Method of Shaping brows: Eyebrow Threading vs Waxing

As a Threading artist who is also equally adept at waxing brows, I have often been questioned about the right method to shape the arches that frame the windows to the soul – eyes. The two most popular methods of shaping eyebrows around the world are Threading and Waxing.

Threading involves using a piece of cotton thread wound around the fingers that makes a scissor like loop. The thread is then rolled over the patch from where the hair is to be removed. The loop catches the hair, and removes it.

Waxing involves applying wax in the area to be cleaned, in the direction of the hair growth, and then pressing a narrow strip of cloth or paper to pull the hair that is now stuck to it.

To decide on what might be a better option for you, it is advisable to know the Pros and Cons for both the methods.

Threading:

Pros:

• Of all methods that there are of shaping eyebrows, Threading gives the most control, shaping the brows identically on both sides and exactly the way you need it.
• It epilates hair at follicle level, due to which the period between two sessions can go up to a month. Also, threading can take off hair from very close to the skin. It does not need to be of a certain length to be threaded. Experts can even coax hair out of the skin just as it’s breaking the skin surface.
• It does not have any side effects, as there is no external application of any substance. It’s non-invasive. Reactions, if any, are very rare. It’s very rare, but one can suffer from slight red bumps, which go away after a few hours.
• When done by a practiced and efficient threading artist, it can be painless. A threading expert can remove an entire row of hair in one go, which makes it very quick as well.
• To take off hair fast, the Threading artist needs to use thread that has not threaded. Hence it’s hygienic, as the only thing that is used is a specially designed cotton thread which is broken and discarded after removing each strip of hair.
• Threading is the preferred method of hair removal by the Dermatologist as it does not have any side effects. It is ideal for patients suffering from Rosacea and those with thin or extra sensitive skin.

Cons:

• Threading needs to be performed by an expert, and it is a difficult art to master. Hence, finding a threading expert can be a challenge.
• If done by a novice, it can be painful, and the eyebrow shapes ruined.
• The thread used for Threading is sharp, so it can cause minor cuts if not done properly.

WAXING

Pros

• Waxing is quick, taking out tons of hair in one go.
• If done by a knowledgeable person, it can give a fairly good shape to the brows (though not as precise as threading).
• Long term waxing can damage hair follicles, reducing the re-growth of unwanted hair.
• It can act as a mini peel, taking out dead skin around the area it is performed on.
• Waxing can be done at home. Many kinds of waxing products are now available in the stores everywhere.

Cons:

• Giving precise shape to the eyebrows can be very challenging through waxing. The wax can get glued to wrong hair, and as the person waxing is unable to see which hair is coming off, it can result in a disaster.
• Waxing has been found more painful than threading, so that can be a drawback. The application of wax itself can be an irritant to the sensitive skin around the eyes.
• Unlike Threading, the hair needs to be at least 1/4th of an inch before it can be waxed. That can be very inconvenient in many cases.
• Warm or hard wax can cause serious reaction to the skin. Break outs are common, and sometimes waxing can aggravate acne.
• People suffering from Rosacea or those who have sensitive skin are prohibited from waxing their hair.
• Waxing, when done wrong, can cause serious damage. Severe burns, skin peeled to the flesh, and scabbiness are some of the problems that can be a result of waxing gone wrong.
• The skin around the eyes does not have any supporting muscle or fat, so all the pulling and the stretching in that delicate area can be harm full in the long run as skin tends to sag faster.

The method you choose eventually depends on personal preference, but it is always better to try out the options before deciding on what suits you best.