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Threading for Hair Removal

Jun 03 11:13am

Threading is an ancient hair removal method that's finally taking hold in the U.S. Practiced for centuries in India and the Middle East, the technique uses a thin cotton thread to pluck out hairs one by one. The threader wraps the thread around her fingers and holds the other end between her teeth, then glides the twisted thread over the hair, gently pulling it out. It doesn't sound like it should work, but it does!

There are several reasons why this is my favorite method for shaping eyebrows and removing hair from the upper lip, especially if you can't afford (or are not a good candidate for) more expensive options like electrolysis or laser hair removal. Here's why I love it:

Threading is fast and precise: A good threader can expertly shape your eyebrows in just about no time flat.
If you have a skin type that's prone to hyperpigmentation, heat from hot waxing can stimulate melanin production and make dark patches worse. Since threading doesn't involve heat, it solves this problem.
For those using Retin-A or other retinoids, threading is the way to go. Retinoids leave skin more delicate and prone to burning. Waxing is a big no-no because a layer of skin can rip right off with the wax.
It's cheap! High-end salons can charge $20 or more to thread your eyebrows, but if you live in a larger city you can get the same results by exploring salons in your town's Little India. I've had my eyebrows threaded for as little as $3!
Threading is particularly effective when used in conjunction with laser treatments because it offers instant gratification, while the laser provides a long-term solution. Some hair-removal centers even offer threading services on the premises. You see, after laser hair removal, the hair remains in its follicle for a week or more. Threading within 24 hours of a laser treatment will remove these hairs for a smoother look; just note that you still have to wait at least three weeks before your next laser treatment.

Wishing you great brows!

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Dr. Baumann is author of the best-selling book, " The Skin Type Solution." To learn more about her revolutionary skin typing system, visit her Web site, SkinTypeSolutions.com.

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13 Comments Report Abuse

1. 36950eda57d22773de772bb8e15d5b2e - Jun 03 03:00pm

thanx

2. 339e5dbf8f74ce95859c50f8932dd1cf - Jun 03 09:06pm

Thanks a lot..

3. morganaraindancer - Jun 03 10:10pm

Dr. Baumann-

The only and the MAJOR issue with threading is hygiene. The person threading your eyebrows is holding the string with their teeth. THEIR TEETH!!! As a licensed cosmetologist I about get sick every time I hear that people want to do this. Why would you want someone's saliva all over a string that will be on your face?

On top of which there is no license to date that I know of for a person who wishes to thread...meaning that there is no recourse for a client if they are dissatisfied or want to lodge a complaint about sanitary issues to a state board official.

When threading is done without putting the string in your teeth only then is it a decent option for anyone to have done...until then...Tweeze those eyebrows, ladies and gentlemen. It may take more time, but if you cannot afford higher end services or are sensitive to wax....just tweeze it. You can do it yourself or find someone to help you at a salon for about the same price as a wax service. Plus the tweezers sit in barbicide and/or are sprayed with alcohol between clients.

Morgan
Licensed Cosmetologist
IN

4. morganaraindancer - Jun 03 10:13pm

5. dearmisha - Jun 04 06:41am

morganaraindancer, I've had threading done many times and the part of the thread that's in the threader's mouth doesn't touch your face. They hold just the end in their teeth and therer is about 12 inches of thread between that part and the part that touches your face. They thread until the string snaps, then they break off a new piece of thread.

I understand your concern for hygeine, but this is an ancient practice that's been used by literally millions of women and I've never heard of any problems. Do you have any evidence at all that it's contributed to infections?

Sometimes people are uncomfortable with methods from other cultures, but let's not be hysterical here.

6. dia91082 - Jun 05 10:01am

Helpful article Dr. B., the only problem is that it seems that threading can cause facial hair to become thicker and coarser because it increases blood supply to the follicles. That's what the electrologists say on hairtell.com, along with other methods that pull the hair out from the root like waxing and tweezing. I'd love to see an article from you on that. According to what they say, threading eyebrows should be ok, but other areas on the face are susceptible to androgens.

7. krp0279 - Jul 01 07:29am

yes i agree. i have threaded my eyebrows for over a year now. It is easy and where i get mine done it costs $3 and takes less than 5 minutes.

8. moncinajackson - Jul 01 08:20am

I have tried many methods of hair removal (waxing, plucking, Nair/Neet, razor, etc.) and this is by far the best method of hair removal! Just be sure that you can effectively communicate with the threader to ensure that you will get desired results.

9. jennalynn0505 - Jul 01 08:27am

"Threading is fast a precise" unlike my article... "A good threader can expertly shape your eyebrows in just about no time flat" Really... "just about no time flat" is that 30 seconds? 3 minutes? It sounds like a 12 year old wrote this!

10. mhlech - Jul 01 09:40am

I use this really great product that has the same results to remove stray hairs one at a time. It's priced right and I can do it in the privacy of my own home. Maybe you've heard of this product. TWEEZERS!