"Never touch your eyebrows!" Countless people told me these words of wisdom growing up. But around middle school, even my mom had to admit that my bushy brows needed maintenance—which landed me in the chair of an eyebrow waxer. Walking out of the room, I'll never forget the pain, redness, and inflammation I experienced following the appointment. Determined to find the best method for brow hair removal, I researched everything from laser hair removal to a classic pair of tweezers. I eventually landed on eyebrow threading and haven't looked back.
"Eyebrow threading involves rolling a cotton thread along the skin, catching and pulling the hair out," celebrity eyebrow specialist Joey Healy explains. "This technique is considered one of the safest and most precise methods to shape the brows," Adriana Orozco, eyebrow specialist and founder of Ikal Spa + Face Salon, adds.
To give you a proper review of the threading process, I have not only documented my latest appointment but also chatted with brow experts Healy and Orozco to help answer all your burning questions about eyebrow threading.
What Is Eyebrow Threading?
Eyebrow threading is a hair removal method that precisely removes and trims brow hairs using a cotton or synthetic thread resembling a string. "This ancient technique originated in Asia and has been practiced for centuries. When you watch the process, it almost looks like magic because it’s so fast," says Healy, who compares the treatment to the sensation of a rubber band snapping against your skin as the hair is removed. Although I have to admit, I find the rubber band more painful by comparison.
What Are the Benefits of Eyebrow Threading?
Eyebrow threading is ideal for anyone who has a sensitive skin type. Compared to waxing, "eyebrow threading is less likely to cause any minor swelling, irritation, or an allergic reaction," Orozco says. Healy agrees, explaining that threading doesn’t involve heat or chemicals, unlike waxing, which can be harsh and strip the top layer of skin, thereby increasing the risk of burns or irritation.
It's also a great option for those who don't want to be bothered with constant upkeep. "Because hairs are removed at the root, it takes longer for the hairs to grow back and the shape is maintained for a longer period," says Orozco. For reference, I can typically go four weeks between appointments.
Healey notes that threading is also more precise, faster, inexpensive, and readily available at many salons compared to waxing.
How to Prep for Eyebrow Threading
"Before your appointment, it’s best to avoid using skincare or sunscreen products on your brows, and it’s also a good idea to come with clean brows free of makeup," Healy urges. You also want to stop using retinol or harsh active ingredients around your eye area two weeks prior to your threading session to avoid any potential irritation.
What to Expect During an Eyebrow Threading Appointment
Your brow artist will clean the area with an antiseptic, like rubbing alcohol, to disinfect the skin's surface. "Disinfection prevents contamination and exposure to bacteria," says Orozco. Then, you'll notice your brow artist getting into position. "Some people use powder to make the hairs more visible during threading, but I prefer magnifying glasses."
Next comes the thread. After clearing out the obvious stragglers on the top, sides, and middle of the brows—the least painful areas—the brow specialist will ask you to stretch the skin around your brows so they can reach the pesky hairs growing towards your eye. According to Orozco, stretching the skin will "prevent it from getting caught in the thread and getting cut." After the treatment, "a cream is applied to cover and soothe the pores and skin," Orozco adds.
Does Eyebrow Threading Hurt?
The pain level of eyebrow threading varies from person to person. While I may have a high pain tolerance (at least I think I do), I tend to find waxing and tweezing more painful than threading. "This varies depending on each individual's level of sensitivity," Orozco explains, adding that "women tend to be more sensitive and are more likely to experience discomfort when menstruating."
Orozco tells me that some people describe threading as a little uncomfortable but not painful, while many feel very little and fall asleep during the service. "People who do experience discomfort are most likely to do so during threading of the bottom area of the brow as opposed to the top or sides."
How Long Does Eyebrow Threading Take?
The entire appointment is incredibly quick. "Most appointments last about 10 minutes, as it's a quick service," says Healy. "Many places accept walk-ins without needing an appointment, making it convenient and accessible."
What Is the Aftercare of Eyebrow Threading?
You'll want to cleanse your skin directly following the appointment. "We also ask guests to avoid touching the threaded area to prevent bacteria from entering the exposed pores and possible breakouts," adds Orozco. "It’s best to keep the area clean, and while you can apply eyebrow makeup afterward, it’s a good idea to let the skin rest if you're prone to irritation or breakouts," Healy says.
If the brow area feels irritated, products with ingredients like tea tree oil, aloe vera, or chamomile can help calm it down.
What Are the Downsides of Eyebrow Threading?
While threading has many benefits—including cost, accessibility, and upkeep—it can cause minor irritation. "In most cases, potential adverse reactions such as redness or hives will subside within a few hours or a few minutes, even for sensitive individuals," says Orozco. But don't panic if redness lingers for a day or two.
It's also important to not that threading isn't as precise as tweezing. "Brows don’t grow in neat rows, so it’s essential to carefully consider each hair, which is easier to do with tweezing," says Healey. "Threading can make each brow look good individually, but it’s often hard to get them to match perfectly," he says. But remember: brows are sisters, not twins!
Finally, you may want to avoid threading if you have very fine eyebrow hair, which can make you more prone to ingrown hair, or if you have a cotton allergy.
What Does Eyebrow Threading Cost?
My eyebrow threading appointment with Orozco was $40; however, "the cost of eyebrow threading varies depending on the location, ranging from $5 to $75," notes Healy.
"If you select a service at the lower end of this range, you should expect a faster service without much attention to detail compared to the service you get at the higher end," says Orozco. Finding a good brow specialist who will give you the desired shape for your eyebrows can be a challenge, so I always recommend checking out reviews and asking around before trusting someone with your brows. After all, I found Orozco by combing through eyebrow specialist reviews on Yelp!
