OK, So Brow Threading Actually Isn't *That* Painful (2024)

If you're a fan of bold, beautifully-arched eyebrows, you most likely have a preferred method of maintaining yours. Plenty of people these days prefer waxing, tweezing, and even the old fashioned method of shaping up with the brows with a razor blade. But if you have yet to try one of the most popular methods, eyebrow threading, consider this your guide.

Meet Our Experts: Umbreen Sheikh, founder of Wink Brow Bar, Jared Bailey, global brow expert for Benefit Cosmetics

Want to learn more? Here’s everything you need to know about eyebrow threading, according to the experts.

What Is Eyebrow Threading?

For the uninitiated, threading is an ancient hair removal technique that’s been around for centuries, and it’s ideal for small areas like the brows. Think of it as an alternative to waxing—minus the stickiness and potential mess.

"It’s where we take a twisted cotton thread and use it to gently pull the hair from the follicle,” says Umbreen Sheikh, founder of Wink Brow Bar. "It cleans up brows so well that many brow enthusiasts prefer it to waxing."

“The tools you need for threading are very simple,” adds Benefit Cosmetics’ global brow expert, Jared Bailey. “All you need is 100 percent cotton thread, a pair of scissors, and two sets of hands to manipulate the lasso in the thread back and forth."

No matter who you entrust with the job, it's important to make sure that the thread being used is 100 percent cotton. "This helps ensure the thread is strong enough to remove even the coarsest hair without breaking but is soft enough to not nip or cut the skin the way a blended thread could,” Bailey explains.

What Are The Benefits of Eyebrow Threading?

One of the most significant benefits of threading is that it’s not as damaging to the skin and hair follicles as waxing and sugaring. “It’s also an organic natural technique where you aren’t putting any foreign or unknown chemicals on your face,” Sheikh explains. "What sets threading apart from other hair removal techniques is its precision."

Depending on how your hair grows, sometimes waxing can leave behind small hairs that are later plucked. Since a threading artist will go through your hair row by row, it's easier to remove the smaller hairs that wax can't always get to. With such an accurate clean-up, threaded brows can often keep their shape longer, allowing you to go longer in between appointments. Sheikh also notes that when you keep to a regular cycle, your brows will stay in their best shape longer since they will be trained into shape.

And don’t worry if you’ve been waxing: there isn’t a right or wrong way to take care of your brows. “Waxing, if done correctly, is okay as well, but threading is considered a safer way if you have very sensitive skin or very dry skin, as there is less chance of skin ripping off with the wax,” Sheikh says.

Is Eyebrow Threading Painful?

That depends on your level of tolerance, but plenty of people will tell you that threading doesn't hurt at all. “Most of our clients say it’s not very painful. It’s just a different sensation that they have to get used to, especially if trying for the first time,” Sheikh explains. "We have seen clients whose eyes water during the process, but that's it—nothing serious at all."

How Often Will I Have to Get My Eyebrows Threaded?

If you're consistently seeing your technician, the service will last about two to four weeks, depending on your hair’s growth. Because threading removes even the tiniest hairs, “it is perceived that threading lasts longer, as hairs that are just under the surface of the skin may be removed with threading that may have shown up with waxing a few days after being waxed,” Sheikh says.

It’s safe to get your brows done every two to three weeks, and it usually only takes about 15 minutes, so you’ll be in and out of the chair in no time.

How Much Does Eyebrow Threading Cost?

This obviously varies from salon to salon, but in some cases, getting your brows threaded can be slightly cheaper than waxing. “Depending on where you are in the world, it could range anywhere from $5 to $100,” Bailey explains. At a Benefit Boutique, a service costs $29, though you may be able to find plenty of other brow threading boutiques who offer the service for less.