You know what they say — beauty is pain. Almost all of us, at some point in our lives, have suffered in the name of beauty. From the first time you waxed your legs to performing your regular eyebrow tweezings, a little pain is pretty commonplace in the beauty world. It's almost always worth it... except, of course, when it isn't. Which brings us to the little topic of full-face threading (yep, pretty much exactly what it sounds like: using the popular eyebrow threading technique to remove all your peach fuzz). So, what's the deal? How much does it hurt, exactly? And is it worth the pain? Read on to find out.
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Why full-face threading?
Many choose to remove their peach fuzz (aka "vellus hair") because of the extra level of smoothness it gives your skin — it can create a glowier complexion, and the lack of hair makes for the perfect blank canvas for makeup. The catch? Well, peach fuzz is notoriously difficult to remove due to its fine texture. It's so fine that most hair removal methods such as laser and waxing don't work (and can actually cause damage to your face) — which is why full-face threading has become a popular method.
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The downsides of face threading
Believe it or not, just like laser hair removal, threading can actually cause HPV. A study from NCBI has cited threading as a potential cause of cosmetic warts. (Think about it, it could happen if your threader used their mouth to steady the threads before applying them to your skin. Yikes.) In addition to HPV, face threading can also lead to folliculitis, a breakout-like skin condition caused by irritation of the hair follicles. That's why choosing a reputable salon for face threading is crucial. Although threading is a common service, some salons may not be practicing strict hygiene.
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What to do before your face threading session
If you're determined to go ahead with your face threading session, be prepared: Avoid any exfoliants, acids and other skin treatments prior to treatment. Also, threading will leave your skin very sensitive, so take care not to use any heavy creams afterwards. Last but not least, expect that it will be a painful experience (yes, even if your friends tell you it's not that bad).
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Alternatives to face threading
Did we scare you away? Well, if threading's not for you but you still want to eliminate your peach fuzz, there are other hair removal methods to consider. Dermaplaning has become extremely popular because it not only removes hair but also exfoliates your skin. Plus, you can easily do it yourself. You can also choose not remove the hair and bleach it instead.
Whether you decide to endure the pain or keep the hair, well — it's all up to you.
