Why You Should Learn Threading

There has been an absolute boom in prescription skincare in the last two years. This is one of the unexpected beneficial outcomes of the pandemic, with telehealth providing an opportunity for businesses like QR8 Mediskin and Software to find and serve clients online.

These companies allow you to skip the lengthy and inconvenient process of doctor’s referral and waiting weeks to see dermatologist by providing medical skincare to clients that is quick and easy.

An online consultation appointment is set up online, a script is created based on the consultation and within approximately 5 business days a customised prescription skincare blend arrives by post.

 

Prescription Skincare is active

One of the most common ingredients in prescription skincare is a medical strength retinol which is used for its anti-aging properties. It’s also very successful in clearing up acne and the appearance of the skin. As a medical grade skin care product, it works.

This ingredient, which we are not allowed to publish, makes skin cells less sticky, creating a higher skin turnover. By speeding up the regeneration of skin, it smooths the skin; reducing wrinkles and scarring. In studies it has been found if used long term can, to degree, reverse some of these fine lines and scarring. It also makes the skin thinner and sensitive to heat and sunlight.

You can’t use hot wax or strip wax on skin that is being treated with a retinoid. It’s a contraindication. Waxing brows or any part of the face on a client that is using this product can rip the top layer of the skin off and create skin trauma and potential scarring.

It's a good practice to always check at the beginning of any waxing appointment if your client is using anything on their skin to cause sensitivity, even regular clients!

So, all of a sudden we have a huge amount of clients that are no longer a candidate for waxing. This is why to retain these clients you should be offering threading on your menu.

 

It's too hard to learn

Threading is a treatment that faces a lot of resistance in the industry, with many brow artists sincerely believing “It’s too hard”, “It hurts my hands” and “I just don’t want to learn it”.

There is a learning curve, just like there is with lash extensions, but not nearly as hard and it will help you maintain and even increase your average client spend. You may be surprised how much easier it is to learn and add to your menu than you think. 

 

How to thread

Use both hands for threading. You may have seen brow artists hold the thread in their mouth or around their neck but this is not necessary. Using the both hands is the most hygienic way to thread.

You will work out as you begin to practice how long you personally need the thread to be. Use the length of your arm as a guide so you can measure the same length each time. For me, wrist to shoulder (without it actually touching my body) is the perfect length for me to loop. You may prefer shorter.

Tie off the ends of the thread so it’s now a circle and hold in both forefingers and thumbs. Twist the loop approximately 10 times. It should now look like an angular figure 8.

Take turns opening and closing the forefinger and thumb on each hand keeping the string taut. Observe the connected part that is twisted together run along the string towards one hand to the other depending on which thumb and forefinger you are opening or closing. That’s it. That’s how you remove hair using the threading technique.

 

Find something to practice on

Your leg is a good place to practice on if you have any hair there! It doesn’t matter if the hair is very fine or thick or long or short. Threading can pick it all up. You could also practice on a taut part of your face like the jaw though your actions will be mirrored and this may throw you off a bit at first.

 

Some do’s and don'ts

Skin should be clean and the skin taut. If it is on the part of the body that the skin is loose, thin or soft, it needs to be stretched when you thread that area. NEVER thread under the eyebrows without stretching.

Threading around the brows especially requires cooperation from your client. They will need to stretch the brow up over the brow bone and with their other hand hold the eyelid down. Explain what you need them to do and guide their hands or fingers into position. Reposition where needed as you work along the shape.

Threading can be painful for the client sometimes. The upper lip is particularly sensitive. To reduce discomfort, thread smaller amounts each time you apply the thread rather than threading a long line of hair in one action. Keeping the skin taut will also reduce discomfort. 

 

Repetition is key

Like learning lash extensions, threading requires some practice to become proficient. Practice threading for a few minutes a few times a day for a week or so. Do it when you watch tv or when you get out of the shower. Perhaps a loved one will let you practice on them.

 

Which thread you should use?

You can use any sewing thread. It can be cotton or a cotton polyester blend. The pure cotton will tend to snap more but both will snap at times and it’s simple to pull another loop of thread from the spool and knot it off.

A thinner thread will pick up the shortest of hairs (much better than waxing in fact) but may feel less comfortable on your fingers if you have to do a lot of threading appointments that day. A thicker thread will feel more comfortable on your hands but it is harder to pick up the really short fine hairs.  

 

I’ve practiced, now what? Introducing threading on your menu

Brow threading can be a little intimidating to start offering to clients. Here are some tips to ensure a happy client from the very first appointment.

When you start threading brows on clients avoid threading to shape the brows. Remove hair around the brows as close as you can without touching the border of the shape you want to create then go in with your tweezers and shape. Easy! The pressure is off and you have created amazing brows as usual for your client. Make sure you ask your client to stretch when you need the skin to be taut.

The other areas of the face are much easier to start performing on clients as no shaping is usually required.

 

Threading treatment areas you can offer:

• Eyebrows
• Full Face 
• Sides
• Chin
• Lip
• Neck 

 

The Benefits of Threading as a menu item

• Very low supplies cost per client
• Very low environmental impact
• Retain brow and face waxing clients that have moved to prescription skincare
• Opportunity to add additional items to the menu; jaw, full face, sides, upper lip
• Threading clients are regular bookings and will usually rebook for every 4 weeks