Women are always searching for ways to improve their appearance and fit the trends of the times. We go through a bevy of hair and makeup styles. And though there's always been a spotlight on the shape of our eyebrows, only recently has it become important for men, too. Concerned with grooming their eyebrows, men are jumping on the hair-free bandwagon, especially when it comes to treating unruly unibrows. For women and men who are tired of plucking and waxing, pulling and combing and yearn for the perfect brow — maybe it's time to give eyebrow threading a try.
What is it? Threading is an art commonly practiced in India and the Middle East that pulls the hair at its root. Using a pure cotton thread, practitioners twist the hair, pulling out a whole row of hair from the follicle. And while pulling your facial hair out with a string might sound painful, the procedure is actually much less painful than waxing. There's also less risk for bumps and irritation afterward. Threading is quick and efficient, more precise than tweezing and less painful than waxing.
And threading is becoming more and more mainstream; talented threadists can be found in spas and salons across the country. Threading is cost-effective and possibly even cheaper than other methods, especially since repeated treatments will cause the hair to grow back more sparsely. Some practitioners even feel that threading causes hair to grow back finer and softer. The effects of threading should last from two to four weeks.
Beyond the brows: Threading most commonly focuses on the brows, but it can be used on the upper lip and face as well as beards, hairlines and mustaches for men. For people with sensitive skin, or those taking certain medications such as Retin-A or Accutane, threading is ideal because it doesn't stress the skin like waxing or sugaring. Additionally, threading doesn't cause further redness or irritation in those with rosacea or acne-prone skin.
The after: Always use a toner or astringent following the procedure, since threading leaves pores open. Try SkinCeuticals Revitalizing Toner; with soothing botanicals, this toner will moisturize the skin with chamomile and calm irritation. Post-threading, if the skin feels itchy or irritable, moisturizers like Peter Thomas Roth Aloe-Cort Cream work well to cool and soothe the area. Hydrocortisone calms itchiness, while aloe vera can reduce redness and irritation.
Ready to give threading a try? Ask a friend, check the local yellow pages or stop at your favorite spa and check out the options. Make sure to seek out a specialist in threading. Although there are many kits and tips on the Internet for do-it-yourself threading, its more complicated than it looks. Like many other beauty procedures, the process is tricky, and it's best to leave it to the professionals!
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