Eyebrow Threading: How It Works
For years I have seen signs advertising eyebrow threading and never knew what it was. The other day at the mall, I was coming down the escalator next to a kiosk for eyebrow threading. As I peered down, I saw a young woman with thread stretched between both hands with one end in her mouth poised over another young woman’s face. My first thought was, OMG, she has that thread in her mouth and she is planning to do something with this contaminated thread on that young girl’s eyebrows!
As I approached, she began moving the twisted thread between her outstretched hands, gently smoothing it over the young girl’s eyebrow following the shape and contour of the brow. The thread in her mouth stayed in her mouth. The rhythmic twisting of the eyebrow threading was pulling out hairs that were becoming entwined in the thread. Interesting, I thought as I watched the girl’s brow became cleaner and more polished looking. The whole process took under 10 minutes. A final trim of a few hairs and brush of the eyebrow with an eyebrow brush finished the look.
Apparently, eyebrow threading began in Asia centuries ago. I asked the eyebrow-threading young woman how she had learned the technique. She told me she had learned to do it in India a year ago. First, they practice on velvet cut in the shape of eyebrows, then move on to remove hair on their own feet, practice on willing relatives and finally are supervised by an experienced eyebrow threader on real clients.
Eyebrow threading has gained popularity over eyebrow waxing for a number of reasons:
1. Gentler on those with sensitive skin, such as people with Roseola.
2. No risk of allergy to string. Wax can contain additives or preservatives that cause skin reactions.
3. Less skin contact. Wax pulls at the top layer of skin and can leave it red and irritated.
4. No risk of burns. Wax is heated to apply to skin, and if allowed to get too warm can cause burns or skin inflammation.
5. Hair is thought to grow back thinner like wax, without the risk.
I took the eyebrow threader’s card and told her I would consider coming back another day to try eyebrow threading.
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Add a Comment12 Comments
I love eyebrow threading! It is quite amazing how it works and what they are able to do with a couple pieces of thread. I was amazed when I first heard about it and even more so when I had it done. It is more gentle than waxing and still gets the job done. I definitely recommend it over waxing! I haven't had it done in a long time...I may have to change that soon!
August 5, 2009 - 4:19pmThis Comment
I rarely care for my eyebrows because they are so light, but would love to try eyebrow threading. I have very sensitive skin and unless I pay a lot at a high-end salon, my eyebrows become red for hours. I think it is because of the sensitivity to lower quality waxes. Anyway, I do want to try threading and should soon.
Does anyone know of a good place to go in the Phoenix-metro area?
August 5, 2009 - 4:26pmHi Shannon,
There is a place at Scottsdale and Shea called Lotus that does a decent job and only charges $10. There is also a place close to Fashion Square in old town called, The Brow Lady, where I believe they do threading . I have never been but have wanted to stop by. Would you like to join!? I just looked up their website (http://thebrowladyusa.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1), they offer a ton of services, although they seem a little more pricey. I will further look into other places.
August 6, 2009 - 9:58amThanks for letting me know Shana. I will have to check it out and then I'll let everyone know how it went.
August 6, 2009 - 10:35amI have seen this done and one of my good friends has it done. She also has sensitive skin and turns as red as her hair; but, she loves it. I haven't tried it yet.
August 5, 2009 - 4:37pmDoes your friends eyes become read when she threads or just when she waxes her eyebrows? I am trying to avoid such reaction and thought threading might negate that side effect.
Thanks!
August 6, 2009 - 9:21amI watched both a daughter and mother have their eyebrows done by this eyebrow threader and neither had redness. The daughter's looked a little pink but they looked okay when they got up to leave.
August 6, 2009 - 9:37amThanks for letting me know. That would definitely be an advantage to getting this done!
August 6, 2009 - 10:32amI found this website whilst searching for info on this procedure because there is a kiosk doing it directly across from the store in which I work. I'm both amazed and appalled at what I have read. I fail to see how someone with no access to handwashing facilities, handling money, and using string in her mouth can possibly be considered sanitary. Seems very odd to me that anyone would wake up and say, "Today I want some stranger's dirty hands and saliva on my face." To each her own, I guess.
September 6, 2009 - 7:14amthanks for your point of view you make a good point. I was also taken back seeing the thread in her mouth which is what prompted me to write the article. The eyebrow threader actually never touches the person's eyebrow with her hand nor does the saliva end of the thread come in contact, only the scissors and the brush which are not soaked in solution and should be cleaned. I did not see any hand cleaner solution on her counter but I was more focused on the lack of sterilizing her tools. Asking someone to wash their hands first, even with those liquid cleaners, would probably be a good idea.
September 6, 2009 - 7:34am