Threading also called khite in Arabic and fatlah in Egyptian, is a less common method in the West for removing hair at the root, used primarily on facial hair. Rows of stray hairs are yanked out with twists of cotton thread.
Threading hair is so basic to women in the Middle East and India that it can be compared to girls learning to braid each other’s hair as children. Traditionally, threading is used on the entire face, including upper lip, chin, eyebrows, sideburns and cheeks. Most American cosmetologists are not trained in the procedure. Threading requires using a trained practitioner for removing unwanted hair temporarily.
How does Threading work?
The way threading works is that the practitioner uses a piece of regular cotton thread and through a series of twisting the thread, removes unwanted hair from the skin by entwining the hair in the thread. The benefit of threading as a hair removal technique is that the hair can be removed at any length. Hair re-growth usually occurs within 2-4 weeks after threading.
How to Do Threading
The first time you have threading done, you should have it done by a practitioner. Pay careful attention to the method the practitioner uses so you can do threading yourself. Consider it “tuition” so you can learn how to do it yourself.
The practitioner holds one end of the cotton thread in his or her teeth and the other in the left hand. The middle is looped through the index and middle fingers of the right hand. The practitioner then uses the loop to trap a series of unwanted hairs and pull them from the skin. There are also devices made that can hold the thread during the procedure.
THE PROCESS OF THREADING
1. Using approximately 2 feet (24 inches) of thread length, take both ends of the thread and knot them to form a circle.
2. Hold the thread with both hands, and wind it around ten times so a twist forms in the middle. The thread will slightly resemble a bowtie.
3. Place the thread around the index finger and the thumb on both hands.
4. Push the wound section of the thread right and left by opening and closing your fingers simultaneously.
5. Position the hair you want removed alongside the wound part of the thread. Simultaneously open and close your fingers on one hand to move the wound part over the hair you want removed.
The Best Areas on the Body to use Threading
Threading is most effective on smaller areas of the body where you want unwanted hair removed. The best places to use threading for unwanted hair on the body for men and women are:
· Eyebrows
· Facial Hair
How Long Does Threading Last
After using threading as a method for hair removal, expect to use threading every four weeks, when the hair grows back. Hair may grow back lighter in color and thinner and less coarse then original hair appeared.
Pros and Cons of Threading
PROS
1. Relatively inexpensive
2. Neat
3. Less painful then tweezing
CONS
1. Sometimes difficult to find a practitioner
2. Skin can become itchy
3. Can cause ingrown hair
4. May cause skin irritation/puffiness
5. May change skin pigment
The Risks of Threading
1. Skin irritation if you have sensitive skin
2. May cause ingrown hair
3. May change pigmentation of skin
Threading Tips
1. Excellent option for those who use Retin-A, Accutane and similar products
2. Make sure the thread is strong and made of 100% cotton
3. When threading eyebrows, draw the desired eyebrow shape on your brow before threading
4. Make sure you always hold the thread taut.
Filed under: Beauty Tips, Health and Wellness, Making an Impact, Personal Style, Teen Beauty Advice | 5 Comments
Tags: hair, hair removal, waxing, tweezing, sugaring, laser hair removal, threading, shaving, depilatories, unwanted facial hair, veet, nair
That sounds horribly painful. I would suggest shaving or at least laser hair removal.
Wow! I’d heard of this before, but never really understood what was involved. Just started laser hair removal treatments. Thanks for the thorough explanation!
Ok, I have to interject, I love threading and I have had laser done as well. Threading is not bad at all and everyone loves my eyebrows now! I like laser for underarms, legs, etc., but not for facial hair. Check out Shobha Threading in NYC and Ziba Beauty in California for more info. Both companies carry our line of intimate grooming products for women called SweetSpot Labs. Learn more at sweettalkonthespot.wordpress.com.
Threading isn’t painful at all, certainly no more than tweezing. It’s inexpensive to do yourself and you can use sewing thread.
I use a small loop so I can work in small areas around my face. It’s really great!
Hey, nice tips. Perhaps I’ll buy a bottle of beer to that person from that forum who told me to go to your site