Welcome to the ultimate showdown of eyebrow grooming! In the world of beauty, perfectly shaped eyebrows are a must-have. While there are various methods for grooming eyebrows, two popular techniques Threading vs. Waxing.
Both have their own benefits and drawbacks and choosing the best method for your brows can be a tough decision. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of eyebrow threading and waxing, comparing their effectiveness, pain levels, cost, and more. By the end of this showdown, you’ll have a better idea of which method is right for you and your brows. Let’s get started!
Don’t worry! There are alternatives like waxing, threading, and microblading. But are you confused about choosing between eyebrow threading vs waxing?
If yes then you are on the right page! We have explained all about threading and waxing and have discussed the key differences between these two.
Just keep reading to get a good idea!
All About Eyebrow Threading
What Is Threading?
Eyebrow threading is an ancient hair removal technique that originated in Asia. It involves removing multiple hairs along the brow line row by row at a time to give the eyebrows shape.
Threading pulls out hair at its root level, thus helping remove unwanted hair that can make your brows look uneven. It can be done also to remove facial hair like those above lips and in the chin.
But it is not recommended to do threading to remove hair in the legs or hands as they are thicker and tough to pull off. The thread used is wax-coated cotton and made of cotton. It is very thin to allow a stronger hold on each strand.
How Does It Work?
A cotton thread is used to gently pull the hair from its follicle. So threading works like this.
- Your technician will hold the thread between their hands, with one end at their teeth, and twist it.
- The end of the twist is held over the eyebrow hair section that needs to be removed.
- It is moved repeatedly by twisting the loop and threading the hair in the opposite direction from where your hair is growing.
- This traps the hairs between the thread loop pulling them out as a whole.
Pros Of Threading
- Threading is a quicker technique to remove eyebrow hair. It is faster than waxing which takes time for the hot wax to cool down.
- It doesn’t hurt much as compared to tweezing or plucking.
- Threading unlike plucking and tweezing can remove multiple hairs at a time making it more convenient for us.
- Threading is more precise and thus gives a great result no matter what the length of the hair is.
- Hair will start to grow back sparse and finer after repeated threading because hair is pulled out at the root, which gets weakened through this process so it gets less painful and quicker as you keep going.
Cons Of Threading
- Threading is found to be somewhat painful by a few people. Though ideally, it is the gentlest form of hair removal, threading can initially cause mild irritation and pain. But once you get used to the discomfort, threading becomes the best option for you.
- There are some potential risks associated with threading. When done wrong it can cause cuts on the skin if your eyelids are not held tight properly. But this depends on the technician.
As long as your technician is experienced and skilled, you are good to go without any fear.
DIY Threading Tips
It is usually NOT recommended to do threading by yourself at home as it requires tons of practice and skills. But if you couldn’t get an appointment or if you are stuck at home, then you can give it a try but with a lot of caution.
Start with an easy area that doesn’t require any shaping to get good practice- like your upper lips.
- Firstly, you will need to cut a piece of sewing thread about 11 inches long. Then tie the thread in a knot to make a loop.
- Insert two fingers from both hands into the loop. Make sure to keep the knot on your fingers to keep it hidden.
- Twist the fingers on one hand to make an ‘X’.
- Twist your fingers a few more times in the same direction (about 4 twists should be enough).
- Now, place your index finger and thumb inside the loop.
- Keep the fingers of one hand pinched together while you open the fingers of the other hand. This will slide the twisted part of the thread over.
- Pull the hair in the opposite direction of the way it grows.
- Place one hand above your brow and the other below. The hand that will be used to move the twisted part of the thread will be the hand below the brows.
- Place the hair you want to pull out in the ‘V’ part of the thread.
- Open fingers on the hand below the brow to move the twist over the hair. Do this movement fast. It will work easier and be painless.
All About Eyebrow Waxing
What Is Eyebrow Waxing?
Waxing is a popular hair removal technique that uses hot wax strips. Eyebrow waxing can be done with either cold or hot wax. But hot wax is the most popular one that is used to remove body and facial hair.
The wax strip when pulled removes the unwanted hair and can help you get a good eyebrow shape.
How Does It Work?
- Hot wax is applied on the section of the skin above and below your eyebrows containing unwanted hair.
- The wax is applied along the direction of hair growth.
- The hot wax is then allowed to cool which melts on the skin and grasps the hair strands.
- Then a cloth strip is placed over the cold wax and pressed down firmly.
- After a few seconds, the cloth strip is quickly pulled off in a direction opposite to hair growth. This removes the hair that sticks to the wax and gets ripped off giving the desired shape to your eyebrows.
Pros Of Waxing Eyebrows
- Waxing takes much less time than plucking or tweezing.
- Waxing eyebrows gives smoother skin because during the process dead skin might also be taken off along with the unwanted hair.
- Though it can be painful, the pain is just for a few seconds, only when the strip of cloth and wax is being pulled off.
Cons Of Waxing Eyebrows
- Some people might experience allergies and rashes from the wax.
- There are possibilities for redness, irritation, and mild swelling that are temporary.
- Overwaxing may cause damage to the hair follicles.
- Eyebrow hairs may grow back faster than in threading.
- You shouldn’t use this method if you’re currently using retinoids on your face, as waxing could exacerbate side effects
Who Should Do It?
If you decide to get eyebrow waxing done, it’s highly recommended to get it done by a professional and NOT by your own. This ensures you could avoid any serious burns or skin irritation.
Getting it done by a professional can also help you avoid mistakes like uneven eyebrows or removing too much hair.
Threading vs. Waxing: Which is Better?
Now that we know what threading and waxing are, let us compare them based on various factors.
Precision
When it comes to eyebrow grooming, precision is critical. Threading is a precise technique that allows the beautician to shape the eyebrows precisely. The thread can remove even the tiniest hair, giving a clean and defined look to the eyebrows. On the other hand, waxing is a quick technique that removes multiple hairs at once, making it less precise than threading.
Pain
Both threading and waxing involve pulling the hair out from the root level, which can be painful. However, threading is considered less painful than waxing because it involves only the hair, while waxing can remove a thin layer of skin along with the hair, leading to pain and discomfort.
Time
Threading is a time-consuming technique that involves pulling out each hair individually. It can take up to 15-20 minutes to shape both eyebrows. On the other hand, waxing is a quick technique that can remove multiple hairs at once, making it a time-efficient choice.
Skin Sensitivity
If you have sensitive skin, you may experience redness, inflammation, or rashes after waxing. Waxing can remove a thin layer of skin along with the hair, leading to skin irritation. On the other hand, threading is a gentle technique that does not involve any chemicals or heat, making it a suitable choice for people with sensitive skin.
Cost
When it comes to cost, threading and waxing are both affordable techniques. However, the cost may vary depending on the location and the salon you choose.
Hair Growth
Threading and waxing both remove hair from the root level, leading to slower hair growth. However, threading may be more effective in removing shorter hair, while waxing requires longer hair for effective removal.
Threading Or Waxing: How To Choose?
Choosing between threading and waxing is subjective to individuals. For those who find threading extremely painful or intolerable, then you can go for waxing which is comparatively less painful for a short time.
If you have very sensitive skin, then the wax may cause allergies. So it’s better to go for threading in such cases.
The results are also different. Threading is more precise in giving a perfect shape to your eyebrows. Though waxing can remove hair effectively, the precision is a little lesser.
Alternative Ways to Maintain Eyebrow Shape
There are a few other ways to maintain eyebrow shape such as
- Plucking
- Tweezing
- Microblading
- Tinting
Conclusion
Having read this, we hope you have a clearer idea of threading and waxing. So now it’s up to you to decide which one to go for.
Weigh your options and based on your wants, you can choose between the two. Either way, you’re gonna have beautifully shaped eyebrows that can make you look attractive! So go on and decide!