Many people deal with unwanted hair. While some embrace it, others try and find different ways to remove it and achieve a smooth and soft result.
While hair removal is a completely personal choice, we understand how frustrating it can be not know where to start.
Unless you’re opting for something like laser hair removal, the hair will eventually grow back. Whether you want to get rid of facial or body hair, it’s natural to wonder what the best route is.
While there’s a lot of information online about waxing vs. threading, there are few comparisons on other methods. You may be left feeling overwhelmed.
So, which is better cream hair removal or threading? We will break this down for you in the guide below, in which we will cover the different types of hair removal, the advantages and disadvantages of both hair removal cream and threading, and how to go about removing your hair once you’ve made a decision.
Types of Hair Removal
While we will mainly focus on which is better cream hair removal or threading, it’s important to know that these aren’t the only hair removal options you have.
There are numerous hair removal options out there, and not every method is suited to every skin type, pain threshold, or budget. Read about the different hair removal methods below.
Shaving
Shaving is one of the most popular hair removal methods out there because it’s quick, easy, and pain-free for the most part. Men and women worldwide use razors and shaving cream or shaving gel to remove unwanted hair.
However, while shaving is easy and requires very little time, it should be noted that it can cause ingrown hair, especially in areas like the pubic region.
Waxing
Despite being messy and painful, waxing is a popular hair removal method used globally. It can be done at home by yourself or at a salon and has long-lasting results.
Hard, soft, and sugar wax are all used to remove excess hair from larger and smaller areas of the body and the face.
That being said, waxing isn’t suitable for everyone. For example, it isn’t recommended for those who take Accutane or use prescription retinoids like tretinoin.
Electrolysis
This involves using tiny needles with electric currents in the hair follicle. While galvanic hair removal destroys the hair follicle chemically, thermolytic removal does so via heat.
Epilating
Epilating devices use a host of tweezers to remove rows of hair in one go. These devices are hailed for being easy to use, beginner-friendly, and affordable. Epilation is also known for its long-lasting results.
Laser Hair Removal
This is the longest-lasting hair removal method and is often referred to as “permanent hair removal” because of how much it reduces hair growth.
Laser hair removal involves using a laser beam or light pulse to destroy hair follicles. However, it’s expensive, time-consuming, requires professional services, and is only effective on dark hair.
Plucking or Tweezing
Plucking or tweezing can be painful, but it’s great for precision work. It involves using a tweezer to painstakingly remove individual hair strands and is often used to remove stray hair or clean up eyebrows.
Unfortunately, it isn’t suitable for larger areas like arms and legs because it can cause both ingrown hair and scarring.
Threading
This ancient hair removal technique originated in Asia but is now taking the Western world by storm. It involves doubling thread made of cotton or polyester to pull, twist, and remove hair strands from their follicles.
It’s essentially plucking, but on a larger scale since it can remove entire rows of hair in a single twist.
While the method is primarily used to shape brows, it’s also often used all over the face, including to remove hair from the upper lip area, cheeks, chin, sideburns, and forehead.
Hair Removal Cream/Depilatory Cream
These creams are available over the counter and use chemicals to dissolve the hair on your skin.
Chemicals such as titanium dioxide, sodium, and barium sulfide break down the disulfide bonds in the hair and allow it to be weak enough to either be wiped off or rinsed off.
While they’re commonly referred to as hair removal creams, they come in other forms like lotions and gels, with different kinds of hair removal creams being used for the face and body.
Threading vs. Hair Removal Cream
Which is better cream hair removal or threading? Both hair removals have their unique advantages and disadvantages, which we’re going to go through below.
Read this list to know which hair removal method most closely aligns with what you’re looking for and can best serve your needs.
Advantages of Threading
Threading has been popular in the East for centuries and is becoming increasingly popular in Western countries because of its many advantages.
Precise
The main advantage of threading and the reason it’s used to shape brows is that it’s extremely precise.
You can control which strands of hair to remove and what to keep in place, making the results as specific as you want.
Threading is popular because it has the precision of plucking without being too slow or harsh on your skin.
Suitable for All People
One of the biggest advantages of threading is that it’s suitable for everyone. This safe and effective hair removal method can be used on all hair colors and skin types and is great for sensitive skin or dry skin. It’s also suitable for all budgets since it’s affordable since all you need is the thread.
Long-Lasting Results
Threading removes hair from the root and thus, lasts for a long period of time compared to methods like shaving and hair removal cream. If done correctly, results can last anywhere from four to six weeks.
No Preparation and Minimal Hair Growth
The only preparation involved in threading is growing your hair and making sure you have thread on your hands.
Waxing may involve heating up, and epilation may require frequent exfoliation, but threading needs minimal preparation and is easily completed in less than half an hour.
In addition to being extremely sanitary, threading also doesn’t require a lot of hair growth.
Sugaring requires at least 1/8 inch, waxing requires ½ inch, and epilating requires ¼ inch of hair growth.
Threading only requires 1/16th of an inch of hair growth, and individuals don’t have to go long periods without grooming.
Low-Risk, Lack of Side Effects
Threading is a low-risk hair removal method since it has almost no side effects. In fact, apart from some discomfort and redness, there are no major concerns regarding it.
This is one of the main reasons it is so popular among those with sensitive skin and acne.
Methods like waxing can further irritate sensitive skin and cause rashes because they remove excess skin cells. This isn’t an issue with threading.
Sanitary
The only thing that touches the skin during threading is the thread itself. Since the thread is used only one time and thrown away afterwards, the entire process is sanitary.
Hair removal methods like waxing may cause you to worry about practices like double-dipping, but this isn’t a problem you have to face with threading.
Also don’t forget to checkout what does a hair removal cream do?
Disadvantages of Threading
Despite its many advantages, threading has some cons, including requiring expertise and not being appropriate for large body areas like arms and legs.
Not Suitable for Large Areas
Unfortunately, threading can only be used on facial hair or smaller areas. In addition to causing ingrown hair and scarring to larger areas, it would be extremely time-consuming and inefficient.
Specific Technique Required
While everyone can tweeze and shave, this cannot be said for threading. Threading requires a specific technique that may be difficult to learn in the beginning. That’s why most people go to salons instead of doing it on their own.
Improper Technique and Irritation
While threading doesn’t irritate the skin when done properly, doing it incorrectly can cause irritation.
For example, if you don’t pull the skin taut, you may accidentally fold the skin, causing pain. Going over the same area multiple times can also cause redness and irritation.
It’s Difficult to Groom Yourself
Threading isn’t a salon-only hair removal method like laser hair removal. You can do it at home, and it can be done by you if you’re experienced.
However, it’s difficult to groom yourself. While you might be able to use a mirror and remove hair from areas like your upper lip, this isn’t always possible for areas like your chin or for grooming your eyebrows properly.
Advantages of Hair Removal Cream
Threading isn’t an option for everyone, and some prefer to use hair removal methods like depilatory creams to get rid of excess hair. These have a number of advantages.
Affordable and Convenient
Depilatory creams are more affordable than waxing and are easily accessible in most countries in supermarkets and drugstores.
They’re not as affordable as thread, but they’re cheaper than going to a salon to get professionally threaded.
Quick and Easy to Use
Many people prefer hair removal creams because they’re so easy to use. All you have to do is follow the directions on the box and apply the product for the period instructed.
After that, all that’s left to do is rinse the product off, and you’re left with silky-smooth skin.
Suitable for Larger Areas
Unlike threading, which is restricted to facial hair and smaller areas, hair removal creams are suitable for larger areas such as arms, legs, and backs.
However, this doesn’t mean they can’t be used on smaller areas. There are many depilatory creams formulated to be used on sensitive areas like the face.
Disadvantages of Hair Removal Cream
Hair removal creams are notorious for their foul odor and the irritation they cause. The following are some of the disadvantages of using depilatory creams.
Irritating
While the chemicals used in hair removal creams are generally safe, they can cause allergies and be irritating.
For example, leaving the cream on for too long can burn your skin. Even if you leave it on as directed by the instructions, those with sensitive skin may still experience redness and irritation. That’s why patch tests are a must with hair removal creams.
Messy
While hair removal creams are easy to do in the bathroom, this mess isn’t suitable for other areas. It’s not something you can do on the go, and it’s definitely not a hair removal method that doesn’t involve cleanup.
Not As Long-Lasting
While using hair removal creams may last longer than shaving, this depilatory method doesn’t hold a candle to methods like threading that remove the hair from the root.
Lack of Precision
Hair removal creams can be used on both the face and the body. However, just because they can be used on areas like the upper lip doesn’t mean they’re precise.
While threading can remove the hair selected, you can’t make such a distinction with hair removal creams. Therefore, they’re not suitable for precision work like shaping eyebrows.
Foul Odor
A lot of people refuse to use hair removal creams because of the foul odor they emit when working. While newer formulations have tried to mask the chemicals’ smell, some formulas are smellier than others.
What to Know Before Threading
We would recommend going to a salon and finding an esthetician or other trained professional to perform threading.
Going to someone who isn’t a professional or doing it at home without practicing first can result in side effects, redness, irritation, pulled skin, and pain.
Unless you’re looking for uneven eyebrows and irritation, stick to professionals or those with plenty of experience.
It should be noted that areas with active acne shouldn’t be threaded. You can either thread around the acne or skip the area altogether.
Just don’t use the thread on pimples since it can cause them to rupture and may result in scarring.
Final Thoughts
Therefore, if you’re wondering which is better cream hair removal or threading, the answer depends on the area you’re waxing, your preference for how long-lasting the result is, the risk of side effects, and more. Hopefully, this guide helped you reach the right conclusion.