Threading Back Hair – The Step-By-Step Guide
For many men, back hair can be embarrassing, and finding a way to remove it can become confusing. Do you go for the dreaded, painful wax? Do you shave?
While these are all options to be considered, one of the safest and most effective methods of hair removal for back hair is threading. Better yet, you can do it at home!
How exactly do you remove back hair with threading?
You will definitely need some help when threading back hair, as it will be almost impossible to reach all the areas of your back and ensure that all hair is removed, leaving you without any hairy patches.
Here is a step-by-step guide, including everything you might need to know to thread your back hair.
How To Thread Back Hair
Along with your trusted threading helper, here are the steps to successfully thread back hair.
Get your tools
Using the traditional method of threading is best at first before investing in a threading machine. You will need to use a 40-count cotton thread.
Cut this into a 30cm length and tie the ends together to form a large loop. Place your palms facing inwards and loop the string over the outside of your fingers, stretching them to form a rectangle.
Twisting
Move your hands in opposing circular movements for about 10 cycles to form a twisted line along the middle of the loop.
Carefully release your forefingers and little fingers, leaving only your thumbs, ring fingers, and middle fingers in the loop of the string.
Pull the string taut, alternating as you pull up from the middle finger on each hand.
This moves the twisted section from one side of the string to the next.
This twisted section is what catches the hair and pulls it from the follicles.
Thread
Start with the top of your back, holding the skin taut and tight.
The person helping you will need to hold the string to your back, moving the threaded twist right by lifting the left middle finger.
Place this twisted section at the top of your back and lift up the right middle finger to move the twist along the line of the thread, catching any hairs it comes into contact with on your back.
Repeat this process backwards and forwards along the back, cleaning the string of hair every so often.
Do not press the string against the back, as this will restrict its movement and prevent the twist from shifting from one side to the next.
This process will take some time, and you may need to stop occasionally to catch your breath and readjust.
However, the process will definitely be worth it, as your back will be completely free from hair, and there should be minimal damage to your skin.
Why You Should Thread Back Hair
Threading back hair might not seem like the obvious choice, covering such a large area with such a small string, but it does come with some great benefits and advantages when compared to other methods of hair removal.
- Threading is ideal for individuals with sensitive skin or those prone to breakouts or acne. Threading does not require any harmful chemicals or heat to remove hair, making it a safe option for sensitive skin. This method does not leave excessive redness, scabbing or hyperpigmentation. You will likely experience some redness and irritation, but this should subside soon.
- Threading can capture small, fine, and short hairs that are often missed by shaving and waxing. This allows you to achieve a completely smooth, hair-free back with no missed patches or stray hairs. It will take some practice to achieve this, but over time, your skin will be completely hair-free.
- The only chemicals needed for threading are those used to clean, prepare, and soothe the skin. There is very little waste when threading, as a cotton string is all that is needed, and it is all that needs to be thrown away once the threading has been completed.
- Threading can be done from the comfort of your own home. A piece of cotton costs next to nothing and is all you need for hair removal. This saves you a significant amount of time compared to waxing or laser hair removal, which requires regular salon visits and costs both time and money.
Threading Machines
If you are a bit nervous about trying threading in the traditional way, using only a cotton thread, you can consider purchasing a threading machine.
These devices work exactly the same as you would using the traditional method, except the little device does all the work for you.
Most new threading machines come with adjustable speed settings, allowing you to control the machine’s speed.
For starting out, it is best to use the lowest setting available on the machine and work your way up from there.
The newer threading machines also include an LED light, which illuminates the skin and hair to reveal even the finest hairs, allowing for each hair to be removed for the smoothest results.
Threading machines are generally really affordable and can last a really long time.
While they do cost more than a simple piece of cotton thread, the cost does pay itself off in the long run, saving you from salon visits.
Aftercare For Threading
As your back is a larger area, you may experience some redness and irritation when threading, as well as in the hours that follow.
Simple aftercare is all that is needed to soothe the skin and prevent further irritation.
There are several options to consider when treating the skin after threading.
Aloe vera is one of the better options. It is natural and has soothing properties, as well as antibacterial properties, which help ease irritation and redness while protecting your skin from harmful bacteria.
Calamine lotion, like this one on Amazon, also does wonders in soothing red and irritated skin and is fairly inexpensive to buy as well.
Another option is to use a post-wax lotion, which provides everything your skin needs to recover from threading, stay hydrated, and remain irritation-free.
Once you have finished threading, avoid going into the sun for a few hours and use sunscreen when you do eventually go out.
Your skin will be more sensitive and prone to damage from UV rays. Avoid applying any lotions to the skin which might contain oils or fragrances, as this could irritate the skin even more.
Related Questions
Is threading painful?
Whether threading is painful or not depends on each individual.
Women often experience more sensitive skin during their period, which can make threading more painful.
For men, each person has a different pain threshold, which can cause the pain to range from a mild irritation to a quite painful experience.
What is the recovery period after threading?
Some lucky people experience no irritation or redness after threading. Others find that their skin becomes slightly irritated, but this irritation typically subsides within 2–3 hours.
To help skin recover faster, an after-wax lotion containing Aloe vera should be applied to the skin.
If irritation persists, you can apply an ice pack to the affected area to help alleviate any pain or redness.
What should I do after threading?
Try and keep the threaded area clean for at least 24 hours after threading. Avoid sunbathing, hot baths and showers, and refrain from using sunbeds, saunas, and steam rooms.
Avoid sweating excessively, as this could clog the open follicles and cause a breakout on the skin.
How long does threading last?
Skin can remain hair-free for 2–6 weeks after threading. If threading is done regularly, the follicles can become damaged, causing hair to grow back slower, sparser, and finer.
This makes threading in the future much easier, as there is less hair to remove, and the hair is easily pulled from the roots due to its fine nature.
Shaving or waxing between threading sessions should be avoided, as this can cause ingrown hairs or make the hair grow back coarser, undoing the efforts you have made with threading over an extensive period.
Threading Back Hair
While the back is a slightly larger area to thread, it is completely doable. Grab a trusted partner and practice threading techniques before attempting to thread actual hair.
If the traditional threading technique does not work, you could always choose to use a threading machine, which can be found online and purchased for a very low price.
There are many different threading machines to choose from, so find one that suits your needs best and is also suited for larger areas.
Threading at home saves you a significant amount of effort by eliminating the need to visit a salon regularly, and it also allows you to maintain your own threading schedule, tailored to suit your lifestyle.
Threading is inexpensive, easy to do, and highly effective for removing unwanted back hair.
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