Threading vs. Waxing Hair Removal: Is Threading Better Than Waxing?

Just like objectionable body and face hair is considered a common problem to all women, they consider all methods that remove the hair from its roots exactly the same. 

For example, waxing, plucking, tweezing, and epilation are closely related but all are going to give you results for 3 to 4 weeks. However, this is not the case. Every method of hair removal differs concerning technique, benefits, side effects, compatible body parts, and much more. 

The difference between plucking and waxing is well-explained in plucking vs. waxing. We are particularly going to talk about threading vs. waxing in this article. One method is quick while the other is precise. 

One method needs no tools while the other has a whole setup. One method is easy to do by yourself while the other will take some practice to master. So, let us find out which one will be more suitable for you and for which part of the body. 

What is Waxing?

Waxing is a predominant body hair removal method that is used by women all over the world to groom unwanted hair like that of armpits, legs, arms, and bikini lines. It involves the usage of a hardening and sticky material in the melted form to grab and pull the hair from the roots. 

There are a variety of waxes like hot and cold wax and several types of waxing dispensers like a wax warmer pot to heat the wax, already melted soft wax, and wax rollers. 

Pros

The benefits of waxing are given as, 

• Is super fast when it comes to removing hair on a large area like thighs 
• Works great for facial hair removal as well
• You can do it yourself as the method is easy to perform 
• Grabs and pulls out a whole section of hair at once
• Traumatises hair follicles resulting in slowed regrowth of finer hair
• Removes the superficial layer of dead cells

Cons

The cons of waxing are given below, 

• Is not as precise as that threading when it comes to shaping eyebrows
• Can be expensive as you need several supplies if you are doing it at home and need to pay a whole sum if you are getting it done by an expert
• Hair can break midway resulting in bumps, ingrown hair, and swelling 
• Pulls the skin as well resulting in premature aging
• Cannot remove hair shorter than ¼ of an inch

What is Threading?

Threading is a professionally guided procedure for precise hair removal on the face and eyebrows. It ensures that your eyebrows are shaped symmetrically and each of your upper lip hair is removed efficiently. 

All you need is some practice to perform it safely at home or you can simply pay an esthetician to get it done as it does not cost much. A sterilized thread and you are good to go. 

Pros

The pros of threading are given below, 

• Works on each hair follicle individually with results lasting for a longer time as compared to waxing
• Is a preferred method when it comes to shaping eyebrows as it gives better control as compared to waxing
• Relatively inexpensive 
• Works well for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin as it does not come in contact with the skin
• Removes shortest hair strands as well
• You do not need to put the active skincare products on hold for threading 

Cons

The disadvantages of threading are given below, 

• Can be extremely painful even for a short eyebrow-threading session
• Can pull the skin instead of the hair resulting in skin tears
• Needs to be done by an expert for a safe session
• It can also cause bumps and ingrown hair
• Makes skin prone to molluscum contagiosum, a viral infection
• Takes a longer time as compared to waxing 

Threading Vs. Waxing: The Ultimate Winner

All popular methods of hair removal for women are given in Best methods of facial hair removal for women here. Let us talk about the individual factors of waxing and threading below. 

1. Compatible Body Area: Winner – A Tie

If we talk about where you can use the thread or wax on the body surface, the answer would be anywhere. However, waxing is a better choice for removing body hair including armpits, bikinis, and limbs. 

In contrast, threading proves to be a better option for the face, especially upper lips and eyebrows as wax can pull the delicate facial skin making you prone to wrinkles and fine lines. So, depending on the area you want to treat, both waxing and threading have their place in the grooming industry. 

2. Treatment Time: Winner – Waxing 

Threading works on a few hair strands at once. So, it takes a longer time to get done with the treatment. In comparison, you simply pull off a whole section of hair at once with waxing making it faster. 

This is exactly why threading can be suitable for small areas but not large ones. 

3. Tools Required: Winner – Threading 

Threading is simple regarding the requirement of supplies as all you need is a thread to pull the hair off and at times, powder if your skin gets sweaty. However, you need wax, wax warmer, wax sticks, and strips. 

Also, both of these procedures are difficult to perform at home. So, it is better to get an appointment at a salon if you are not skilled enough. 

4. Technique: Winner – A Tie

In threading, a thread is twisted multiple times to form a loop. The hair is then grabbed in this loop and pulled off by twisting it. It removes a few hairs at one time and you can move to the next section while moving your hands in a see-saw position. 

In waxing, a thin layer of melted sticky waxing material is applied to the hair. Then a strip is applied to the wax and it is ripped off in an instant removing the unwanted hair. Moreover, you do not need to use a strip while using hard wax. 

5. Feasibility to Do it Yourself: Winner – Waxing 

While both waxing and threading are more skin-friendly and safe when performed by an expert, you can do it at home as well with some practice.

 Keeping the skin taut and ensuring that skin does not get pinched in between the two strands of the thread can be difficult making threading less feasible. Also, it is hard to practice as you cannot experiment with your face. 

However, you only need to learn how to apply and rip the waxing strips off correctly in waxing making it more feasible to be done by yourself. You can easily practice it as well in the hidden areas of your body. 

6. Cost: Winner – Threading 

An in-salon session of threading for facial hair removal costs $10 to $20 and it is cheaper when done at home. However, waxing can be expensive as a waxing kit costs around $40 and a facial waxing session by an expert costs around $30.

So, threading can be the better choice if you are looking for a cheap hair removal method. 

7. Need of Maintenance: Winner – Waxing 

The results of threading last for 2 to 5 weeks as the thread only works as the hair without involving the hair follicle. However, waxing can last for a longer time of 3 to 6 weeks because it forcefully removes the hair from the follicle. So, waxing is easier to maintain. 

8. User Experience: Winner – Waxing 

Waxing provides a better user experience as compared to threading because the treatments are faster and less painful; skin becomes smoother after the session; hair removal lasts for a longer time; and hair regrowth is reduced as well. 

Moreover, waxing allows you to treat both face and body at once. But, if you have sensitive skin and only want to focus on facial hair removal, threading can suit you more. 

An Implacable Alternative to Waxing and Threading: IPL Hair Removal 

Whether it is waxing or threading, as long as a method pulls the hair out and stimulates pain in nerve endings, it is going to make you tear up. A good thing is its results last longer. 

But what if I tell you that you can get both long-lasting results and nearly painlessness? Well, IPL hair removal offers long-lasting results, nearly painless treatment, and compatibility with both the body and face. The comparison between IPL and waxing is given in waxing vs. IPL hair removal.

Moreover, dermatologically cleared IPL devices like the Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL hair removal Handset offer exceptional features and results. Some of its most attractive attributes are given as, 

• Nearly painless treatment because of sapphire ice cooling technology
• 12 minutes of full body treatment time due to 0.7 sec per flash speed
• Effective yet comfortable hair removal experience because of its 3 intensity levels and 2 treatment modes
• Safe and recommended as it is cleared by the FDA
• Quick observable results within 3 weeks to long-lasting results within 3 months (* refers to a decrease in hair count within 3 weeks, sourced from third-party laboratory testing reports. Individual results may vary)
• Its $329 price with lifelong flashes makes it cost-economical
• It is loved by customers as well

Comparison Table

The comparison among the three hair removal methods explained in this article is briefly given in this table. 

Conclusion 

Threading is an acceptable method of hair removal for shaping the eyebrows, getting rid of unwanted upper lip hair, and grooming facial hair. It works especially well for sensitive skin as it does not irritate it. Moreover, an inexpensive price makes it a good option.

In contrast, you might want to choose waxing as your go-to hair removal treatment for grooming the body hair, and exfoliating the skin. This is because waxing offers quicker and longer-lasting results with less pain. 

Furthermore, you can simply skip both of these painful methods of hair removal. A nearly painless method, skin-friendly, can be done at home and allows you to get done with payments of a lifetime of hair removal treatments at once. It is the IPL hair removal.