Threading hair removal FAQs

Here are some of your frequently asked questions that relate to threading, a natural hair removal technique for both men and women:

Threading is performed by twisting a piece of cotton thread and then dragging this over the hairs. This motion gently pulls the hairs out with only a slight discomfort to the patient. Threading is natural, involves no creams or pastes, and is ideal for any type of skin. One of the advantages of this method is that it does not damage the skin.

Most practitioners use threading for shaping eyebrows but it is equally good for removing hairs on the upper lip, chin and cheeks, as well as around the naval and toes. One of the advantages of threading over tweezing is that a number of hairs can be removed at once as the thread is dragged over the skin.

Threading is not good for large areas of hair as the thread can get clogged up. Also, this method can be challenging on tough, coarse hair. Areas such as on a man's back, jawline, and legs would be better treated by another method such as sugaring.

Threading also has problems removing hairs on irregular surfaces; for example, on the bikini line and knees. This method is best performed on flat surfaces.

As threading is only used for small areas of hair, it only takes a few minutes to shape an eyebrow or remove hairs from a lip. Hairs removed using threading will typically stay away for 2 to 4 weeks. However, like any other epliation method, the hair has to grow above the skin level for a few weeks before the hair can be threaded again.

As a natural hair removal method, threading does not cause any significant side effects. Like with any epilation technique the hair is pulled from the skin and as such, some patients will experience more discomfort than others. Many patients will experience a mild reddening of the skin after treatment, but this usually subsides within a few minutes. Patients who suffer from severe acne should avoid this method as it can cause the acne to rupture.

No, it is not easy to perform threading. The more inexperienced a threading practitioner, the more painful it is likely to be. It is worth asking the practitioner how much experience they have had personally before you under go any hair removal treatment with them. It takes many months of practice to perform threading successfully.

There are some alternatives on the market that are easier to use. These do the same motion as threading but use more recent technologies rather than a cotton thread.

Due to its simple method and use of easily-obtainable and natural materials, threading is popular and has been practiced for many centuries in China, India, Egypt (called fatlah) and the Middle East (called khite).