Threading vs Waxing: Which Is Better for Your Brows?
If you’ve ever sat in the chair wondering whether to thread or wax your brows, you’re not alone — it’s one of the questions we’re asked most. Both methods remove hair and shape the brow, but they work in completely different ways, and the right choice really does depend on you.
How each method actually works
Threading uses a single twisted cotton thread rolled across the skin to lift hair straight from the follicle, in clean rows. Waxing applies warm wax that grips the hair — and the top layer of skin — and pulls everything away in one go. That difference, hair-only versus hair-and-skin, is the root of almost every pro and con that follows.
Precision and control
Threading wins on precision. Because the therapist works hair by hair, it’s far easier to follow a natural arch, refine a tail or remove a single stray without disturbing the rest. Wax removes everything inside the strip at once, which is fast but less forgiving — especially while you’re growing a shape out. For detailed brow work, threading gives a cleaner, sharper edge.
Which is gentler on skin
For most people, threading is the gentler option around the eyes. Since it doesn’t pull at the skin, there’s less redness and no risk of the lifting or burns that wax can occasionally cause on that delicate area. If you use retinol, acids or acne medication like Roaccutane, threading is usually the only safe choice — wax can tear sensitised skin.
Speed, longevity and regrowth
Both last a similar length of time — around two to four weeks — and both lead to finer regrowth over months of regular appointments. Waxing can be marginally faster for very full brows, but threading is quick too, usually ten to fifteen minutes. In practice, the time difference is small enough that it shouldn’t be the deciding factor.
So, which should you pick?
If you have sensitive or reactive skin, use active skincare, or want the most precise shape possible, go with threading — it’s our specialty and what we’ve done since 2008. If you simply prefer wax and your skin tolerates it well, that’s a perfectly good option too. Still unsure? Book in, tell your therapist your concerns, and we’ll recommend the right approach for your brows on the day.