The Technique
Sugaring removal technique is completely different than waxing. While waxing removes hair in the opposite direction of hair growth, sugaring does it in the same direction of hair growth. By removing the hair in the same direction of hair growth, it requires less force pulling on the skin, which is the main source of hair removal pain. Thus, sugaring is known to be the least painful method that removes hair from the follicle. Moreover, by applying this technique, there’s less chance of ingrown hair (hair breaking above or below the skin), which is good for your skin.
The Sugar Paste
The substrate of body sugaring can be applied at room temperature or heated to a lukewarm temperature, minimizing the risk of burns and therefore it is less painful compared to waxing. Other than that, compared to waxing method that works by applying the wax to the skin which sticks to hair, the sugar paste doesn’t stick as much to the skin itself. So it is less painful when the hair is being pulled out.
Hair Growth
Body sugaring is less painful because we can already remove the hair as short as 2mm, while waxing requires a minimum of 6mm hair growth. But have you ever wondered why pulling longer hair hurts more than shorter hair? To answer that, first of all, you have to understand that the roots of the same person with long or short hair have the same strength. The hair isn't a tree, it doesn't grow deeper. Different people can have different sensitivity and hair strength, so that might be some of what you are seeing. However, the MAIN thing you are experiencing is greater force. Longer hair lets the puller accelerate longer, and go faster, and so by the time the hair becomes taught, it is pulled harder. And that is why it might give you the sensation that it hurts more.