Eyebrow Threading - What to Know Before the Appointment!🧵

Waxing, tweezing, threading, shaving. Nowadays, there are so many different ways to groom and shape your eyebrows. However, the most recent trend when it comes to brow care and getting rid of unwanted hairs is eyebrow threading. If you’re scrolling through Instagram and you see an “I woke up like this” selfie from your favorite influencer and their brows seem to look perfect, chances are they’ve had some threading done.

You may have heard a lot of different things about threading, but we’re here to give you the facts and help you decide whether its right for you or not.

Where Did it Come From?

Although threading is a more recent trend here in America, the practice has been around for over 6,000 years. It originated in the Eastern culture and was actually considered a rite of passage for most women. The ritual was performed right before a woman’s wedding day to represent her new role as a wife.

Fast forward a few thousand years, in 1980 a small salon in California called Ziba Beauty first introduced the concept of threading to Western civilization. In the past few years, the popularity of this facial hair removal has skyrocketed, and many salons have opened up with the specialty of threading in mind.

The Basics

If you’re trying to decide whether to get your brows threaded or not, you probably want to know what it’s all about before making your decision. Don’t worry, we’ve broken it all down for you, so you have all the info in one place.

What is Threading?

We are so glad you asked. It is a type of facial hair removal when two string-like pieces of cotton thread are used in a criss-cross fashion, and as the two pieces are moved between the technician’s hands, the stray hairs and peach fuzz around your eyebrows are pulled from the root. This is especially effective compared to something like brow shaving, where the hair is simply cut instead of pulled.

One of the benefits of threading is that, unlike waxing, there’s no risk of irritation from any sort of substance. You can expect some redness once the threading is over, and if you have sensitive skin the redness may last longer than people with non-sensitive skin.

Most technicians offer a cooling gel or aloe vera to reduce the redness and irritation. It is also advised to refrain from applying makeup for the first day or so after your appointment. This is because you don’t want to unnecessarily irritate the sensitive area even further.

Does Threading Hurt?

The very first time I got my eyebrows threaded, I was very scared. All of my friends told me that the pain was almost unbearable and that they had actually cried during the process. Despite their horror stories, I went ahead with my appointment because they all said the results were very much worth the pain. And I’m here to report that it wasn't so bad.

I’m not going to lie; the pain is pretty intense but bearable. But the reason it’s so worth it is because it is a very quick process literally only takes 5 minutes, depending on the shape and size of your brows. And the result is brows with a clean, precise finish that you can’t get with any other hair removal method. If you wear makeup, eyebrow threading makes it incredibly easy to fill them in with a pencil or pomade because you have a perfect outline to work with.

How Much Does Threading Cost?

Depending on the salon or technician, the price can range anywhere from $10 to $35. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

How Long Does it Last?

The results can typically last anywhere from 4-5 weeks. You can also get repeated threading in between full appointments to keep your brows looking picture perfect and ready to go. Or if you’d prefer an at-home option, you can tweeze the hairs that start to grow back If you’re looking for a quick, free fix.

Eyebrow Waxing vs Threading: Which One is Better?

Now that we’ve gone over eyebrow threading in-depth, let’s compare and contrast. The first thing you want to consider when comparing eyebrow waxing vs threading is the pain factor. With the way eyebrow threading work it leaves your eyebrows feeling smooth and soft with no irritation or redness after your skin calms down in a few hours.

On the other hand, waxing can leave some people with very sensitive skin irritated and red for a longer time (some people even get blisters). If you have really bad acne breakouts on your forehead as I do sometimes, then threading would be my top pick because it is removing hair without too much irritation… which means NO MORE ZITS.

Leave the Threading for Your Eyebrows Only

Now that we’ve convinced you to get your brows threaded, you’re probably trying to think of other parts of your body you can use this hair removal method on. However, because your eyebrows are a relatively small area of hair on your body, it makes threading ideal. If you were to try to get a different area of your body threaded (your legs, for example) the process would take much longer, not to mention you’d probably get a little antsy from the pain.

The only other body part we would recommend getting threaded is your upper lip. It’s still a very small area and only takes minutes for the process to be over. So, if you have stubborn upper lip hair that you’re tired of waxing, ask your technician if they offer upper lip threading. If they do, it is typically a very cheap and quick service to add on to your brow threading appointment.

Also, be sure to whoever you choose to go to is a professional and they have proper credentials for skin treatments the perform. There are lots of horror stories of fake professionals offering to do very discounted threading to attract customers. So, remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Is Eyebrow Threading Right for You?

If you are tired of trying to shape your brows at home, and you are looking for a quick, inexpensive, long-lasting option, you definitely should give threading a try. The results are amazing, the upkeep is minimal, and chances are there’s definitely a salon near you that offers it. So next time you’re in need of some brow shaping, look up some reviews and try a local threading salon in your area.

FAQ

Why eyebrow threading is bad?

Eyebrow threading is less harsh on the skin than waxing, but it may transmit the herpes virus and other skin diseases through unclean threads, hands, and damaged skin.

What is threading of eyebrows?

Threading of eyebrows is an ancient hair removal technique.  It uses a cotton thread which is twisted and rolled over the eyebrow area to pick up the unwanted hair.

What is the average cost of eyebrow threading?

On average eyebrow threading costs $10-$25 for basic eyebrow shaping.

Is eyebrow threading painful?

Yes, it is painful but not as much as waxing.

Is eyebrow threading ok for sensitive skin types?

Since threading is a more natural method of hair follicle removal, it won't irritate your skin the way waxing does.

Most eyebrow threading salons should be able to offer you a better idea of what your skin can handle before threading. Depending on the type of salon, they may even have their own products for sensitive skin, such as aloe vera or a cooling gel, which will reduce irritation and redness after eyebrow threading. Also, make sure to avoid direct sunlight right after you get your brows done.

Is eyebrow threading safe?

As long as you go to an experienced professional with good credentials, eyebrow threading should be totally fine! It's one of the least invasive methods out there and usually doesn't cause any skin damage.