Yvette asks: I keep hearing about a hair removal method called “threading.” Can you shed some light on this?
The Right Brain’s catty reply: 
Hi Yvette, I’d be glad to answer your question because hair removal is a hot topic for us - one of the Beauty Brains is known for having bushy, caveman style eyebrows. (I won’t mention any names, but Left Brain you know who you are.)
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. Shaving and chemical depilatories work this way. 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. (Other types of epilation include tweezing, waxing and sugaring.) The threading method is very popular in Middle East countries as well as India and Pakistan.
How does it work?
Thread, usually cotton thread, 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. Threading aficionados claim that using a a growth inhibitor, like Emjoi Cream can help even more. We’re skeptical those products really work so let the buyer beware.
What are the advantages?
It’s supposedly more gentle to the skin, especially facial skin, than waxing or sugaring. That’s because it doesn’t strip the top layer of your skin. It’s also very economical. Really, really, economical. All you need to do is buy thread. If single threading session uses about 12 inches of thread and a typical spool of thread containing 150 yards of thread and costs $1.99, then the cost of a single threading is only about a half a penny. Now that’s a bargain! (Especially when you consider a bottle of Nair costs about $4.00.)
Are there any disadvantages?
It can be tricky to do on yourself and, like tweezing, it’s tough to cover large surface areas. If you want to epilate your bikini area, you’re better off with a product like Wax-cellance.
Have you tried threading? Or do you have another favorite way to remove unwanted hair? Leave a comment and share your secrets with the Beauty Brains community.
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Sharnell Says:
I’ve used threading in the past for hair removal on my upper lip, eyebrows and once for my entire face! It was a very effective method, but not something that I could do on myself. I wouldn’t recommend anyone trying to thread themselves, unless they’ve been trained by someone who really knows how to do it. Otherwise, if you can find a place that offers threading, I say go for it!
Gloria Says:
I’ve tried it on my eyebrows before, and I think I only paid 6 bucks. It feels like someone is tweezing all your hair at once.
When I was younger, I heard that women get their face threaded before their wedding day so make up could be applied much smoother. I think I was 8 when I heard that, so it might only occur in Asia.
SSF Says:
There’s a good video on how to create your own threading instrument here: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-create-a-threading-instrument-to-remove-hair
It’s a complete pain to do by yourself, unless you’re really talented. Best place is to go to a low key salon. The prices they charge at more traditional spas are outrageous.
Grace Says:
For the record, it does hurt… bandaid being pulled off slowly instead of fast, I guess.
Better than waxing for sensitive skin types like me. My skin actually sort of burns and peels after waxing.
Lynnette Says:
Beware of “low end “salons.”"
If you are experiencing burning and peeling after waxing, then the wrong wax is being used on you. Find a salon –a GOOD salon– that offers cream wax. Most of my clients have no problems with this type of wax.
Also, be VERY careful where you get your threading done. I understand that most threaders keep the thread in their mouth. So the thread on your face/skin has their salive on it. Not very sanitary.
I have a friend who is having a class in New Jersey in February if anyone is interested.
buenos dias,
Lynnette
CZ Says:
Hate it. I have oily skin so somethimes the thread doesnt always catch a lot of missed hairs the ladies who thread eventualy give up and start tweezing. I am a sucker for punishment I have done this more than onces and with different people at different places. You can also get little bloody marks around your lip from the thread not pretty. I have a friend who had her whole face threaded she had no hair but a few minutes later she had welts all over her face it took a week to go away. She has dry skin. I like the quickness of a good wax. Because I have fine hair and oily skin I have never had a problem with it.
Daisy Says:
I have my entire face threaded, I have to. After having my son I started growing a beard, similar to a man. Actually it’s not that bad, it is just blond, soft hair, but still not something that leaves me feeling very girly!!!!!! I wouldn’t suggest getting your face waxed or threaded except for eyebrows and upper lip, because, my personal experience, it comes back more. That’s just me. Most people disagree with me, and we are all different!! No one wants a fuzzy face though!
The Beauty Brains » Blog Archive » How Depilatories Work Says:
[...] If you’re using a depilatory, follow the manufacturers’ instructions and test a small site to assess for irritation or allergic reactions. And never use these products on eyebrows, near mucous membranes, or on broken skin. Having said all that MILLIONS of women use these products without any problem at all. So give them a try and see if they work for you. If you’re looking for a chemical free way to remove hair, you might be interested in our post on threading. [...]