Eyebrow waxing and threading are both popular methods of hair removal. However, there are some key differences between the two techniques. Keep reading to know which method is right for you.
What Is Eyebrow Waxing?
Eyebrow waxing is a hair removal method that involves placing warm wax over any unwanted hair.
Soft wax is the type of wax most people are used to. After applying it to the desired area, a thin strip of cloth is placed on top of it and pressed down firmly in the direction of the hair growth.
After a few seconds, it is quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth. This removes all of the hairs directly from the hair follicle.
There are two types of waxes used in eyebrow waxing: soft wax and hard wax.
Both have their time and place, and a lot of people tend to prefer one over the other. Let’s look at the differences between the two.
Soft Wax
Soft wax is what most people are used to seeing and using.
It involves the piece of cloth being pressed on top of it and using that cloth to remove the wax and hair from the area.
Soft wax is less expensive and more accessible, so a lot of professional places opt for buying it instead of hard wax.
One of the downfalls of soft wax is that it can be harsh if not used correctly.
Hard Wax
Hard wax is applied the same way that soft wax is which is in the direction of hair growth.
Hence the name, hard wax hardens over itself after about 30 seconds of applying.
Since it hardens by itself, no cloth is necessary.
Instead, a little bit of the hardened wax is peeled off and used by itself to remove the hair and wax from the skin.
Hard wax is a bit more expensive, and it can be difficult for people to do it themselves at home.
What Is Eyebrow Threading?
Eyebrow threading is a hair removal technique that involves removing any unwanted hair using a piece of thread.
Usually, the thread is made from cotton and is very thin, making it very precise for shaping brows.
The eyebrow artist will hold the thread with their hands and twist it from one side. Then, they will hold the twist over the area of hair that is meant to be removed.
In a very quick motion, they will move the twist over the hair, trapping the hair in between the twist, removing it at the hair follicle.
Main Differences Between Waxing And Threading Eyebrows
The main differences between waxing and threading eyebrows are:
Pain Level
One of the main differences between waxing and threading eyebrows is the pain level.
Both of these techniques cause a little bit of pain for most people, but threading is usually more painful than waxing.
The biggest reason for this is that threading takes longer than waxing does, so the pain often intensifies.
With waxing, it’s over within a few minutes.
However, with both hair removal techniques, it always hurts the most the first time you get it done.
The more you repeat the procedure, the less it is going to hurt each and every time.
If you’re looking for a pain-free way to shape your brows, you could also consider shaving instead of waxing. This is not a service offered in a beauty salon but something you would do at home whenever needed.
Regrowth Period
Both waxing and threading remove the hair from the hair follicle, so the results are going to last longer than if you were to just shave the hair.
However, threading has been shown to last a little bit longer than waxing for most people.
Waxing usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the regrowth to come in, while threading takes 4 to 5 weeks.
It’s not a huge difference, but for people that want their results to last as long as possible, threading is often a suitable solution.
For Sensitive Skin
Although threading can be more painful for a lot of people, it is actually better suited for people with sensitive skin, as it tends to cause less irritation.
For people with sensitive skin, waxing can cause a lot of redness, swelling, bumps, and even minor burning.
Some people may even have an allergy to the wax which makes the irritation far worse.
Usually, an allergy presents itself as showing welts or bumps after the wax is removed from the skin.
Eyebrow Waxing Vs. Eyebrow Threading: Which Is Right For You?
Both eyebrow waxing and eyebrow threading are great eyebrow hair removal services that different people prefer.
Based on your preferences, you’ll probably find one or the other that suits you and your needs the best.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution that leaves great results every time, waxing is definitely the service for you. But if you have a higher pain tolerance and want more long-lasting results, threading might be a better route to take.
Reasons To Choose Eyebrow Waxing
Takes The Least Amount Of Time
One of the reasons a lot of people choose to wax is because the technique is super fast.
The pain differs from person to person, but the short service time makes it a quick and easy service that a lot of people can easily tolerate.
Eyebrow waxing is available at a lot of full-service salons, nail salons, and hair salons as an add-on service.
It can be done in the middle of your other services in minimal time, making it an easy one-stop shop.
This is optimal for people with busy schedules who want to be in and out of the salon as well as making as few appointments as possible.
Since waxing is offered at so many different places, it is a convenient solution to eyebrow hair removal that many people take advantage of.
Smooth Results
With eyebrow waxing, compared to threading, the results are often smoother.
This is because the waxing also takes off a layer of dead skin cells. Of course, if it takes off too much, it can result in irritation.
When waxing is done correctly, only the layer of dead skin cells will come off along with the hair leaving a smooth, soft feeling on the skin around the brow.
Hair Grows Back Softer
After getting your eyebrows waxed over a period of time, the hair will grow back softer and you’ll see less blunt “stubble”.
The hair in your eyebrows will grow back softer, thinner, and less dense which is specifically beneficial for those looking to tame thick and unruly brows.
There is some debate over whether waxing is suitable for thin eyebrows as it can cause slight damage to the skin underneath.
If you are indeed worried about breaking the skin, then perhaps threading is a better option for you.
Reasons To Choose Eyebrow Threading
Longer Period Of Regrowth
Compared to eyebrow waxing, threading tends to have a slightly longer regrowth period.
Waxing typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks to grow back in, while threading usually takes 4 to 5 weeks.
This is not a huge difference, but it is something to keep in mind for people whose priority is the longevity of the results.
Better For Sensitive Skin
Even though threading can hurt a little bit more than waxing for a lot of people, it is actually better for sensitive skin.
The only reason it tends to hurt more is that it takes longer to do than waxing, but it still is a relatively quick service.
Most of the time, threading takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
For people with sensitive skin, waxing can cause more than mild irritation, bumps, redness, swelling, and even burning when not done correctly.
For people who struggle with acne, threading does not irritate it as much as waxing does.
Also, a lot of people have an allergy to wax that they may or may not be aware of.
Does Not Cause Ingrown Hairs
In some circumstances, waxing, sugaring, and other hair removal methods can actually cause ingrown hairs.
Threading is one of the only services that usually does not cause ingrown hairs.
Ingrown hairs can trap dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells, and more inside the hair follicle which can lead to infection.
Infection leads to increased irritation that may develop into a cyst.
Is Waxing Or Threading Better For Thin Eyebrows?
For thin brows, threading is often the better option.
Waxing can sometimes take too much hair off and, over time, cause the brows to only become thinner.
This is why waxing is the most optimal for thick eyebrows.
On the other hand, threading offers more control which is why it is better for removing hair from thin eyebrows.