The best thread to use for threading eyebrows is any thread made from 100% cotton. Not only is cotton gentle on the skin, but it also manages to grip and pull on short hairs that other materials wouldn’t be able to do. For the best results, you should pair cotton thread with tweezers.
The rest of this article will discuss why a cotton thread is the best one to use for threading eyebrows. It will also discuss other thread types and teach you how to thread your eyebrows using cotton.
Why Is Cotton Thread the Best for Threading Eyebrows?
Cotton thread is the best for threading eyebrows because it is a safe, natural material that won’t cause significant skin irritation. A cotton thread can grip the shortest of hairs and pull them right out, which is why it is the most popular material for threading.
Cotton thread comes from the cotton plant, so it’s the most natural thread you can use for your eyebrows. Cotton biodegrades relatively quickly because of its plant-based origins, making it an eco-friendly choice.
Cotton is not just the best material for eyebrow thread. It’s also a prevalent material in clothing because of its breathability. It absorbs moisture and sweat while allowing the skin to breathe simultaneously, so you can imagine why it is also a good choice for eyebrow threading.
Does Cotton Eyebrow Thread Irritate the Skin?
Cotton eyebrow thread doesn’t irritate the skin, but it is possible to experience short-term irritation after threading. Irritation is a normal reaction and should go away within a day of the threading. Redness, slight burning sensations, and mild bumps skin are all common immediately after threading.
Let’s not forget that the skin in the eyebrow region is delicate, so it’s easy for it to get irritated. It’s not just threading that may cause some slight irritation – waxing and tweezing can, too.
You may experience one or more of the following after threading your eyebrows with cotton thread:
- Redness around the brows
- A few small bumps
- A very slight burn in the threaded area
- Slight dryness
To avoid or treat irritation after threading with cotton (or any other material), you should apply ice to the affected area. Icing will help soothe the skin and cool it down since it will numb the area and reduce swelling.
You should also apply a moisturizer that is suitable for sensitive skin. Alternatively, you can use aloe vera if you have any.
Try not to touch your eyebrow area too much with your bare hands unless you apply moisturizer or ice. That’s because touching the site with your dry hands can further irritate your eyebrow region and slow healing.
Can You Use Polyester Thread for Threading Eyebrows?
You can use polyester thread for threading eyebrows, but 100% cotton thread is better. Polyester is more likely to irritate the skin because it isn’t as soft as cotton. Additionally, it won’t grip the hairs as well as cotton thread (particularly the shorter hairs).
Since polyester is a synthetic fiber, it is more likely to irritate the skin. These fibers aren’t as breathable as natural fibers and don’t absorb moisture too well. That’s not to say it will irritate everyone’s skin, but there is a higher chance that you’ll experience discomfort.
That said, polyester thread does work for eyebrow threading and can get the job done pretty quickly. It just isn’t as efficient as cotton,
So, if all you have is polyester, you can certainly use it to thread your eyebrows. The worst that can happen is it won’t pull all the hairs out, or it may give you some irritation.
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Can You Use Sewing Thread for Threading Eyebrows?
You can use sewing thread for threading eyebrows if it is 100% cotton. If it isn’t, it may not be able to grip and remove the hairs. Sewing thread comes in different materials, so be sure to choose a sewing thread made of cotton for threading your eyebrows.
There are many sewing threads to choose from, including:
- Linen. Linen is still and isn’t very elastic, making it a poor choice for threading.
- Polyester. Synthetic and can irritate the skin.
- Nylon. Synthetic and can irritate the skin.
- Silk. Silk is a natural fiber and is soft, but it won’t grip the hairs as well as cotton will.
- Wool. Wool won’t latch onto hairs well, so you shouldn’t use it for threading.
- Cotton. Cotton is natural and non-irritating. It is perfect for threading and the most popular choice.
So, you should always use cotton thread for eyebrow threading!
Can You Use Floss to Thread Eyebrows?
You can’t use floss to thread eyebrows. Most dental floss is synthetic nylon. Because of this, you should avoid using dental floss to prevent irritation. Additionally, floss won’t get as close to the hair as cotton thread, so you won’t get the best results.
If you’re stuck, you could use dental floss to thread your eyebrows, and it may work well for you. However, it’s not the best choice, and there are better materials out there. That’s because nylon is a slick material, and your hair may slide out from the floss. In addition, nylon can irritate or burn your skin if you use it for threading.
There’s a Reason Why Most Professionals Use Cotton Thread
If you go to any beauty salon and ask what thread they use, there’s a high chance they’ll tell you they use 100% cotton thread. That isn’t because it’s the easiest or cheapest thread to find. Of course, the price of the string may play into the decision, but it mostly boils down to how well the material works.
Cotton is a strong, robust fiber that can effortlessly grab hairs and pull them out from the roots. That is why it has been so popular in the eyebrow threading world for years now, and it is why most beauty professionals use nothing other than 100% cotton thread.
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Should You Reuse Thread for Eyebrows?
You shouldn’t reuse thread for eyebrows because you’ll risk spreading bacteria or infection. After using a piece, you should dispose of it. Additionally, the reused thread won’t be as strong as it once was, so you wouldn’t get the best results if you decided to use it again.
There is no need to reuse thread. It is generally inexpensive, and a roll should last you months, if not years, as long as you only use it for threading your eyebrows.
Since the thread comes into direct contact with your skin, it can get soiled with blood or any bacteria. Using it again, you’ll risk spreading that bacteria near your eye, which could potentially lead to eye irritation or infection.
The eye area is one of the thinnest and most delicate areas on the body, so it’s essential to keep it away from potential bacteria.
The Best Cotton Thread for Eyebrows
The best cotton thread for eyebrows is any thread that is 100% cotton and doesn’t contain any other materials, synthetic or not.
An example of an excellent cotton thread for eyebrows is this 100% cotton thread, found on Amazon.
My recommended type is made explicitly for threading eyebrows and facial hair, so it’s one of the safest ones you can find. Since you get two spools in the pack, it should last a very long time.
If you’re looking for a long-term supply (something that should last years), you could consider a multipack, like this one. Since this one comes with a large number of spools, you shouldn’t have to repurchase more threads for a very long time.
And, of course, it’s made of cotton, so it’s highly suitable for eyebrow threading!
How to Thread Eyebrows with Cotton Thread
To thread eyebrows with cotton thread, you should clean the area first. Then, you should cut the thread and loop it, making a knot. Twist it a few times and place your thumb and index finger inside the loop. Then, you can begin threading your eyebrows.
Now, let’s take a deeper look at how to thread your eyebrows with cotton thread:
- Clean the area. Clean your eyebrow area before beginning. It’s always important to start with a clean, fresh canvas to avoid infection or any small bits of dust getting in the way.
- Cut the thread. Make sure to cut the cotton thread to about 10 inches (25.4 cm) long. It must be long enough. Otherwise, you won’t have a good grip, making the process more difficult.
- Loop the thread. You should loop the cotton thread and knot it so that it’s in the shape of a circle.
- Cross it over a few times. Cross the thread multiple times; it should look like an X shape.
- Start threading. Place thumbs, index fingers, and middle fingers on both ends of the cotton thread loops, and start pulling out those hairs. It should look like a scissor motion with your fingers.
It can be hard to understand how to thread without seeing the visuals, so be sure to check out the tutorial below to get an even better understanding:
Don’t Thread too Close to the Eyebrows
In a split second, things can go wrong with threading. One minute, you have your entire eyebrow, and the next, hairs have been ripped out accidentally.
It’s generally easier to thread the top parts of the eyebrows than the bottom. When working from the bottom, be careful not to go too close to the brow itself. Using tweezers for hard-to-reach areas is a safer option and will prevent you from losing half your eyebrow!
Even if you remove one wrong strand of hair, your whole face can change. So, always be extra diligent when threading close to the brows.
After Care
When using cotton thread for threading eyebrows, you shouldn’t experience much irritation, and your eyebrows should look amazing! However, it is always good to care for the area after you’ve finished, which will prevent any irritation from occurring.
As I mentioned earlier, you should use a light moisturizer or aloe vera after threading your eyebrows. Moisturizing will help soothe and protect the area, and it should help with any redness you have.
Is Threading Eyebrows Safe?
Threading eyebrows is safe, and it’s better than many other hair removal methods. It’s safer than waxing because waxing removes skin along with hair, whereas threading only removes the hair. Tweezing can give way to ingrown hairs, but these are less likely to occur with threading.
So, not only is threading eyebrows extremely safe, but it’s also a better method than most others.
Waxing, for example, uses chemicals. If you have sensitive skin, these chemicals can irritate your skin, giving you a rash. On the other hand, threading is an entirely natural process (assuming you use cotton thread), so there’s less chance of irritation from chemicals.
Threading is also better than hair removal cream. Since hair removal cream uses chemicals and acids to remove the hair, such as thioglycolic acid, it can burn the skin. Not only that, but hair removal cream generally doesn’t give you results that last as long as threading.
Threading pulls the hair deep from the root, whereas hair removal cream doesn’t get that deep.
Plucking with tweezers is a safe way to remove eyebrow hairs, and many people like to use this method in combination with threading. This way, you can shape your eyebrows and remove most of the hair with a thread, and then you can remove the remaining stubborn hairs with tweezers.
Conclusion
The best thread to use for threading eyebrows is cotton. You should always use cotton thread when threading your eyebrows since it will grip the hair well and be gentle on your skin.
Some other essential things to remember:
- Slight irritation is typical after threading, even when using 100% cotton.
- You may need to use tweezers to pluck stubborn hairs or hairs too close to the brow.
- You can use threads other than cotton, but they likely won’t work as well.
- Threading with cotton is generally safer and better than waxing and hair removal cream.
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Anne James has a wealth of experience in a wide array of interests and is an expert in quilting, cooking, gardening, camping, mixing drinks (worked as a professional bartender), and making jelly.
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