For the sake of the uninitiated, threading is a temporary means of hair removal using cotton thread, twisted and gently rolled onto the skin to trap and pull out unwanted hair. It is a widely-used epilation method along with tweezing, waxing, and sugaring, all of which remove the entire hair strand including the roots.

By Tish Ong

The first time I had an eyebrow threading treatment was way back in my teen years. I thought it was a new technique back then, but only recently did I find out that threading is a centuries-old Asian tradition. Several sources claim that it originated in India, the Middle East, Turkey, and even China. In ancient Persia, it served as a rite of passage for girls—threading marks her transition into womanhood. In Iran, special occasions call for the ritual of threading for women, such as for the bride-to-be prior to her wedding day. It is also a popular hair removal method for men in the Middle East, where threading is done to eliminate hair on the brows, ears, and sideburns. Today, it has become a well-received epilation method in many parts of the world, while many salon chains here in the Philippines now offer threading services.

There are several reasons why threading is an ideal method for facial hair removal. I personally prefer threading because the idea of subjecting my face to hot wax or sharp metallic objects just isn’t appealing (I’d take cotton thread any day, thank you.) From the experts’ point of view, threading is recommended for sensitive skin. As such, establishments like Lay-Bare Waxing Salon only offer threading for eyebrow shaping. Co-owner Fiona Hilario says the sensitive eye skin area is prone to sagging, so the pulling required by waxing is highly discouraged. Meanwhile, Ms. Rosalie of Piandre Trinoma says their salon recommends threading for those who undergo facial derma treatments, as it does not make use of chemicals that may irritate or cause an allergic reaction. Trained threading specialists also find it ideal for eyebrow shaping, as it is done quickly and allows them to be very precise without resorting to tweezing out most of the strands one by one.

Various salons around the city have so far given me great results on eyebrow threading despite the fact that tears threaten to roll down from my eyes every time. The pain becomes more bearable with repetition, what with the little time you need to endure it. I particularly like the fact that I don’t have to think about them for another few weeks. Similar with waxing or tweezing, you will need to keep the threaded area dry for four hours after treatment to let the redness subside and avoid irritation. Some establishments like Lay-Bare and Piandre also apply mild creams or gels to help soothe the area and speed up the skin’s recovery.

Oh, what pain women go through in the name of beauty! But at least, there are treatments like threading that are quick, all-natural, and easy on the budget. It makes feeling a bit prettier so worth enduring a little pain.