Is Facial Threading Bad for the Skin? What You Need to Know Before Trying It

Facial threading is one of the oldest hair removal methods still in use today - dating back thousands of years in South Asia and the Middle East. Unlike waxing or laser, it uses a thin cotton thread to pluck hair directly from the follicle. It’s popular for shaping eyebrows, removing upper lip hair, and cleaning up sideburns. But with all the buzz around it, people are asking: is facial threading bad for the skin? The answer isn’t simple. For some, it’s gentle and precise. For others, it causes redness, irritation, or even breaks the skin. What matters most is your skin type, the technician’s skill, and how you care for your skin afterward.

How Facial Threading Actually Works

Threading doesn’t use heat, chemicals, or wax. Instead, a skilled practitioner twists a cotton thread between their fingers and rolls it over the skin. The thread traps hairs and pulls them out at the root. It’s like tweezing, but faster - and it can remove dozens of hairs in seconds. Because it targets individual hairs, it’s great for shaping eyebrows with sharp, clean lines. You can get your upper lip done in under five minutes.

Unlike waxing, which removes hair along with the top layer of dead skin, threading only grabs the hair. That’s why many people think it’s gentler. But here’s the catch: it still pulls hair out by the root. That means your follicles are being disturbed, and your skin is being stretched and tugged. If done poorly, it can cause micro-tears, ingrown hairs, or even small cuts.

Who Should Avoid Facial Threading

Not everyone is a good candidate for threading. If you have any of these conditions, you’re at higher risk for complications:

• Active acne - Threading over inflamed pimples can spread bacteria and cause more breakouts.
• Very sensitive or reactive skin - Rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis can flare up after threading.
• Recent chemical peels or retinoid use - If you’ve used retinol, tretinoin, or glycolic acid in the last 48 hours, your skin is thinner and more fragile.
• Open wounds or sunburn - Don’t thread over damaged skin. It will hurt more and heal slower.
• History of keloid scarring - Your skin may over-heal and form raised scars after trauma.

One 2021 study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology tracked 120 women who got regular eyebrow threading. About 22% reported temporary redness lasting more than 24 hours. Eight percent developed small pustules or folliculitis - tiny infected bumps - within a week. These cases were almost always linked to unsterile tools or untrained technicians.

Why Threading Can Be Safer Than Waxing

Compared to waxing, threading has some real advantages. Wax removes a layer of skin along with the hair. That’s why you often see redness, peeling, or stinging after waxing your upper lip. Threading doesn’t do that. It’s also better for people who use retinoids or are on acne treatments like Accutane - which make skin more sensitive to waxing.

Threading also doesn’t involve heat. Hot wax can burn the skin if it’s too warm. Threading is cool and dry. And since it’s more precise, you’re less likely to accidentally remove hair from areas you didn’t mean to - like the bridge of your nose or the edge of your cheek.

For people with fine hair, threading is often the only method that works well. Waxing can struggle with very light or short hairs. Threading grabs them easily. That’s why it’s the go-to for eyebrow shaping in many salons across India, Pakistan, and the Middle East.

The Real Risks: Infection, Ingrown Hairs, and Skin Trauma

When done right, threading is low-risk. But bad practices are common - especially in places where regulation is loose. Here are the biggest problems:

• Unsterilized thread - Some salons reuse thread or don’t change it between clients. That’s a direct path for bacteria like staph or strep.
• Dirty hands - Technicians who don’t wash their hands or wear gloves can transfer germs.
• Over-threading - Too much pressure or repeated passes on the same spot can cause bruising or broken capillaries.
• Ingrown hairs - If the hair breaks off below the skin instead of being fully pulled out, it can grow inward. This leads to red bumps and sometimes infection.
• Allergic reactions - Some technicians use talcum powder or antiseptic sprays that irritate sensitive skin.

One woman in Chicago reported a severe staph infection after getting her eyebrows threaded at a mall kiosk. The thread was reused from a previous client. She needed antibiotics and missed two weeks of work. That’s rare - but it happens.

How to Make Threading Safer for Your Skin

If you still want to try threading, here’s how to reduce your risk:

1. Choose a licensed salon - Look for places that specialize in threading, not just beauty salons that offer it as an add-on.
2. Watch the thread - Ask to see a fresh, clean strand before they start. It should be single-use and discarded after each client.
3. Ask about hygiene - Do they wash hands? Use gloves? Sanitize tools? If they hesitate, walk out.
4. Don’t go right after exfoliating - Skip scrubs, acids, or retinol for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
5. Don’t touch your face afterward - Your hands carry bacteria. Avoid rubbing or picking at the area.
6. Use a soothing cream - Apply aloe vera or calendula gel after threading to calm redness.
7. Wait 24 hours before makeup - Especially foundation or powder near the threaded area. Clogged pores can lead to breakouts.

Some people swear by applying ice right after threading to reduce swelling. Others use a cold chamomile tea bag - it’s natural, anti-inflammatory, and easy to find.

Threading vs. Waxing vs. Tweezing: What’s Best for You?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the three most common methods:

Threading wins for precision. Waxing wins for speed on larger areas. Tweezing wins for safety and control - but it’s slow. If you have sensitive skin and want clean brows, threading is often the best middle ground - if you find a good technician.

What Happens If You Thread Too Often?

Threading every two weeks might seem like a good idea to stay smooth. But your skin doesn’t like constant trauma. Repeated pulling can weaken the follicles over time. In some cases, hair grows back finer and sparser - which sounds good, but can also lead to patchy growth.

More importantly, frequent threading can stretch the skin around the eyes and lips. That’s why some people who thread their eyebrows daily for years end up with loose, saggy skin in that area. Dermatologists recommend spacing sessions at least four weeks apart. Let your skin recover. Let your hair grow back to a length where threading is effective - about 1/8 inch.

When to Stop Threading Altogether

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to stop and switch methods:

• Redness that lasts more than 48 hours
• Repeated breakouts in the threaded area
• Dark spots or hyperpigmentation after healing
• Thickened or scarred skin
• Constant itching or burning

These aren’t normal side effects. They’re warning signs your skin can’t handle threading anymore. Switch to tweezing, or try a gentle depilatory cream designed for sensitive skin. Laser hair removal is another long-term option - but only if your skin tone and hair color are compatible.

Final Verdict: Is Facial Threading Bad for the Skin?

Facial threading isn’t inherently bad - but it’s not risk-free. It’s a tool, not a miracle. Done well, it’s precise, chemical-free, and gentle on sensitive skin. Done poorly, it can cause infection, scarring, or long-term damage.

If you have normal to oily skin, no active acne, and you find a skilled, clean technician, threading can be a great option. But if your skin is reactive, you’re using strong skincare products, or you’ve had bad reactions before, skip it. There are safer alternatives.

Remember: your skin is your largest organ. Treat it with care - not just with what you put on it, but with how you remove hair from it. A little patience goes a long way.