Just like every other form of facial hair removal, beforecare and aftercare is really important for minimizing pain and preventing (or managing) side effects. Before your threading appointment

Make sure you do not cut the hairs too short or trim too many of the hairs. You simply want to remove any overly long strands of hair so it is easier for you to thread your brows. Since only the hair is getting yanked—and skin isn't an incidental casualty—there's very little chance of irritation. "There's no pulling or straining your skin," says Feroz. Threading is also easier on sensitive and acne-prone skin, so if waxing tends to leave your brows raw or red for longer than you're comfortable with, you might find eyebrow threading to be less intensive. ...But It's Still Not a Spa Day I personally have had both positive and negative experiences with technicians,” Dr. Ranasinghe says, “until I found the threading specialist whom I have been going to for years now. It’s actually a lot like dating!” Even if you do feel ready to lasso up your own brows, it’s best to consider yourself a cleaning crew, rather than a landscaper. “For the people that really want to attempt threading at home and [are] absolute beginners, the basic rule would be to clean around the brow and don’t get too close to the brow line itself. Don’t try to shape them, just do a small clean up. If you keep practicing you can get it, but it does take exactly that—practice,” says Sheikh.It’s important to avoid retinoid and retinol-based products five to seven days before threading. These products are both vitamin A derivatives — retinoids are more potent than retinols — that makes the skin very sensitive,” Dr. Ranasinghe says. The most common side effects are skin bleeding or peeling. During the procedure, an aesthetician removes multiple hairs at a time with the use of a cotton thread, and you may be asked to cover your eyes as it takes place, all of which can be uncomfortable. If you are nervous about getting your eyebrows threaded, let your technician know so that they can try to make you feel more comfortable during the process. Most threading specialists will clean your brows with an alcohol swab before starting and offer to put aloe on them when they’ve finished. Take them up on those offers (unless, of course, you’re allergic). After your threading appointment

You may need to practice this motion several times to get the hang of it. If you find the loop is too hard to control, you may try making a new loop that is shorter in length. You may find a shorter thread loop is easier to manipulate between your fingers. Although eyebrow threading is a popular and generally safe cosmetic procedure, it does have certain risks for the skin such as irritation, infection and hyperpigmentation. According to numerous medical reports, there are some specific conditions that can occur after an eyebrow threading session. These include: Tweezing your eyebrows at home can be time-consuming — and in some cases, painful — but it’s also affordable. As with waxing and other procedures performed by a specialist, threading costs money. The price can vary considerably based on where you live and how often you go. Side effects Shobha Tummala, owner of Shobha Salons, which has locations in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Shobha Salons specialize in hair removal, offering threading, bikini waxes, laser, and more.Eyebrow threading has largely been a two-person sport. There’s you, with the brows in question. Then there’s the pro, who performs the complex art of pulling tiny hairs out of your face, via thread, at a rapid speed. This is exactly why experts often recommend skipping DIY brow threading—even if the YouTube tutorials make it look so easy. Below, four professionals on the good, the bad, and the ugly of DIY brow threading. What Is Brow Threading? Everyone’s pain tolerance is different. Some report that threading is unpleasant, while others don’t mind the hassle of the pulling and tugging that comes with it.

And at-home brow threading can have consequences more painful than potentially ruining your brow shape. “It can be slightly dangerous to your skin,” adds Kayla Weiss, cosmetologist and co-owner of Los Angeles’ Thread Eyebrows. “When threading is done properly, the skin must be properly stretched to keep the brow bone tight. This prevents cutting your skin.” Once your appointment is over, it’s important to remember that you’ve got a bunch of open hair follicles on your face. That means you need to take all of the same precautions you do after a waxing appointment to avoid breakouts and infection. It’s increasingly common to see threading services offered in salons throughout the Western world, but, as Dr. Ranasinghe puts it, “Threading is an art and needs to be performed by an experienced threading specialist.” How does threading compare to waxing and tweezing?Eyebrow threading is an ancient Eastern technique for shaping and removing unwanted hair on the face and around the eyebrows. Though it originated in India, it is now practiced around the world by people of all cultures. Threading isn’t an easy thing to do. You need a good eye and extensive training to develop the skill.

Threading certainly isn’t for everyone!” Dr. Ranasinghe states. “For patients with sensitive skin types, I recommend trying both threading and waxing to see which one works best for them.” Caring for threaded brows Treatment for the above conditions depends on their severity. See a doctor if you have a reaction or persistent irritation after having your eyebrows threaded to prevent conditions from worsening. Advantages and disadvantages of threading When it comes to maintenance, it really depends how long you like to leave your brows before getting them redone. However, Yana says most people leave it three to four weeks, “this gives sufficient time for the hair to regrow enough to obtain effective removal with threading.” Any shorter and she explains that the hair may not be long enough to work with, “as the thread needs to be able to get a good grip.”Yana likes to recommend the Nouveau Lashes Lash & Brow Conditioning Serum post-treatment for conditioning to clients, as well as the HD Brows Brow Glue to set brows in place. Threading maintenance We don’t know how eyebrow threading originated — the best guess is present-day India or Iran. Wherever it started, the technique spread throughout Asia and the Middle East, where it’s been a dominant facial hair removal technique for thousands of years. Searching for information on threading is quite the experience. Most people extol its virtues, but every once in a while, you’ll read that it’s terrible for you. It can even give you herpes!