Threading Your Legs

This complete guide for threading your legs is for anyone who has ever felt like they can’t get rid of their unwanted hair. If you are tired of shaving, waxing or using depilatory creams that are harsh on your skin then threading could be the answer for you! Threading is an ancient form of hair removal that originated centuries ago in Scandinavia and Asia.

It’s a quick, simple process where cotton threads are twisted together to create thin strands which are used to remove unwanted hairs from the roots without irritating the skin. The best part? There’s no need for any type of cream or lotion afterwards!

What is Threading?

Threading is a hair removal technique that originated in Asia and the Middle East. It involves using twisted pieces of cotton to remove hairs from their roots, leaving your skin smooth for weeks at a time!

Threading can be used on any part of the face where unwanted facial or body hair may grow such as eyebrows, cheekbones, upper lip area and even legs.

Methods for threading

There are two types of threading including traditional and strip.

Traditional threading is when the hair is removed strand by strand from its root, usually with a cotton piece twisted together in order to form a long thin line.
Strip threading on the other hand uses individual strands of waxed or unwaxed floss which is used against the direction of the hair growth in order to remove it.

It is important that you do not wax or pluck your eyebrows as this can lead to thinning and even loss of pigment over time!

Threading your legs is similar to threading the face when it comes to technique.

At home, you can use a clean piece of cotton that has been twisted together with waxed or unwaxed floss in order to remove hairs from leg hair growth patterns including upward and downward.

The most important thing to remember about threading your legs is that you should always use a fresh piece of thread or floss in order to prevent infections or other irritations!

Ways in threading your legs

There are a number of ways you can thread your legs including the following:

U-shaped – This is when there is one string which goes from ankle to toe around the back and around again.
S-shaped – Like traditional threading, this method uses two strings that start on either side of the leg and meet in between towards the ankle.
W-shaped – This method is similar to the U-shape however it begins at the ankle and finishes towards your groin area.

No matter which way you choose, be sure that when threading your legs there are no creases or folds in the skin as this will make for a painful experience!

How to do a proper threading of the legs

The following steps will help you achieve the perfect threading of your legs:

Use a mirror or stand in front of one, this makes it easier to see what you are doing.
Use oil free moisturizer on areas where hair growth is denser such as knees and ankles so that they don’t get caught up by the string resulting in painful pulling.
You can either pull the skin or not, however if you are new to threading then it is best to practice on yourself first without pulling in order to get a feel for how it works. Be sure that your hands are steady and firm but gentle while doing this.
Splotchy patches of redness may result after threading legs which is normal and will usually go away after a few hours however if they don’t then it could be an indication of infection. If this happens, contact your doctor immediately!

Now that you know how to thread your leg hairs, give it a try for yourself at home with these simple instructions!

Other ways for leg hair removal:

Shaving is the quickest way to remove leg hair, but it does not last very long and can cause stubble.
Waxing is a more efficient method, but it too lasts only so long and causes ingrown hairs for some people.
Epilating is another efficient technique, but it takes a long time and might be painful for beginners.

Threading is a great way to remove leg hair, especially if you have very sensitive skin that cannot handle waxing or epilating.

Kinds of threads

There are two kinds of threads which can be used for hair removal, cotton and polyester.

Cotton – Authentic cotton threads are preferable, they can be used multiple times before cooling. Cotton is softer therefore more suitable for sensitive areas (eyebrows and upper lip) while polyester may irritate the skin on sensitive areas or on an irritated skin.
Polyester – Polyester is great for all over hair removal, it is strong therefore more suitable for thick hair. It can be cleaned and reused many times, however it is not as soft as cotton therefore not good for sensitive skin or eyebrows.

Benefits of threading

Less painful than waxing
Longer lasting results than shaving (the hair is removed at the follicle level)
Can be done on all hair and skin types
No chemical usage, hence more natural
More hygienic when done by a professional (a thread is changed after each use which reduces the spread of bacteria)
Reduces ingrown hairs (caused by waxing, shaving)
Improves the appearance of your eyebrows
Can be done at home with practice!

Drawback of threading

Can be time consuming and tedious if not done regularly
More costly than shaving and waxing, but still relatively cheap
Can irritate skin if not done by a professional
Not suitable for large areas of hair removal (back, chest, legs)

Waxing vs. threading

Waxing is more convenient than threading because it can be done on the entire body. Threading only targets specific areas of hair growth so can take longer to do. Waxing lasts longer than threading because it is pulled from the root of the hair.

Threading only pulls from the surface of the hair follicle, so results can vary depending on your growth cycle and how short you go for a threading session.

Shaving vs. threading

Threading is better than shaving in that it removes the hair from the root. Threading lasts longer than shaving because it is pulled from the root, whereas shaving only cuts from the surface of the skin. Shaving can cause “ghost hairs” as it removes hair from just below your skin’s surface.

This means that if you shave, there may be a thin layer of hair left over after it has grown back. Threading can help reduce this problem if you are willing to commit to maintaining your smooth legs.

Epilating vs. threading

Epilating, as many women already know, is a less painful and more accessible alternative to threading. However it takes longer and you will rarely find epilator ‘kits’ that include everything you need (if you want your arms and legs waxed at the same time).

Home epilation is also not advised for beginners – professional waxing is usually done with thinner layers of wax which will be less painful for your skin. Starting on thicker epilation kits can result in hair breakage, ingrown hairs and scarring.

How long does it take to remove leg hair using a thread?

It will take around 10 to 20 minutes. Your speed and strength will increase the more you do it so after a few sessions you should find it easier and faster than before.

You can opt to use one thread for your face and another for your legs if you feel like doing both at once would be too much of a hassle. But, you will need to clean the threads in between.

Most salons use a threading machine for faster and easier hair removal. If you’re going to be doing this on a regular basis then I would recommend buying one of these machines to make it quicker and easier while ensuring that all hairs are being removed properly.

Problems of threading your legs

While threading your thighs can be a very efficient way of removing hair, it will not necessarily reduce the amount you grow back. This is why it’s important to incorporate other removal methods such as waxing and trimming between shaping sessions to clear all the hairs on your leg.

If you’re worried about pain during threading or irritation afterwards, remember to exfoliate your skin before you start threading. Also keep hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day

Careful of over-threading

Over-threading is threaded too much which can cause breakouts and even infections if your skin is very sensitive. You should be gentle when threading this area of the face to prevent discomfort.

Threads are used to remove unwanted facial hair in a precise manner so it’s crucial that you know how long your hairs have been growing in order to get rid of them completely. Not doing so can result in patches of hair on the skin.

Conclusion

Threading your legs can be done in an efficient manner if you pair it with other hair removal methods. Waxing is definitely more effective, but threading is less expensive and painless if done properly.

If you have sensitive skin, do not over-thread to avoid breakouts or irritation of the skin caused by bacteria on the thread. Be careful to thread your legs in the correct direction and exfoliate well before you start if you are worried about discomfort during or after the process.