The most accessible etiolation method, called threading (under the same name is also offered in salons), which does not require special devices and products, is hair removal with a thread. You can use it anywhere, and for the procedure you only need a spool of thread that will twist the hairs onto itself. Convenient and economical, it removes hair along with the root, which ensures maximum smoothness for a long time. To successfully perform the procedure, you will need some skill and dexterity, which even self-learning the procedure can provide.
Pros and cons of the procedure
This technique appeared in the East several centuries ago and has not lost its relevance today. Like any other, it has its pros and cons. The advantages of the method are obvious.
- Cheapness. This method can be called the cheapest. The procedure requires only a strong thread which will allow you to shave your hair at home.
- Simplicity. Depilation with a thread is easy to master, and with the acquisition of sufficient skill, epilation can be performed quickly and almost by touch.
- Availability. The thread can be found anywhere, and when going on a trip there is no need to take with you devices or wax strips for hair removal. You can use it anywhere.
- The effectiveness is the same as when using other hair removal methods. The thread copes with the task no worse than special devices. It even gets rid of hairs that are almost invisible to the eye. The skin remains smooth and silky.
- No risk of allergies. Most other products can provoke an unpleasant phenomenon, while the thread is suitable even for severe allergies. Using a thread is the so-called hypoallergenic method.
- Process control. When using a thread, all actions are completely controlled, and if necessary, you can immediately stop epilation.
However, there are also disadvantages to this method of shaving. There are fewer of them than the advantages, but when deciding to try thread depilation, the disadvantages need to be taken into account.
- Duration. To treat a large area with this technique will require much more time than when using wax strips or epilators. This happens because it will not be possible to capture a significant area of skin for treatment at a time due to the small area where the thread is twisted.
- It is problematic to use thread epilation for hard-to-reach areas of the skin. Using a thread to shave your bikini line is inconvenient.
- Unsuitable for dry skin. If you perform hair removal with a thread, having such a contraindication, this will lead to skin damage, which in turn will provoke an inflammatory process. In such a situation, it is best to use wax strips that have minimal impact on the skin.
- Need for training. Hair removal may not work the first time, without experience.
Considering both the advantages and disadvantages of this method, we can say that shaving with a thread is not an ideal option, but it has its strengths and can be used successfully when necessary.
Contraindications for the procedure
Any hair removal method, including thread hair removal, has a number of contraindications that require strict adherence. If they are present, it is necessary to postpone the procedure or completely abandon it. These include:
- period of exacerbation of skin pathologies;
- malignant or benign formations on the skin;
- herpes;
- infectious skin lesions;
- burns, including sunburn;
- skin allergies;
- wounds and abrasions;
- Diaper rash.
If the procedure is carried out by a master, then he knows exactly about all the contraindications to it. All restrictions are valid only if you use the thread in an area that has damage related to contraindications. The periods of menstruation and pregnancy deserve special attention. In the first case, there is an increase in skin sensitivity and a decrease in blood clotting, and in the second, due to pain, the tone of the uterus may increase, which is a dangerous condition that can cause miscarriage or premature birth.
How to use thread
You should use cotton or silk thread. Hair removal with a synthetic thread is not recommended, since it most often does not cope with this task due to the characteristics of the fiber that appear if the thread is folded. The thread is folded and tied into a ring and twisted in a figure eight, twisting in the center from 2 to 10 times depending on the size of the epilation area (the video will help you understand how to twist the thread). It is this place of twisting that is the epilation mechanism. The loops are placed on the thumb and index fingers of both hands - one on the left, the other on the right.
Read also: Removing hair from the nose: quickly, effectively, without pain (choosing the best hair removal method)
It is important that when stretching one ring by spreading the fingers on which it is draped, the twisted part moves to the other, which will decrease. During these manipulations, the thread begins to spin and, capturing the hairs, pulls them out. To better understand the process, it is useful to watch the video training. The smoothness of the skin will remain for 2-3 weeks.
For the procedure, the thread is brought under the hairs and then one of the rings is stretched to twist it with the hair. So she twists her hair around herself. Then, moving upward, they repeat the same thing, but stretching the second ring, which has become smaller. Manipulations are repeated until the entire area has been treated. It's good to watch the video for learning.
You should not use a shaving thread that is too long. This will interfere with stretching the loop. It will also be more difficult to fold. They should be easy to manipulate with your fingers, simply spreading them apart. Over time, the hairs begin to grow more slowly and after 5-6 months they become almost invisible, even if they are not pulled out in time.
Features of skin preparation
If you remove hair from an area that is not properly prepared, the effect will be low, since the skin will remain quite dense and it will be difficult to remove hair follicles, and the pain will intensify. To prepare you will need:
- hot water - use it to steam the skin (can be replaced with chamomile decoction);
- terry towel - it must be folded several times;
- ice cubes;
- antiseptic - chlorhexidine or miramistin.
If the skin on your hands is sensitive, it would be a good idea to wear gloves that will prevent chafing with the thread, which can happen if you twist it for a long time. This sometimes happens before you become skilled at threading hair removal with this technique.
A day before threading is carried out (this is the name of the thread method), it is necessary to treat the skin with a scrub. This is required to get rid of the stratum corneum, which will reduce the pain of the procedure. Steaming is carried out immediately before the hairs are removed. For this purpose, soak a towel in hot water or chamomile infusion and apply it to the skin for 10-15 minutes. This will open the pores and make the skin texture looser, which will have a beneficial effect on the hair removal process.
After steaming, it is necessary to disinfect the treated area. It is wiped with an antiseptic, applying the product using a piece of cotton wool or a cotton pad. At the last stage, immediately before depilation begins, the skin is wiped with an ice cube to reduce discomfort after epilation with a thread, and blotted with a paper towel. If the hairs are very short, you can also use baby powder, which will make the thread easier to grip the hairs.
Preparing for hair removal with thread on the face
Carrying out hair removal on unprepared skin can lead to injury, ineffective results, and also complicate the process itself.
Therefore, the face must be prepared. Epilation should be carried out on clean skin. It is recommended to wash your face with hot water. You can also make a compress using a towel soaked in hot water. This helps open the skin pores and make hair plucking easier.
In addition, it is necessary to treat your face with a special tonic or lotion, which will help remove excess dirt and oil from the skin, as well as disinfect it. This will prevent infection from entering through open pores and will make it possible to more deftly use the thread without sliding it over oily skin.
You can start the procedure only when the skin is completely dry. Before epilation, you can powder your face with talcum powder. This simple technique will help you capture hairs better.
If you are doing the procedure for the first time and are afraid of the pain that hair removal can cause, then there are several ways to reduce it. To do this, before drying the skin, treat it with a piece of ice. Instead, you can use a special cream with an anesthetic.
Epilation on legs
If depilation with thread has not yet been mastered, then you should choose your legs as a training ground. This will allow you to hone your skills, fully visually control the process and minimize hand fatigue. The procedure must be done moving from bottom to top. Hairs must be removed with sharp movements, which guarantees their extraction with the hair follicle. Having mastered how to do hair removal with thread on your legs at home, you can try it on another part of the body.
After the skin is cleansed, it is rubbed with ice again to soothe and relieve the raw sensation. After waiting a few more minutes, moisturizing lotion is applied to your feet. If droplets of blood appear on the skin, which is extremely rare, you need to re-wipe the skin with an antiseptic before applying the lotion.
Follow-up skin care
After the session, redness appears on the skin, which goes away after a few hours. For faster recovery, the treated areas should not be wetted or a lot of unnecessary products should be applied. Redness goes away quickly enough with the correct technique. Subsequent processing steps:
Application of an antiseptic. Hair is pulled out along with the roots, there is a risk of infection in the open follicle. Treatment with a special tonic helps get rid of flaking.
Applying a product that prevents rapid hair growth. This procedure is carried out between sessions.
During the week it is not recommended to visit bathhouses, solariums, beaches and swimming pools. If you are frequently exposed to the sun, it is recommended to cover the epilated areas. Neglecting this rule can lead to the appearance of pigmentation, especially on the face.
After a few days, it is recommended to lightly peel the treated surface. This procedure will prevent the appearance of ingrown hairs.
Treatment of the eyebrow area
The technique of hair removal with thread in this case is somewhat more complicated, since it is necessary to first outline and then maintain the pattern of the eyebrows, as well as there are many curves on the face. It is better to entrust the initial procedure on the face to a specialist who will create a beautiful shape. Then it can be maintained at home. If the eyebrows are modeled immediately on their own, then this should be done using a pencil, which outlines the three main lines. The first should go from the corner of the nose to the inner corner of the eye, the second - from the corner of the nose to the outer corner of the eye, and the third - along the line from the pupil to the corner of the nose. Hairs should be removed where they go beyond the lines.
Before hair removal with a thread, the facial skin must be steamed and treated with an antiseptic. The hairs are first removed along the lower line of the eyebrow, and then along the upper line. After completing the procedure, ice is applied to the skin of the face. Afterwards, lubricate the treated area with a rich cream.
Body parts for hair removal with thread
Thread hair removal is used in any area of the body. Eastern girls cleanse their faces this way. The thread is suitable to get rid of the fluff on the chin, the mustache above the upper lip. With this technology, hair is removed in a thin line, which is suitable for eyebrow hair removal with thread.
Threading can be used to remove unwanted hair from the legs and bikini area. But removing hair in the armpit area in this way is inconvenient, because you have to use both hands. But in a number of beauty salons they will perform this procedure for you.
Epilation in the bikini area
This area is especially sensitive in women, and therefore, when shaving it, maximum care must be taken. You can do the procedure yourself only in the upper part of this zone, without reaching particularly painful areas. It's better to contact a specialist. All manipulations are performed in the same way as thread removal of hair on other parts of the body. The only exception is that antiseptic treatment is necessary both before and after the procedure.
If the skin in the bikini area is particularly sensitive, an anesthetic such as lidocaine can be applied, but this is usually not necessary. You can perform this procedure yourself for the first time only after you have completely mastered removing excess hairs with a thread.
When and where to use thread
The thread hair removal method can be used by absolutely everyone, regardless of age, gender, skin phototype, or hair type. Threading is used for all areas of the body. However, the thread is most often used for:
- eyebrow shape correction;
- removal of mustache on the upper lip;
- eliminating fluff on the cheeks;
- getting rid of hair in the bikini area.
Arab women remove hair with a thread all over their bodies.
It should be noted that sometimes it is better to do the procedure in a salon rather than on your own. It is recommended to seek the services of specialists in the following cases:
- eyebrow correction. A professional cosmetologist will be able to use a thread to give your eyebrows a flawless shape. At home, many can do this only after gaining some experience;
- hand depilation Here it is quite difficult to do the procedure yourself, since during threading the thread is held by both hands;
- hair removal in the armpits.
How to care for your skin after the procedure
After epilating with a thread, you need to ensure skin care during the recovery period to avoid inflammation. After antiseptic treatment and lubrication with moisturizer, it is worth minimizing contact of the treated area with clothing for 2-3 hours.
Precautions that will need to be observed for 2 days after the procedure:
- avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, as otherwise there is a high risk of sunburn on the epilated areas;
- refusal to visit the sauna, bathhouse and public swimming pool;
- refusal to swim in open water;
- avoiding hot baths or scalding showers;
- avoiding the use of detergents with dyes, even if they are called for sensitive skin;
- refusal to use hard washcloths when bathing.
If severe irritation appears after shaving with a thread, you can use ice cubes made from a decoction of chamomile or calendula to relieve it. They will help you quickly restore your normal state. Irritation can occur if you have not fully mastered how to do hair removal with a thread at home.
Thread epilation is an ancient method of removing body hair, which has not lost its relevance today. It is easy to perform, allows you to get excellent results and is suitable for different areas of the body. Mastering this budget-friendly method is not difficult, and after a few training sessions, hair removal with thread at home becomes accessible to everyone.
