Threading

A few weeks ago the local Dallas' NBC affiliate ran a story about "Threading". Threading is an alternative to waxing, plucking or depilatories. Being that I have to apply at least one of those methods to my bi-weekly beauty regimen, I was anxious to know more about this practice.

Seeing the claims of "no pain", "quicker than waxing" and "low cost", I knew it would be a matter of time before I sought out the lady featured in the story to have this procedure.

Prior to making an appointment I had to Google "Threading" and get as much information as possible. Not that I'm suspicious, but I did not know if the women in the story were compensated for their testimony. I couldn't believe any methodology that requires hair to be snatched out could be anything less than painful.
I was surprised to find so much information on this process since that broadcast was the first time I had ever heard of it.

It is called khite in Arabic and fatlah in Egyptian. Its origins are sketchy. It may have started in Turkey, but is religiously practiced in India and the Middle East.

I made my appointment with The Threading Studio in posh Southlake, TX. It is located at 2717 E. Southlake Blvd inside of the "Suite Escape Salons" next to the Shoe Pavilion. Choosing this location was a no brainer since this was the studio featured in the news story and my only point of reference. It is a quaint little space with a book to sign up to be placed on the mailing list, a couple of chairs and a bench. I'm not sure what I was expecting when I arrived. The single barber-like chair nestled near the entrance of the suite was reclining and waiting for . . . me, I guess.

I was greeted by the smiling and beautiful technician, Sunita. "Hello. Please have a seat."

Again, I didn't know what to expect but Sunita assured me it wouldn't be long and that she would make it as painless as possible. The best part about the experience is that she informed me of every step before beginning.

She started by gently swiping a powdery scented cotton disk across my eyebrows. "I'm going to do your brows first", Sunita said as she instructed me to hold the area above and beneath my brow and to gently pull.

As I followed her instructions she began sweeping a thread across my eyebrow. Within seconds she handed me a mirror and said, "How do you like it?"

How did I like it???? Well, I'm sold! I have been waxing for well over 15 years and I have NEVER gotten the precision from wax that this threading technique offers.

Since I tend to be hairier than the average bear, I had my complete face done - Sunita does full face threading on Wednesdays starting at 3:00. Side burns, beard, mustache and that fuzzy stuff under the bottom lip, ALL GONE!

I was totally embarrassed having waited so long to have it all removed. But I thought the length would make grabbing it easier. She also told me it would get thinner with time. That's to be seen. All of the hair removal techniques make that claim and I have yet to see this stuff slow down.

Sunita was not just good at the threading; her customer service skills are outstanding. After doing a mini-assessment of my face she suggested the possibility of using laser. She herself had the technique done. Most laser treatments are not performed on women with dark complexions due to the color contrast of the laser and the skin. But Sunita says her person is great when working with dark complexions.

The entire process took less than twenty minutes.

As I left the salon another lady who had been waiting passed me. "I love this!" She shared with me that she had been getting the threading done while she lived in New York and was so happy to have found a reputable place here that does it.

Now, here's the information you really want to know.

DID IT HURT

Yes. I'm not going to lie or dance around this. BUT, the pain will depend on your personal pain threshold.

For me it felt like a multitude of tiny paper cuts. It wasn't nowhere near the horrendous ripping I've felt with waxing. Not to mention the skin lost I've suffered from waxing. I have sensitive skin and with each wax I normally will have some strange stripe left on my face from skin coming off or some sort of swelling.

IS IT EXPENSIVE

For the entire face (that includes under the chin) $40. I would normally pay $60 for a full face wax.

HOW OFTEN MUST IT BE DONE

Sunita told me for my brows I should come back 2 to 3 weeks. But she wouldn't think of doing the full face for at least 5 weeks.

WHAT ARE THE NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCED IN THIS, WAXING, SUGARING OR DEPILATORIES

If you use facial products with alpha hydroxy or other exfoliating agents, like I have, you cannot wax right away. You will either lose skin or have swelling.

There is no smell with Threading. ALL depilatories have a scent, even the unscented ones.

I used to do sugaring, but it does not adhere to the hair well enough to remove it all. The threading (however it works) snatched the hair out as if it were being waxed. There is no fuzzy, stubbly look as if the hair was just raked over

WOULD I DO IT AGAIN

I have programmed my recommended appointments into my Blackjack and will see Sunita within the next 2 to 3 weeks.

It wasn't just the hair removal. But I swear it was like a mini-face lift! I didn't think I looked that bad before going in. But this technique brightened up my face and seemingly opened my eyes more.

Yes, it hurt. Yes, I will be back. Yes, I recommend it!

UP SIDE

1. Quick

2. Not as painful as waxing

3. No smell

4. Inexpensive

DOWN SIDE

1. Finding little hairs hours after the technique is done.

Now, can someone expose some ancient secret to get rid of cellulite!