Does Eyebrow Threading Hurt?

Published Sept 5, 2021
Despite the popularity of eyebrow threading, many people are still reluctant to try it thinking that it’s going to hurt. And considering that the procedure involves pulling your eyebrow hair from the roots, we can’t blame you for thinking such. The first time I tried it, I was a nervous wreck and had the same hesitations you currently have. I was even looking around the salon to see if they’ve got some balms or ointments on hand, just in case.
Besides, if you’ve tried other brow shaping methods like waxing and plucking, then you know how painful they can be. I swear they brought out the beast in me a couple of times before. And if eyebrow threading is anything like them, I’d rather stick to razors.
So, Does Eyebrow Threading Hurt?
In general, eyebrow threading pain is tolerable. It can be intimidating, yes. But based on my experience, the amount of pain really depends on the skills of your aesthetician. After all, threading is not just about twisting some threads and uprooting eyebrow hairs. It requires dexterity and precision to properly control the thread. I’ve had some aestheticians who did my eyebrows while I was asleep and I didn’t feel anything. While one aesthetician made me tear up because the thread accidentally clamped on several pieces of eyebrow hair at once.
However, the overall threading experience can vary for each person. Some people are more sensitive to pain while others have better pain tolerance. Your first time will inevitably cause some flinching from time to time, but, as I said, the pain is usually tolerable. And if it does hurt, a dab of aloe vera or cooling gel usually does the trick.
How Does Eyebrow Threading Work?
Eyebrow threading is a brow shaping method that uses (surprise, surprise) threads. The aesthetician starts by tying both ends of the thread that’s about a foot long until it forms a loop. Then the thread is twisted tightly until it’s taught and forms an hourglass figure. As the aesthetician adjusts the tightness of the twisted thread, the twisting motion rubs the threads against each other. This allows it to trap brow hairs and remove them from the hair follicle.
However, before the actual threading procedure starts, the aesthetician will have to prepare your brows first. The process usually varies per salon but in general, it involves brushing or trimming your brows. If you’re aiming for a specific brow shape, the aesthetician may also draw your preferred shape using a brow pencil.
The technique of brow threading started centuries ago in Southeast Asia and Middle Eastern areas. The procedure eventually arrived in the United States, where it rose to fame. Nowadays, almost every salon in the US offers eyebrow threading services.

But while it’s possible to thread any hair in any part of your body, it’s not really practical. One brow threading session can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. If you’re gonna do it in other parts of your body like say, your legs, it would probably take several hours. This is why threading is usually reserved for eyebrows and facial hairs.
After the threading session, your brows may retain their shape and cleanliness for approximately two to five weeks, maybe even more if you take care of them properly. Depending on how fast your facial hair grows, you may or may not need to revisit your esthetician to do a follow-up or trimming any hair that grew back. For better and long-lasting results, just be sure to maintain your brows properly, and you won’t have to worry about a thing.
Is It Worth the Discomfort?
Compared with other brow shaping methods like waxing and plucking, threading is considerably less painful. But aside from the pain, there are other reasons why many people are choosing to thread their brows.
For one, other brow shaping procedures require a lot of work. Let’s take plucking, for example. This procedure takes longer as it involves pulling the hairs off your face one at a time. Threading, on the other hand, takes only a few minutes so the discomfort is much shorter.
Eyebrow shaping also produces clean and precise results. Because it pulls hair from the follicles, it doesn’t cause lumps and bumps like waxing. Nor does it make your eyebrow area red and swollen like plucking. There might be a little redness but it’s nothing that an aloe vera gel can’t fix. You can walk out of the salon right after the procedure like nothing happened.
Another reason behind the popularity of eyebrow threading is because it doesn’t use any chemicals. It’s no secret that wax and hair removal creams can damage the skin in several ways. So chemical-less procedures like this are a definite win for your skin.
On the whole, eyebrow threading is worth the discomfort. But if you want to ensure a pain-free procedure, choose your brow artist carefully. Make sure they know what they’re doing and if possible, read up a few reviews about them. When the future of your eyebrow is on the line, it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer and SEO specialist. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources. She is the lead author for several prominent websites covering a variety of topics including law, health, nutrition, and more.