When it comes to shaping the perfect brow or getting rid of facial hair, waxing and threading are the two main options, but does one produce superior results?
For decades waxing has been the main form of upkeep for Australian women dealing with unwanted body and facial hair.
But, in recent years threading has crept into salons, and is fast becoming a popular option.
So, one superior to the other? Two experts offer their professional opinion.
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All about waxing
Waxing is a tried and trusted hair removal technique.
It can remove all hair types and is considered a fast and straightforward way to get rid of hair across your entire body.
Melbourne dermatologist, Dr Katherine Armour says for most people, waxing is a suitable choice, especially when tackling dense hair on your legs and bikini line, where individual hair removal is too time-consuming.
Another benefit of waxing is that you can do it in the privacy of your own home with over-the-counter waxing kits now widely available, including wax wands to target brow or moustache areas precisely.
“Wax is absolutely fine for most people,” Dr Armour says.
“However, it depends on the operator, and how experienced they are.”
“You can end up breaking off the hair rather than properly removing it.”
When it comes to the downsides, there are a few things to think about.
First, wax can burn the skin if it’s too hot or cause reactions on sensitive skin.
It’s also messy so you can end up dripping it in the wrong places.
Dr Armour advises anyone taking isotretinoin – an acne medication – should steer clear of waxing, “as this medication can induce skin fragility which may result in skin tears if you try waxing while you’re taking it.”
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Threading basics
This is an ancient method of plucking using thread that originated in India and has become hugely popular in Australian salons in recent years.
“Threading pulls the hair from the roots, and because it’s precise, it gives you a much nicer shape,” Marina Azi, from Brow Boutique by Marina, says.
“It will last longer, and it won’t cause as much inflammation or create blisters around the eyebrows.”
One significant benefit of threading is you don’t have to wait for the hair to grow back in full to remove it again, she adds.
Threading is also ideal for people with sensitive skin and allows “really fine control in small areas,” Dr Armour adds.
The downside, according to Marina, is that threading takes longer than waxing and is not really suitable for removal of hair on other areas on your body because it will take too long.
Does threading or waxing produce better results?
When it comes to removing hair from the face, both our experts agree threading is the best option as it’s less likely to irritate the skin, can be done more regularly and allows precise targeting.
But for larger areas, Dr Armour and Marina say go with waxing, or a more permanent hair removal alternative like laser hair removal, simply due to the amount of hair that needs to be removed.
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