Why is Threading cheaper that other eyebrow shaping methods?

So, for some time now, I have pondering this very question, because I don't understand it quite frankly because in my opinion you can buy your own tweezers and wax and shape your eyebrows yourself! However, how many of you can thread and shape your own eyebrows?

Let me tell you that, in my opinion, Threading is a SKILL; an art infact. Anyone can learn to thread nowadays, but it takes time and ALOT of experience to become a good Threading Aesthetician. So why are Salons offering this treatment for so cheap?

Ask anyone who as had threading; that used long term, Threading is anyway a very cost-effective treatment to have. The only answer I can come up with is that those salons, beauticians etc. offering CHEAP Threading have a newly trained Threader and want to offer this treatment cheaply in order that they get the experience. Now... tell me, do you want someone who has had one day's training; with minimal practical experience to touch your eyebrows?

So for those bargain hunters out there; paying £3 or less for an eyebrow shape sounds like a great deal, but you may want to ask how much experience and training the Aesthetician has had before embarking on shaping your eyebrows or removing unwanted facial hair!

Common complaints that I get from clients who had had bad previous threading experiences by other Aestheticians are:

1) A very "in-out" service which is very impersonal

2) No after-care advice or pre-thread consultation

3) Mishaped eyebrows, eyebrows too thin and uneven eyebrows 

4) Nips and Cuts caused by poor control of the thread or the aesthetician rushing

5) They never see the same aesthetician twice, so end up having a different shape to their eyebrows everytime

So think twice before you grab that bargain.... because it may turn into a nightmare! Threading is a skill and like with any trade, highly skilled individuals cost money sadly and you will most likely get what you pay for!

How to Grow your eyebrows back

Well shaped Eyebrows will frame your face and enhance nonverbal communication (such as the expression of emotion). Eyebrow hair have a six to eight week growth cycle and follow the same growth, resting and shedding cycle as other body hair (not head hair).

Sadly, many of my clients suffer from sparse or 'gaps' on their eyebrows caused by; a bad previous therapist (!), over plucking, side effects to medications and/ or due to alopacia areata which leaves them feeling very self-concious.

Based on my experience and advice I give to my clients, I have made a list of suggestions to help grow back those hairs naturally; without the need to invest in expensive lotions and potions that are out there in the market.

It is important to note however that this is a LONG TERM and SLOW process; which can take upto 3 months, so before embarking on one or more of these suggestions one must be prepared to patient!

Tips:

1) Essential Oils - Using drops of Peppermint, Rosemary & Sage (3-4 drops of each) mixed with a table spoon of Olive oil. Massage this mixture for atleast 2 minutes once or twice a day. Peppermint is used for stimulating blood flow and Sage & Rosemary have antibacterial properties ans nourish the hair follicle.

***Please check beforehand by applying the mixture on a sensitive spot for any reactions/ sensitivity you may have to any of these oils before using it on your eyebrows!

***Also, some oils are not suitable for use in pregnancy, therefore please check before purchasing these oils if they are suitable to be used during preganancy.

2) Massage - Using your fingers or a Brow Brush, gently massage the areas of your eyebrows in the direction of hair for up to 10 minutes. You can add a drop or two of Vitamine E, Caster or Olive oil to the brush/ finger for the massage. Do this atleast twice daily.

3) Vitamins! - Research shows that Vitamins A, B3, C & E are good for hair growth as these vitamins increase the intake of Proteins.

4) Water - Also drink LOTS of water to ensure your body removes toxins.

Avoid having hair removed too close to those areas you are trying to grow back. This is why Eyebrow Threading is so wonderful; one can remove a hair at a time!

Eyebrows - Waxing vs Threading

WAXING VS THREADING

 In the West, it is normal to get your eyebrows waxed and all salons offer this treatment right? In the East it is very unlikely to even have eyebrow waxing as an option on a treatment list. It will always be Threading!

So I have put together a list of why I think Threading is FAR SUPERIOR to Waxing.

Waxing is:

1) More painful – Waxing is more painful than threading. Since threading only targets individual hairs, skin irritation is kept to a minimum, unlike waxing, which often causes unnecessary stretching and removal of the skin’s delicate top layers.

2) Not Perfect – Threading is very precise and allows to have a greater control than waxing, resulting in a better brow shape.

3) Not Natural – Threading is 100% natural; no artificial waxes, chemicals, or invasive techniques are used.

4) Anti-Acne – The majority of individuals that breakout from waxing tend to not to suffer the same effect from threading. Also, threading can be used for individuals who are currently using medications for acne-based skin conditions.

5) Harmful to the skin – Waxing can pull, stretch, and even remove the delicate skin on your face; eventually facilitating in the development of wrinkles! Threading does none of this!

6) Less safe - Threading is better for your skin. When you wax you not only pull the hair but also pull on the skin which is very delicate and after a while it will become'saggy'

7) Redness and no proper shape-Unlike threading, waxing makes the eye area red afterwards (for a longer period of time)and its painful and shaping is not as accurate. 

So, do you still want your eyebrows waxed? If you haven't tried Threading before, now would be a great time to start!

I have been shaping my own eyebrows since I was a teenager and waxing was NEVER an option to me!

Unwanted Facial Hair in Menopause

Unwanted facial hair will be different for every woman, e.g. a few hairs on the chin, growth on the upper lip or heavy and beard like. An increase in facial hair in Menopause is due to hormonal changes; namely the levels of Oestrogen and Testosterone. Some medications (and certain hormone replacement products) can also cause of the increased degree of facial hair.

However, you don't have to suffer in silence. As a woman ages, she will unfortunately find coarse, dark hairs emerging on areas of the face she never did before. In the past, waxing and plucking have been the method of choice for the removal of these unwanted hairs. However, waxing can increase the rate of ageing of the skin (which is the last thing you want!), and plucking can lead to hairs growing back thicker and can often lead to in-grown hairs.

As a result, many women are turning to techniques such as Threading as it is by far the safest and most effective way of removing unwanted hairs. It does not damage the skin as the hairs are removed and in time can often make the hair finer and more bearable (and less noticeable!). 

In my experience, threading is a safe, effective and a natural way of removing unwanted hair - regardless of age!

 

Getting Hairy in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an amazing experience. The most noticeable difference (aside from your growing belly and bust!) is how your hair looks so healthy, shiny and fuller. For some though there is also a traumatic side to this new phenomenon; hair starts growing in places where you never had hair before!

The unwanted hair normally presents itself on: chin, upper lip, cheeks, neck, abdomen, breasts, and back. Never fear though... this hair usually disappears or greatly reduces once the baby is born. So why do you get more hairy? The main reason for this is hormones related to pregnancy. Androgens (aka sex hormones) and cortisone levels are increased in pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones rise sharply in the first trimester; which is probably when you will first start to notice the 'new' hair.

The hair is more noticeable in darker haired ladies and less so in fair haired ladies however, how self conscious one feels about this is individual. Most advise against the use of hair removal creams and bleaching agents during pregnancy - so threading the hair can be a great way to remove this unwanted hair - especially on your face as you can hide the rest! It is also important to note that during pregnancy, there is increased blood flow which generally means hair will grow back sooner and you may be more 'sensitive' to the sensation of hair removal.

Again, if threading is an option you are considering for removing this unwanted hair, it is well worth visiting a threading professional who has plenty of experience and preferably has had previous experience of threading pregnant ladies.

Threading and Wedding

It's been some weeks since my last post. Having been busy threading many bride and groom-to-be's and also having been to two wonderful weddings myself, I am going to keep with the wedding theme this blog.

Your wedding day is one of the single most important days of your  life. Particularly so for the bride. It's alot of pressure actually (having once been a bride myself) where you know as the bride, you will be the centre of attention the whole day as well as the talk of the entire wedding; both during and a long time after. So no wonder you want to look your best.

Since about April of this year, I have had an influx of 2011 bride/ groom-to-be's who want to 'sort out' their eyebrows and/or remove the unwanted facial hair in preparation for the big day. Some have never tried Threading before visiting me, and unsurprisingly, they are hooked after their first treatment! Many of them then refer their mothers, bridesmaids and other friends as a result - gosh what a compliment.

In my opinion, it's always good to start threading some months ahead of the big day - especially if you want to get a great shape to your eyebrows. Also, hair growth becomes finer with time, therefore you may find that where you were waxing/ plucking every 2 weeks, with long term threading, you may not need threading for 3-4-5 weeks or even longer (depending on the individual) - so you have lovely eyebrows and no noticeable facial hair during the honeymoon!

For those bride/ groom to-be's that are considering threading, I say - GO FOR IT but make sure you find a Threader who is qualified, insured and of course has a reputation for being good at what they do!

Online Appointment Booking!

I'm very excited to announce a the launch of my new appointment booking system on my website.

New and existing clients can view my availability and book treatments they wish to have using this tool. Of course, the 'Contact Me' page still exists so that those preferring to call or email me can do so. The booking system is ideal for those clients wishing to have a single treatment or a full face option. Those wishing to have multiple treatments e.g. eyebrows and upper lip are still recommended to contact me directly so that I can enter their appointment on to the system directly.

It's a fantastic new tool, which I hope will bode useful to clients.

I love technology!