Threading Your Legs – The Complete Guide
Threading is a hair removal technique that helps pluck hair right from the root, leaving the skin silky smooth for longer.
Threading is traditionally used to groom eyebrows and manage facial hair, but because of its effectiveness, some people choose to thread their legs.
For silky smooth legs, threading might be your best choice, but how do you do it?
You can remove leg hair by using a threading machine. Hold the machine at a 90-degree angle to your skin, and avoid pushing it into your skin. Rather, hold it gently on your skin. Move it against the direction of hair growth, slowly, to ensure the machine is given enough time to pick up all of the hairs, including the smallest and finest of leg hairs.
Putting aside the traditional threading technique of using small cotton threads, you can purchase a threading machine, which gets the job done in nearly no time, and the machines are really easy to use.
Threading Vs Waxing
There is an age-old debate on which hair removal method is better.
While the main component is personal preference, there are some differences that should be taken note of before deciding which is best for you.
The benefits of threading are that it removes hair from the root, allowing the hair to grow back much more slowly than with waxing.
The cotton thread is also able to hold onto and remove small hairs that are often missed with waxing, resulting in a more precise and defined finish.
Threading, while it does hurt, does not hurt as much as waxing..
This is because the hot wax adheres to the skin and hair, and when it is ripped off, the wax pulls at the skin, which can cause pain and discomfort.
Threading, on the other hand, only pulls out the hair and does not come into contact with the skin, and is only painful or uncomfortable when the hair is pulled out.
How To Thread Leg Hair
Threading your leg hair might take a little time, as there is more area to cover.
However, with the proper tools and techniques, you will soon have hair-free legs to enjoy for a few weeks!
Prepare – Before beginning to thread, you should ensure your legs are clean and washed. When hairs are pulled from the root, the follicles and pores are left open and damaged.
If bacteria are present on the skin, they can enter the pores and cause irritation and infection.
Make sure to wash your hands and your threading tools as well to ensure everything is as hygienic as possible.
Find a spot – Avoid standing while threading your legs. Constantly bending over can become really tiring and may cause back pain.
Instead, sit on a chair and find something to put your feet up onto. This will allow you to stay seated while still having access to all areas of your leg.
Device – Test your threading machine to ensure it is working properly, and start with the lowest setting.
Check to see if your device has an LED light built in, which helps illuminate even the finest hairs, allowing you to remove all hairs on your
Pull your skin – Before placing the threading device on your skin, pull your skin taut.
This will allow the machine to grip the hairs more effectively and help ease the pain slightly when the hairs are pulled out.
Aftercare – After threading your legs, apply an oil-free, fragrance-free lotion to your skin.
One that contains aloe vera is ideal, as it will soothe your skin and also help protect against germs and bacteria.
Benefits of Threading Legs
There are several reasons why you should consider threading your legs over waxing and shaving. Here are some of the benefits:
- Threading is a safe method of hair removal. It does not harm the skin the way that depilatory creams and waxes do, as the top layer of skin is not damaged, and it does not include harmful chemicals or use heat. It is a great option for those with sensitive skin or acne.
- Threading only pulls at the hair, unlike waxing, which pulls and damages the skin and can, over time, cause wrinkles.
- Threading removes all types of hair, including fine, coarse, long, and very short hair, which is more effective than other hair removal methods.
- Threading removes one clean line of hair at a time, which makes it ideal for shaping eyebrows or moving slowly down the leg in a methodical manner.
- Using threading helps to avoid skin rashes, irritation or excessive redness. The skin might appear red for a few minutes after threading, but this subsides quickly.
- Threading is considerably less painful than tweezing or waxing and is kinder to the skin.
- As threading removes the hair from the follicle, over time, it weakens the follicle to the point where hair growth becomes less dense, and any new hair will grow sparser and finer.
- The regrowth of hair after threading is between 2-4 weeks. This makes threading an effective hair removal method, as skin stays smoother and hair-free for longer periods.
How To Care For Legs After Threading
Caring for your legs after threading is so important. These are some simple aftercare tips to follow once you have threaded your leg hair:
Skip harsh soaps – Avoid using any soaps or body washes which can contain harsh chemicals for 24 hours after threading.
You need to give your skin time to recover, to avoid an inflammatory reaction to any product you use.
This includes exfoliating and using anti-ageing products for 3 days after threading.
Redness – If you experience redness after threading, wait to see if it subsides within an hour. If it does not, you can place an ice pack over the area to cool it.
You may also use aloe vera or rose water to ease the inflammation and reduce redness.
Avoid the sun – After threading, your skin will be more sensitive to harmful UV rays, so it’s best to avoid direct sunlight for a few hours after the procedure.
Protect your skin with sunscreen. This includes heat sources such as tanning beds, saunas, and hot baths.
Avoid touching the area – It may be tempting to touch the area, but it’s best to avoid doing so for a few hours.
This could cause a transfer of oils from your fingers to your skin, potentially leading to clogged pores. Avoid wearing tight-fitting pants, as this could irritate the skin further.
Avoid shaving – Do not use a razor to remove hair between threading. This could lead to stubble, ingrown hairs, and inflammation that will make the next session of threading difficult.
It is also easier to plan threading sessions if no other hair removal method is used in between.
Related Questions
Does threading reduce hair growth?
Threading does cause a decrease and slowdown of hair growth.
After frequent threading, the hair will grow back thinner, which in turn makes it easier and less painful to remove during subsequent threading sessions.
This is best achieved if threading is the only method of hair removal used and waxing, tweezing, or shaving is not done between threading sessions.
Shaving between threading can cause hair to become coarser, darker, or ingrown.
Does threading last longer than waxing?
Threading allows hair to remain smoother and hair-free for longer.
Waxing lasts longer compared to other hair removal methods, but falls slightly short when compared to threading.
Threading completely removes the hair from the root, whereas waxing can sometimes break the hair, leaving it partially in the follicle.
Does threading hurt?
This is a common question that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.
Threading has been found to be slightly less painful than waxing, as it does not pull at the skin.
However, there is still some pain or an uncomfortable sensation that comes with threading, as the hair is pulled from the follicles, which can be painful.
Does threading damage the skin?
Threading does not damage the skin as much as waxing does, as the skin is not pulled or open to harsh chemicals or heat.
However, the skin will be red and slightly irritated after threading, but this usually does not last long and typically resolves on its own with proper treatment and care.
Threading Leg Hairs
If you have decided that threading is the best hair removal option for you, there is no reason to hesitate to thread your legs.
It allows you to achieve an almost perfect finish, leaving your skin smooth and hair-free for a considerably longer period compared to other hair removal methods.
What is even better is that threading can be done from the comfort of your own home, either using the traditional technique or by using a threading machine, which is relatively inexpensive and can last for many sessions, saving you time and money by avoiding the need to visit a salon every few weeks.
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