The benefits that come with nicely shaped brows are wonderful and countless. From making you look younger to sexy and glamorous; eye brows when done right can really accentuate your looks and boost your confidence (Take Lily Collins for example, her eyebrows are always on fleek!). The shaping of brows is usually done using several methods, by reducing hair around the brows to give the desired shape. Popular hair removal procedures include threading or waxing.
Choosing between these two methods requires that you understand each of them including their advantages and disadvantages. What works for one person might not work for the other.
Defining Each Procedure
Threading
This is an Ancient method that begun in the Middle East, specifically in India. During threading, a beautician doubles and twists Cotton thread and then rolls this over undesired hairs, plucking them from the roots. This method is mostly used to get rid of brow hair, upper lip hair, and other facial hair. Threading the brows can last anywhere between 5 to 10 minutes; 5 minutes for the upper lip and hair removal for the entire face could take 15 minutes.
Waxing
This method involves the removal of hair using wax. Usually used for hair removal on the brows and face, it can be done on nearly every other body part; from the limps to the torso to the genital area (bikini wax). Several kinds of waxing can be used for hair removal; strip or soft wax and strip-less or hard wax.
Similarities between both Procedures
- Hair grows back finer than before
- Both are quick to carry out. (excluding preparation time)
- Both remove hair from the roots
- Both can be painful, depending on each individual. Some people report threading to be more painful, while others say waxing is more painful for them.
Benefits of Each Method
Threading
- Minimal preparation time compared to waxing, where you have to wait for the wax to be prepared and/or harden
- Minimal contact with the skin, hence gentle on it with lesser risk of skin damage
- Very precise and ideal for those who desire very defined brows
- Lasts about 2-4 weeks before the need for another procedure
- Few risks involved in the procedure, as no chemicals are used, hence little to no risk of allergies
- No contraindications, compared to waxing which is contraindicated for persons on retin
- Hair can be threaded out earlier compared to waxing where the hair must be ¼ inch before another procedure.
- Ideal choice for people with thicker hair. Minimal pain
Waxing
- Less painful for some people than threading
- Can be used to remove hair on other parts of the body
- Lasts about 6 weeks
- Clean finish but with a more natural look, depending on your needs
- Ideal for someone with downward-growing hair especially at the center of the brow. Due to the nature of the threading procedure, such hair may be accidentally pulled out leaving an empty spot, ruining the brow shape.
- Ideal for you if you are grooming your brows to grow.
- A better method for persons with coarse hair as threading such hair is more painful.
- No pinching, no eye watering or sneezing, which are all common during threading
Drawbacks of Each Method
Threading
- Can only be used for hair removal at the brows, upper lip and face
- Can cause ingrown hairs
- Painful for some people, especially those with coarse hair
Waxing
- Irritating for some people
- May cause an allergy due to wax contents
- May cause early wrinkling
Learned something new? Feel like trying something different? If you’re located on the Sunshine Coast, I can help you out! Feel free to check out my services, and my contact details to make an enquiry today 🙂