Threading is one of the oldest methods of body hair removal. It originated in Turkey, although it is currently most popular in India and other parts of the Middle East. Today, threading is also gaining popularity in Western cosmetology.

Threading involves the practitioner rolling twisted cotton threads over hairlines to remove unwanted hair. To do this, the practitioner holds one end of a cotton thread between her teeth and the other in her left hand. The middle part of the thread is looped through the index and middle fingers of the right hand. The loop is used to trap unwanted hair so that it can be easily plucked from the skin. This is a difficult technique that takes practitioners many months to perfect. Do not attempt to try this at home.

As with all methods of body hair removal, there are both advantages and disadvantages to threading.

• Advantages
• Disadvantages

Advantages

• Threading is much healthier for the skin than waxing, and it creates no ingrown hairs.
  
• It is inexpensive, fast and relatively painless (with a skilled practitioner).
  
• Threading is suitable for all skin types, even those too sensitive for laser hair removal or waxing.
  
• It takes no more than 15 minutes to thread both eyebrows.
  
• No chemicals are used in threading, so there is no risk of a negative reaction.
  
• The results of the treatment last for two to four weeks.

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Disadvantages

• It is hard to find a very skilled practitioner, and it is a painful process with an unskilled practitioner.
  
• Threading only works on flat surfaces and does not work on bikini lines or knees.
  
• For people with severe acne, threading can cause acne ruptures.
  
• Like other hair removal methods, threading can cause folliculitis, reddening of the skin and skin pigment change.

In the end, it is important to remember that body hair removal is a personal choice. There can be health consequences associated with any type of removal, whether through shaving, waxing, clipping, tweezing, threading or laser treatment. If you do decide to try body hair threading, consult a skilled practitioner.

PAMF also offers information for teens about other types of body hair removal. Below are some helpful and interesting resources.

Additional Resources

Hair and Scalp

Hair Removal

Pubic Hair Removal: Shaving

Electrolysis for removing hair, HealthWise KnowledgeBase. Accessed September 2007.

Folliculitis, HealthWise KnowledgeBase. Accessed September 2007.
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