Origins, Principles, and Benefits of Traditional Facial Threading! Threading vs. Laser Hair Removal – Which is Better?

Facial threading is a traditional beauty technique that still has many loyal supporters in Hong Kong today. Beyond simply removing facial hair, traditional threading can also help whiten and smooth the skin while minimizing pores. But how exactly does threading work? And is it suitable for everyone?

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What is Threading? Where Did It Come From?

Threading is an ancient Chinese beauty practice with a long history, known by many names such as “Jiao Mian”, “Wan Mian”, and “Tan Mao Zai”.

For centuries, in certain rural areas of China, threading was considered a key pre-wedding ritual for brides-to-be. Every woman would have her face threaded at least once in her life—on her wedding day. This pre-wedding threading tradition, also called “Opening the Face”, was believed to make the bride’s skin smoother and more radiant while also bringing good luck. Many regions still preserve this custom today.

In recent years, as the beauty trend shifts toward embracing natural looks, traditional threading has made a comeback and become a popular treatment in Hong Kong’s beauty scene. Many salons now offer “Ancient Method Threading” as part of their services.

The principle of threading is simple: using mechanical force to pluck hair from the roots. A skilled threading practitioner uses a special technique, maneuvering a cotton thread with both hands and mouth to form a loop. This thread is placed tightly against the skin, and as it is pulled across the face, it removes fine hair along with trapped dirt and dead skin cells—resulting in cleaner pores, smoother skin, and a brighter complexion.

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4 Benefits of Threading

Threading has been gaining popularity among women, and here’s why it stands out from other facial hair removal methods:

1. Quick Hair Removal

Threading uses cotton thread, manipulated by both hands and mouth, to glide over the skin and remove hair efficiently. The results are fast—most sessions take just a few minutes. Because the entire hair follicle is removed, regrowth tends to be finer and softer over time, not thicker.

2. Better Makeup Application

For women with naturally thicker facial hair, makeup may not adhere smoothly. Threading removes hair from the root, leaving skin silky and even—making foundation apply more seamlessly and reducing the risk of makeup caking or melting off.

3. Affordable Price

A threading session typically costs only HK$50–100. Even with biweekly treatments, the monthly expense is just a few hundred dollars—far cheaper than many facial hair removal options that can cost thousands. It’s a budget-friendly beauty routine, even for fresh graduates or those watching their spending.

4. Brightening and Smoothing

Threading not only removes facial hair but also clears excess oil, dead skin, and keratin buildup—keeping pores unclogged. As skin’s natural renewal cycle restores balance, it appears smoother, firmer, and more radiant. Skincare products also absorb better, and threading can help with mild whitening and spot-reduction effects.

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Drawbacks of Threading

While threading offers many benefits, it’s not without downsides:

1. Pain During the Process

Threading pulls hair from the root, so some discomfort is inevitable—especially on sensitive areas like the upper lip. Even with a highly skilled practitioner, those with low pain tolerance may find their eyes watering.

2. Risk of Skin Irritation

Like other hair removal methods, threading can irritate the skin, potentially causing redness, dryness, or breakouts. If your skin is prone to sensitivity, think twice before trying it.

3. Hair Appearing Thicker

Some notice regrowth feels thicker after threading. This is because coarser hairs may sprout first, while finer ones take longer—creating the impression of darker, denser hair.

4. Temporary Results

Threading removes the whole hair follicle, so results last longer than shaving, but hair will still grow back. Regular maintenance is required.

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Who Should Avoid Threading?

Although threading is affordable and effective, it’s not suitable for everyone. You should avoid threading if you fall into these categories:

1. People with Warts

Dermatologists warn that warts are caused by viruses that can spread via the thread during treatment, potentially worsening the condition.

2. Those with Eczema or Sensitive Skin

The pulling motion of threading can thin the skin’s protective layer and reduce moisture retention, making irritation, redness, or flare-ups more likely for those with preexisting skin conditions.

3. Skin with Open Wounds or Acne

If you have active acne or small open wounds, threading can aggravate inflammation and worsen breakouts.

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Threading Process

The tools are simple—just two items:

1. Begonia Powder (also known as “Qijie Powder”)
2. A strong, durable thread

Begonia powder looks similar to flour but is much finer and has a light fragrance. It helps absorb excess oil and makes facial hair more visible, making the threading process easier.

Step-by-Step:

1. The practitioner evenly applies Begonia powder to the client’s face.
2. One end of the thread is held in the mouth, while the hands shape it into two triangles.
3. The pointed part of the triangle, guided by mouth movements, glides across the skin, pulling hairs out from the root.

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Comparison of Other Common Facial Hair Removal Methods!

Every woman wants to quickly say goodbye to facial hair. In addition to threading, there are several other common facial hair removal methods:

Method 1: Razor

Using a razor is often the very first method women try. There are various razors on the market specifically for hair removal. You just need to gently shave the areas with more hair to remove it. However, razor blades are sharp, so be careful to avoid cuts. Razor hair removal is not permanent, and facial hair may even grow back thicker.

Method 2: Hair Removal Cream

Hair removal cream is gentler than razors and contains alkaline ingredients that dissolve hair. Simply apply it to the desired area, wait a while, and rinse off with warm water to remove the hair. Some creams are specially formulated for the face, but hair will still grow back eventually.

Method 3: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Hair Removal

Before laser hair removal became popular, IPL was widely used. The principle involves using multiple wavelengths of light energy, which penetrate the skin and are absorbed by hemoglobin, heating the hair follicles to slow hair growth. Because IPL uses a broader spectrum, it can also help with skin whitening, pore refinement, and overall skin rejuvenation.

Method 4: Laser Hair Removal

Currently the most effective and popular hair removal method, laser facial hair removal uses the principle of melanin absorbing heat. The laser’s high-energy light targets and is absorbed by the hair’s melanin, converting light energy into heat to destroy the hair follicle and inhibit growth. Usually, 4–6 sessions are enough to achieve permanent hair removal.

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Threading vs. Laser Hair Removal – Which Is More Effective?

Threading not only removes facial hair but also exfoliates dead skin cells and removes dirt, keeping pores clear and aiding skin’s natural detox process. However, in terms of lasting results, threading is weaker—it only “twists off” hair from the surface without damaging the follicle, so hair grows back after a while.

Laser hair removal, on the other hand, is precise, fast, and truly permanent. The laser wavelength targets coarse, dark hair without harming surrounding skin, completing the entire treatment safely and effectively—allowing you to say a real goodbye to facial hair.

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Afraid Threading Hurts or Causes Allergies? Time to Say Goodbye to Facial Hair for Good!

Don’t want your skin to turn red or swollen after threading? Can’t tolerate the pain? Tired of the endless cycle of hair removal? Permanent removal is the solution!

The Perfect Medical A3 Laser Hair Removal Treatment uses a built-in dual cooling system to provide painless hair removal and instant comfort. It can remove up to 500 hairs per second, with energy that penetrates deep into the follicles to destroy their growth ability—effectively eliminating unwanted facial hair.

The treatment is safe for all skin tones, and the cooling technology prevents redness or discomfort, leaving your skin smooth and clear.

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