Should You Thread or Wax Your Eyebrows? (2024)

I'm sure you are familiar with tweezing, shaving and waxing as common hair-removal methods, but have you heard of threading? Threading is actually an ancient Arabic technique that has proven effective and grown in popularity in the Western world. Let's take a closer look at this traditional method and see if it's worth a try.

What is threading?
There are two basic types of hair removal: depilation and epilation. Depilation only affects the part of the hair that's above the surface of the skin (like shaving and chemical depilatories). Epilation removes the entire hair, including the part growing beneath the skin so the effect lasts longer. Threading is an epilation process that uses thread to pull out hair from sensitive areas of the face like the lips and eyebrows (tweezing and waxing are also forms of epilation).

How does it work?
Thread, usually made of cotton, is twisted and rolled along the surface of the skin. As the thread twists, it entangles the hairs, pulling them out of the follicle. As with tweezing, it takes about 3 to 8 weeks for the hairs to grow back out. Unlike tweezing, which requires you to pull out one hair a time (ouch!), you can actually remove a larger area of hair resulting in a cleaner, straighter line and less pain.

What are the pros?

  • Inexpensive - Especially if you do it yourself. The only equipment you need is thread (talk about a bargain!).

  • Gentle - Waxing can remove some skin when ripping out your hair which can be painful and can cause irritation while threading only removes hair. If you have sensitive skin you may want to give threading a try.

  • Chemical-Free - This is one of the only beauty treatments I can think of (other than flossing!) that is truly chemical free (remember that even water is a chemical). If you are looking for a natural hair-removal method, then threading is for you!

What are the cons?

  • Tricky - While inexpensive, this process is very tricky to do yourself. It will take practice and patience. You can certainly go to a pro (which I recommend) for better results but of course that makes it more expensive.

  • Only Good for Small Areas - Threading is great for small facial areas like brows and lips but it's not very efficient for large areas.

  • Time Consuming - While a little quicker than tweezing, threading can be a bit of a slow process which makes methods like waxing and shaving preferable for girls on the go!

Bottom Line
Threading is a safe, effective and natural way to remove hair. It's pretty amazing that a technique that has been around for so long is still a popular and effective treatment. There are certainly quicker, more efficient ways to remove hair from larger areas but for the more delicate skin on your face I think threading is an excellent option!

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Should You Thread or Wax Your Eyebrows? (2024)

FAQs

Should You Thread or Wax Your Eyebrows? ›

Waxing Vs Threading - The Verdict

Is it better to wax or thread eyebrows? ›

For ones with thicker and unshaped eyebrows, waxing will provide a good framework for a great brow and get rid of more hair quicker. Threading is a fine choice for ones just trying to keep a basic natural shape and get rid of a few short hairs.

Is it necessary to thread your eyebrows? ›

Compared to waxing and tweezing, eyebrow threading is usually a much safer, faster and more precise way of shaping your brows and making them appear on fleek. Since the skin around our eyes is delicate, threading allows for extra care and precision, and is also completely natural.

Is threading more sanitary than waxing? ›

Brow threading is inherently more sanitary due to its contactless nature regarding skin. The technique uses a simple thread that doesn't spread bacteria across the skin like waxing can, especially since a new thread is used for each client at The Brow Fixx, ensuring no cross-contamination.

Is threading good for thin eyebrows? ›

Threading also allows for more control and precision, which means you can achieve a more defined shape for your eyebrows. Also, threading can remove even the tiniest hairs, making it an excellent option for those with sparse or fine eyebrow hair.

Does hair grow faster with threading or waxing? ›

Threading gets rids of the finest and smallest hair slower than waxing which can make it more painful. Since threading doesn't remove all the hairs completely from the root, it can cut the hair at the skin which will make the hair grow out faster.

What are the disadvantages of threading? ›

As opposed to waxing, the top layers of skin are not peeled or traumatized in the process. It is important to find an aesthetician who is experienced at eyebrow threading. Inexperienced aesthetician/beautician can result in uneven brows, hair breakage, ingrown hairs, or unnecessary pain and other complications.

Can threading damage eyebrows? ›

According to Time, the main causes of eyebrow threading injuries are poor technique or hygiene on the technician's part. For example, removing unwanted hairs too forcefully can result in cuts, abrasions, bruises, and swelling.

Do eyebrows grow thicker after threading? ›

No, your hair will never grow in thicker or darker after threading. Since threading removes the hair from the root, your hair will become finer over time.

How often should I wax my eyebrows? ›

How often should you get your eyebrows waxed? Results last four to eight weeks, although six weeks is normal for most people, says de la Garza. "You'll want to rebook every four weeks for a more groomed shape or if your brows grow quickly," he says. "But if they're a natural shape, you can stretch to eight weeks."

Why do people thread instead of wax? ›

'Threading is better for allergy sufferers or if you get those god awful pimples after a wax', says Camilleri. 'Some say its a smoother and precise finish - you can get all of the tiny hairs in that are rolled into the thread. ' Threading can also result in a more precise finish (read: twinning eyebrows).

Does waxing eyebrows cause sagging? ›

Does waxing eyebrows cause sagging? There is no evidence to suggest that eyebrow waxing can cause sagging skin. However, it's important to have the procedure done by a licensed professional to avoid any complications.

What hurts the most waxing or threading? ›

The Verdict

Both techniques are genuinely excellent for shaping your brows. But, in terms of pain, threading hurts more than waxing as we've explained above. So, for a person who fears pain, he/she can choose to wax. But, clients with sensitive skin should thread their eyebrows to avoid adverse reactions.

At what age do eyebrows start thinning? ›

“With age, the eyebrow hair follicles become senescent, often producing thinner, finer hairs.” Around the time you reach your 40s, your levels of the hormones estrogen or testosterone start to decline. And with that comes hair thinning and hair loss.

Do women's eyebrows get thicker with age? ›

While the trend for attractive eyebrows have changed over the decades, one thing remains, youthful eyebrows tend to be fuller and longer. Unfortunately, what we see as we age are eyebrows that become sparse and patchy.

What is the best method for eyebrow hair removal? ›

While waxing is a time-saver in the short term, plucking your eyebrows with tweezers can yield much longer-lasting results. An esthetician can tweeze them for you, but if you prefer to do them on your own at home, be sure to pluck one hair at a time in the direction that it grows.

Which is better full face threading or waxing? ›

Threading may be more expensive and less widely available, while waxing can be moderately priced but requires regular salon visits for optimal results. Long-term or short-term results: If you prefer long-lasting results, consider threading or waxing, as both methods remove hair from the root.

Does eyebrow waxing hurt less than threading? ›

It depends on your preference and how sensitive your skin is. For example, eyebrow threading is more painful than waxing, but it is a better hair-removal technique for those with sensitive skin.

Is eyebrow threading more expensive than waxing? ›

Waxing, microblading, and tweezing are all tried-and-true hair removal methods. However, eyebrow threading is a cost-effective alternative that's equally good at shaping your brows. Plus, it's much gentler and less painful than other options like waxing or plucking.

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