One of the less familiar ways to remove unwanted and excess hair from the body is by a technique called ‘threading’. Threading has been used since ancient times in the Far-East and Middle-East, but has only
started to become a popular hair removal method in the West in latter years, since the pressure has become insanely intense to flaunt beautiful and hairless bodies to conform to aesthetical societal demands.
How Threading Works
Threading works by twisting a fine thread of cotton around an area of hair. One end of the cotton is held between the teeth and the other end is held by the fingers on the left hand. The rest of the thread is
held in the finders of the right hand and the loop in the middle becomes entwined amongst the hair. When the thread is twisted, it dislodges the strands of hair and pulls the individual hairs out at the roots.
The Advantages of Threading
Despite its relative anonymity, threading has many benefits over other hair removal techniques. Because the thread of cotton pulls out numerous strands of hair at the same time, compared to plucking, tweezing
and sugaring treatments, which remove hairs one by one, threading is a much quicker hair removal technique. It is also an extremely hygienic method of hair removal, as all that is required is a piece of cotton
thread, which is disposed of after use. Because of the lack of sophisticated equipment required, threading does not have to take place at a salon and can be easily performed at home. Although when it is carried
out by a professional, the procedure can take just minutes. Threading the eyebrows for example, will last approximately 15 minutes, compared to the arduously slow procedure of plucking, which can regularly take
between 30 to 45 minutes for a structured shape to be achieved. Threading is an extremely precise way of removing unwanted hair which can result in a very neat and polished finish. Because it involves ripping
the hair from its natural lines it gives a more chiseled and defined look compared to other more random and sporadic hair removal methods such as waxing. Although threading is not a permanent hair removal method
and usually results in re-growth appearing between two to five weeks later, when the hair does grow back it is regularly reported to be much finer, softer and sparser than the previous hair – a huge plus point
over the ‘harsher’ techniques, which result in more denser and coarser hair growing back. Perhaps the biggest advantage of threading as a means of removing unwanted hair from the body is the fact that it is an
extremely safe method, and except from a slight reddening of the skin immediately after treatment, which usually disappears within less than an hour, very few unwelcome side effects have been reported. Due to
the fact it rarely harms the skin, threading is a suitable method for people with sensitive skin and because it does not rely on harsh chemicals or any aggressive procedures, it is appropriate to be used on the
more sensitive areas of the face. Another big advantage of this type of hair removal method is that unlike other some of the permanent techniques, such as laser treatments and flashlamps, threading can remove
all different colors and textures of hair. It can also remove any length of hair, from long, coarse pubic hair to shorter, stubbly hair, which gives threading a unique advantage over techniques such as waxing,
which requires the hair to be of a certain length. Also unlike waxing, threading can be used by people who are using vitamin A products, such as Retin A and Isoretinoin.
The Disadvantages of Threading
As threading is a relatively unfamiliar practice in Western civilizations, unlike the barrage of beauty clinics all offering waxing, electrolysis and laser treatments in abundance, finding a professional
threading technician is a fairly difficult task. Although it can be performed at home, threading is a difficult skill to master and therefore to achieve optimum results may take quite a few attempts and a lot
of patience. Although threading, if carried out properly is an extremely safe method of hair removal with few known side effects, if performed incorrectly or carried out with inadequate hygiene, it can cause a
condition known as folliculitus, a bacterial infection which affects the follicles of the hair.
