How to Do Hair Threading

Regular sewing thread should work for hair threading.

Hair threading is most commonly used to remove facial hair. It is an old technique that originated in the Middle East but has gained popularity in the Western world. It is performed by using a twisted thread to pull out entire hair follicles. Threading has several advantages, including that it does not involve chemicals or equipment other than thread, and it has less tendency to cause ingrown hairs than other hair removal methods.

Things You'll Need

• 2 feet cotton thread

Instructions

1. Tie the ends of a 2-foot long piece of cotton thread together so that the thread forms a secure loop. Beauty practitioners often hold the thread with their teeth to remove hair, but forming a loop is the best method if you remove hair yourself.

2. Hold the thread with both hands, and wind it around itself 10 times. Each hand should fit into each end of the loop.

3. Rearrange your hands so that you hold each side of the loop open with your fingers and thumbs. The wound-up part of the thread should be centered roughly between your hands. The placement of the wound-up section is key to the removal of hair.

4. Widen the span of your fingers on one hand while simultaneously reducing the span of your fingers on your other hand. This movement should shift the wound-up section of thread away from the hand with the wider finger span. Repeat this action in the reverse direction, making the wound-up thread move back in the other direction.

5. Practice moving the wound-up section of thread back and forth between your hands several times until the movement is simple for you. When you feel comfortable with the movement, you are ready for a hair removal test.

6. Select a part of your body for the hair removal test. Leg hair is an ideal choice. Place the thread around the area of hair that you want to remove. Begin the threading movement that you practiced, moving the wound-up bit of thread back and forth along the test area. The wound-up section should catch, or lasso, the hairs, removing them from your body. After you remove hair successfully from your leg or other area, you can try the procedure to remove facial hair if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Hair threading requires some practice. Before you try it on your face, test the process on other parts of your body.

• Minor pain is associated with hair threading. The pain is similar to the discomfort experienced when plucking hair with tweezers.

References

• Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Body Hair Removal -- Threading
• India Parenting: Step-by-Step Threading