Why You Should Consider Threading Your Eyebrows

With so many modern options available for shaping your eyebrows — from wax kits easy enough to use at home to precision-tip tweezers — it may seem strange to choose a method that has been around for centuries. However, there's a good reason threading, which involves a thin thread being rolled over the skin to pull unwanted hairs out at the follicle, has lasted through generations of eyebrow groomers and made its way from the East to the West.

1. It's precise.

"The thread doubles as a ruler, allowing a specialist to measure and create the desired eyebrow shape," explains Hibba Kapil, owner of Hibba salons in New York City. "Several hairs can be removed in a row or a single hair can be plucked at a time.

You can make a dramatic or subtle change with threading.

2. It's less painful than other hair removal options.

Is threading like getting a pleasant little eyebrow massage? No. But many people who swear by it say it's way less uncomfortable than the alternatives. "Threading is much quicker than tweezing," which, unlike threading, requires plucking one hair at a time, Kapil explains. "An arch can be sculpted with minimal irritation, unlike waxing, which tugs at the delicate skin around the eye."

3. Maintenance is infrequent and fast.

Everyone's hair grows at a different pace, but you can expect to see your threading specialist only about once a month for upkeep. And depending on how much you're looking to change the shape of your brows, a professional threading session can run from 10 to 20 minutes, and you can get right back to whatever you were doing without significant redness.

If you do happen to experience irritation after a threading session, Kapil says that, "Rose water or aloe vera gel are excellent, natural ways to reduce redness and irritation post hair removal."

Threading is perfect for grabbing a few strays while enhancing your brow shape.

4. It's safe.

Although your threader will likely hold one end of the thread between her teeth, her saliva will never touch your skin if she's a properly trained specialist. Other things to look out for to know you're going to someone legit: "A specialist with several years of experience will take the time to address your concerns, analyze your brows and will pause to examine her work while threading." ( http://www.goodhousekeeping.com )