1. What is Threading?

Threading is an ancient method of hair removal still used in many countries in the Middle East as well as India and Pakistan. Called khite in Arabic and fatlah in Egyptian, it's a less common method in the West for removing hair at the root. Traditionally, threading is used on the entire face, including upper lip, chin, eyebrows, sideburns and cheeks. Hair Threading can be done either at home or at many salons. Threading is a great solution for removing fine hair like the hair that grows above the lip. It's more effective than shaving, or bleaching, but it can be as painful as waxing depending upon how sensitive your skin is and how thick your hair grows.

The procedure is called Threading because you use normal sewing thread to remove the hair below the root. Honestly, it's quicker and easier to have it done at the salon but if you're into home remedies, here's what you need to know.

2. How does Threading work?

In general, cotton thread is twisted and rolled along the surface of the skin entwining the hair in the thread which is then lifted out from the follicle.

Start with about 2 feet of strong sewing thread. Take one end of the thread in each hand and knot them together so you end up with a continuous circle. Holding the thread with both hands, wind the thread 10 times until it resembles a bow tie. The wound portion should be in the middle. Next, slide the wound portion towards one of your hands by spreading the fingers of the other hand while closing the fingers of the other. Practice moving the wound area back and forth by alternating the fingers that you spread and close. Once you reach the point that you can easily maneuver the wound area back and forth, you are ready to proceed.

Because you have more area to work with, practice the procedure on leg hairs until you get the hang of it. Sit down on a chair and prop one leg up so it's at a comfortable height. Select the hair that you want to target. Place the wound side of the thread on one side of the hair and then lay the thread from the opposite end around both sides of the hair. Now, do the finger stretching and closing routine to quickly move the wound area to the other side of the thread. This will capture the hair and pull it from the root. Repeat the process until you have treated the entire area.

3. General Tips and Information

It sounds confusing. That's why it's recommended that you have it done at the salon the first time. Pay attention to how it's all done, and then try it at home. Threading is relatively inexpensive. Just think of paying to have it done as tuition because once you learn, you can continue to do it at home. Depending upon how quickly your hair grows back, you may only have to thread once per month. There are no real dangerous side effects to threading although, if you are especially sensitive to pain, you might find the process uncomfortable. The up side is once you learn how to perform the threading procedure, you can do it quickly and as frequently as you need to.

Threading is inexpensive, fast and neat. It's considered less painful than plucking and it's Good for eyebrows and facial hair. Like plucking, results can last up to four weeks.