love to take care of you. Appointments can be booked online, and you can follow along on Instagram (@sugarmegreenville) to see education, behind the scenes, and real client results. I’m so grateful for every client who supports Sugar Me and can’t wait to welcome new faces this year. SUGAR ME 2241 Augusta St Greenville, SC 29605 Call/Text 864.501.4178 Located inside August Place Salon, Greenville, SC www.sugarmegreenville.com
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