All about Threading

What is hair threading?

Threading is an ancient method of hair removal used to give clean lines and good shape to the eyebrows and hairs on the face.

Threading involves rolling twisted pure cotton threads over untidy hairlines to pluck hair. The threading pulls out a whole row of hair which contrasts to the tweezing of individual hairs.

Where did threading come from?

Threading is thought to originate from Turkey and was traditionally used on the entire face such as the chin, eyebrows, chin, sideburns and cheeks. However, it is been an ancient art for many countries such as India. In Arabic, hair threading is called khite. In Egypt, hair threading is called fatlah.


What should I expect at my hair threading session?

A hair threading session usually takes between 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the area of course). A standard hair threading session will usually involve the following steps.

1.
At the start of your threading session, your beautician will begin with approximately 2 feet of cotton sewing thread. Your beautician will then take one end of the thread in each hand and knot them together to create one continuous circle. Your beautician will wind the thread several times until it resembles a bow tie. Your beautician will then slide the wound portion to each end of the thread until the thread is ready.
2.
Once the thread is prepared, your beautician will hold the ends of a thread in her mouth. With her hands, she will make the thread taut and wind the strands around individual hairs (imagine your hair being in a lasso). The hair is then twisted and pulled out of the follicles by the root.
3.
In the usual eyebrow threading session, threading starts at the unwanted hair in the middle of the eyebrows before removing growth from the top and bottom of the eye brow. Where the eyebrow arch is very high, fewer hairs from the upper section are removed. However, if the eyebrow arch is low, hair will be removed from under the eye brows.


Tips before your thread

Before your threading session, prepare your skin by wiping the area with a cotton ball soaked in astringent. This will produce a cooling effect that numbs the skin causing you to feel less pain.

Tips after your thread

Here are some tips after you have your hair threaded:

* Threading can cause skin irritation and ingrowth hairs so apply soothing lotion after your treatment. Soothing lotion usually contains aloe vera and chamomile. Regular exfoliation also helps to remove dead skin and avoid ingrown hairs.
* To avoid skin irritation, avoid immediately after your threading treatment heat sources (such as saunas, steam rooms, sun and heavy exercise) and exfoliating products (such as AHAs and scrubs and loofas).
* To keep your eyebrows in place, spray a little hair spray on your eyebrows and brush them using little brushes.

The threading debate

Here are some points to consider when choosing whether or not to have your hair threaded instead of waxed or plucked.

* The advantage of threading over tweezing is that threading removes naturally straight lines of hair. The pulling of hair is smooth and natural, which is less painful compared to waxing.
* Another advantage of hair threading is that the top layers of skin are not peeled or traumatized. As a result, hair threading does not cause break outs, redness or pigmentation. Therefore, hair threading is recommended for people with sensitive skin. In contrast, waxing can peel or burn the top layer of facial skin, which can lead to skin loosening and wrinkles.
* As a new thread is used at every treatment, hair threading is a hygienic procedure.
* Threading, like plucking or waxing, can cause skin irritation and ingrown hairs. However, regular threading treatments cause hair regrowth to be finer and more sparse leading to reduced skin irritation and ingrown hairs.


Choosing the right beauty salon

Choosing the right beauty salon for your threading session.

Although threading may seem quite simple, this hair removal technique takes a certain amount of skill to ensure hairs are not ripped off. Threading gives best results when performed by a beautician you trust and knows exactly how you want them.

You should take care in choosing the right beauty salon for your threading session. A bad experience may discourage you from threading your hair in the future and cause you problems from skin infections and ingrown hairs. Ensure that your beautician is full trained in hair threading by asking whether your beautician has completed accredited threading courses.

It is best to choose a beauty salon from a word of mouth recommendation or a salon with a good reputation. This will ensure that your beautician uses quality materials for your thread. Good beauty salons use 100% cotton threads, which reduces skin trauma and redness.

Before, during and after your hair threading session, ask your beautician questions to see how your beautician addresses your queries. Good salons ensure that you are completely at ease during the treatment. Any desired shape, length and thickness can be given.

How much does threading cost?

On average, threading costs US$5-15 for the eyebrows. Threading is therefore a relatively inexpensive hair removal method and you generally get what you pay for. Costs also vary for larger areas.

How long does threading last?

Hair threading usually lasts 2-3 weeks.


Hair threading does not peel or traumatize the top layer of skin. Hair threading also does not cause break outs, redness or pigmentation. As a result, it is possible to have your hair thread as often as every week, depending on your tastes. Compare this to waxing where you may have to wait 4-6 weeks for your hair to grow back.

Shaving Female Pubic hair: manual Shaving

• With scissors trim the area you intend to shave as short as you can.
• Soak in very warm water for 10 - 20 minutes. This opens the pores and relaxes the hairs making them easier to cut.
• Use a new double blade razor with lubricant pad.
• Use a new blade each time. A dull razor causes roughly cut and torn hairs that cause ingrown hairs, red bumps and itching. Used razors also harbor bacteria that can cause infections of follicles. You can use the same razor to shave your legs and pits AFTER you shave your labia.
• Thoroughly clean and rinse the area before you shave
• Use Aveeno shave cream. It can help reduce red bumps and irritation
• Clean and rinse thoroughly after you shave
• Exfoliate after each shave
• Some women prefer a buff puff or similar product
• Use witch hazel extract (available in liquid form or in pads) to control itching as needed. Take some with you to work or school.
• Use the products for black men's beards to control red bumps, irritation and ingrown hairs. Black Opal brand is readily available at most pharmacies. Treat red bumps and ingrown hairs immediately. Red bumps are infected follicles.
• Shave every other day for the first few weeks then switch to daily. This helps avoid irritation. The area will eventually become used to being shaved however this can take a few days to several weeks. The skin needs time to heal. Be patient.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth for the first few weeks. The skin needs time to get used to shaving. For a smoother feel shave against the pattern of hair growth, but pay special attention to ingrown hair and irritated follicles.
• The more often you shave the sooner the area becomes used to shaving. This eventually reduces irritation or even ends it.
• Only wear cotton or silk panties. They breathe and let moisture out.
• Avoid wearing pantyhose as well as panties made with nylon, Lycra and similar non-natural materials that tend to trap moisture. Warmth and moisture can cause irritation.
• For the first few days or week or so you may wish to wear a light days pad
• If you shave right before hoping into bed and then have sex you should thoroughly clean the area soon after. This will reduce irritation and red bumps.
• A swing arm shower mirror is very helpful for making sure you shave every spot that you want to shave. It is also good for self examinations!

The Clitoris