Published on: 19 June 2025
Threading is a popular hair removal method known for its precision, but it can sometimes be uncomfortable or even painful, especially for those with sensitive skin.
To make threading a more pleasant experience, it’s important to follow some simple yet effective tips that can reduce discomfort and protect the skin. Therefore:
To make eyebrow threading hurt less:
- Drink water to keep the skin hydrated and supple.
- Exfoliate the eyebrows to remove dead skin cells for smoother threading.
- Skip makeup to prevent clogged pores and reduce irritation.
- Avoid stimulating treatments to protect the skin from extra sensitivity.
- Avoid harsh skincare products to maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
- Trim Long eyebrow hairs to ensure an even and painless threading process.
- Rube the bridge vigorously to desensitize the area for less discomfort.
- Use talcum powder to reduce moisture and prevent tugging.
- Chewing the gum to distract the mind and eases pain perception.
- Hold the skin tight to allow cleaner and quicker hair removal.
- Thread in the direction of hair growth to lessen resistance and pain.
- Numb with ice to temporarily dulls the skin’s nerve endings.
- Moisturize the skin to soothe and repair after threading.
- Apply a cooling lotion to calm redness and irritation.
- Apply a mineral mask refreshe and restore the skin barrier.
- Apply a mud mask to cool the skin post-threading.
- Apply alum to tighten pores.
- Minimize sun exposure to protect sensitive freshly threaded skin.
Stay tuned as we explain each tip in detail, helping you enjoy a smoother, less painful threading experience. Your perfect, irritation-free brows are just a few steps away!
Does Getting Your Eyebrows Threaded Hurt?
Yes, eyebrow threading does cause a mild level of pain because it removes hair directly from the follicle using a twisted cotton thread. The discomfort is usually described as a sharp, quick sting that lasts for some time.
Since the skin around the eyebrows is thin and sensitive, especially for first-timers or those with coarse hair, the sensation may feel more intense initially. However, the pain is temporary and tends to reduce over time with regular sessions, as hair becomes finer and easier to remove.
Factors such as skin type, hydration, and the threader’s technique can also influence how painful the experience feels.
Why Does Threading Hurt So Much?
Threading hurts because it pulls multiple hairs directly from the root at once, stimulating nerve endings in the sensitive facial skin. The skin around the eyebrows is particularly thin and contains supraorbital nerve branches, which makes it more reactive to even light pressure.
Threading also disturbs the follicle and causes micro-trauma to the surrounding skin, resulting in a quick, sharp sting. If the skin is dry, inflamed, or recently exfoliated, the pain can feel even more intense.
Inexperienced threading technique, lack of skin stretching, or threading against the direction of hair growth also increases discomfort during the process.
Home service threading in Dubai, performed by an experienced technician, can greatly reduce discomfort caused by improper technique or lack of threading expertise.
How Long Does Eyebrow Threading Hurt?
Eyebrow threading typically causes pain only during the procedure itself, and the discomfort fades almost immediately afterward. Most people feel a sharp sting or pinch with each pull, but the sensation stops as soon as the threading ends.
For some, especially those with sensitive skin, mild redness or tenderness may linger for a few hours. However, this sensitivity usually resolves within the same day. In rare cases, slight irritation can last up to 24 hours, but the pain itself does not extend beyond the threading session.
18 Tips to Make Eyebrow Threading Hurt Less
Eyebrow threading doesn’t have to be painful — with the right preparation and techniques, you can significantly reduce discomfort during and after your session. Here are effective tips you can follow to make threading hurt less:
1. Drink Plenty of Water Before Your Appointment
Staying well-hydrated in the days leading up to your threading session helps keep your skin soft, elastic, and less reactive to pain. When the skin is dehydrated, it becomes dry, tight, and more sensitive — which can make each pull during threading feel sharper.
Aim to drink adequate water throughout the day before your appointment to keep your skin calm, supple, and better prepared for hair removal.
2. Exfoliate Your Eyebrows a Day Before Threading
Gently exfoliating the skin around your eyebrows one day before threading helps reduce pain and makes the process more efficient. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, product buildup, and excess oil, allowing the thread to grip the hairs more cleanly without slipping or tugging unnecessarily. It also helps prevent ingrown hairs and reduces the chance of irritation post-threading.
Use a mild, non-abrasive scrub or a soft cloth — and avoid harsh exfoliants or acids. Never exfoliate on the same day, as freshly scrubbed skin is more sensitive and prone to redness during hair removal.
3. Skip the Makeup Before and After Threading
Avoiding makeup around the eyebrow area before and after threading is essential to protect the skin and reduce the risk of irritation. Makeup products like foundation, concealer, and brow gels can clog open pores immediately after hair removal, leading to redness, bumps, or breakouts.
Before threading, removing makeup ensures that the skin is clean, allowing the thread to glide smoothly and grip hair effectively.
After threading, the skin is slightly more sensitive, and applying makeup too soon can trap bacteria or cause inflammation. To keep the area calm and clear, skip all cosmetic products for at least 24 hours after your session.
4. Avoid Any Stimulating Treatments Before Threading
To reduce sensitivity during threading, it’s important to avoid treatments that stimulate or stress the skin such as exfoliation, chemical peels, facials, or tanning at least 24-48 hours before your appointment.
According to a study, while exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, it can also cause mild irritation, often presenting as redness and a stinging or burning sensation upon application.
For a smoother and less painful experience, keep your skincare gentle and minimal in the days leading up to your threading session.
5. Avoid Harsh Skincare Products Before Threading
To make threading hurt less avoid any harsh skincare product. Using strong skincare products like retinoids, chemical exfoliants, or alcohol-based toners before threading can make the skin more sensitive and increase the risk of pain, redness, and irritation.
According to Research, retinoids are associated with what’s known as a “retinoid reaction,” characterized by burning sensation, erythema, and peeling at the site of application. When the skin is already compromised, even minor hair removal can feel more intense.
To avoid discomfort, stop using such products on the brow area at least 24 to 48 hours before your appointment, and stick to gentle, hydrating skin care instead.
6. Trim Long Eyebrow Hairs Before Threading
Trimming overly long eyebrow hairs before threading can make the process more comfortable and precise. When hairs are too long, they’re more likely to get tugged unevenly or pulled in the wrong direction, which increases discomfort during threading.
Shorter, uniform-length hairs are easier for the thread to catch cleanly, allowing for smoother and more controlled removal.
Use a small pair of clean eyebrow scissors and a spoolie brush to gently trim any extended strands along your natural brow line. Avoid cutting too close to the root — just a light trim helps improve results and reduces unnecessary pulling.
7. Rub the Bridge Vigorously Before Threading
Rubbing the area between and around the eyebrows for a few seconds before threading helps in desensitizing the skin and loosening the hair follicles slightly. This gentle stimulation increases local blood circulation, which relaxes the skin’s surface and can temporarily dull nerve sensitivity in the area.
According to the theory proposed by Melzack and Wall, light tactile stimulation such as rubbing activates large-diameter nerve fibers that inhibit the transmission of pain signals from smaller pain-conducting fibers, thereby reducing the perception of pain.
This mechanism explains why rubbing the skin before threading may reduce the sharpness of the initial sting when hair is pulled.
Additionally, it removes any surface oil or residue that might interfere with smooth threading. Use clean fingers or a soft cloth and apply light, circular pressure for 15–30 seconds right before your session starts.
8. Use a Talcum Powder
Using talcum powder before threading helps reduce pain by preparing the skin for smoother hair removal. According to study, Talcum powder contains finely milled magnesium silicate, a soft mineral that absorbs moisture and oil from the skin.
When the brow area is dry, the thread glides more smoothly without sticking or dragging, which minimizes friction and prevents the skin from being pulled. It also helps the thread grip the hair more precisely, reducing unnecessary strain on the skin.
For best results, choose a fragrance-free, dermatologically tested talcum powder and gently dust it onto clean skin using a cotton pad just before threading begins.
9. Chew a Gum During Threading
Chewing gum during eyebrow threading might seem unusual, but it actually helps distract your brain from processing pain signals. The continuous jaw movement activates facial muscles and keeps your focus slightly divided, which lowers your perception of discomfort.
In simple terms, the brain can’t fully focus on both pain and chewing at the same time.
Choose a sugar-free gum and chew steadily before and during the session to help ease tension and reduce the stinging sensation of each thread pull.
10. Hold Your Skin Tight During Threading
Keeping the skin tight during threading reduces pain by minimizing skin movement and preventing unnecessary tugging. When the skin is loose, the thread can pull and drag it along with the hair, which increases discomfort and irritation.
By gently stretching the skin using your fingers, usually one hand holding the eyelid and the other lifting the brow—you create a flat, firm surface for the thread to glide across.
This allows the technician to work more precisely and helps reduce the intensity of each pull. A well-stretched area not only makes threading faster but also significantly lowers the sting.
11. Thread in the Direction of Hair Growth
To reduce the initial pain of threading, it’s recommended to start by threading in the direction of hair growth. This approach causes less resistance at the root, making hair removal smoother and minimizing discomfort, redness, and irritation.
Once the skin adjusts and the initial sensitivity decreases, the technician can gradually switch to threading against the direction of hair growth for better precision and shaping. This method balances reduced pain with clean, defined results.
12. Numb It With Ice
Applying ice to the eyebrow area after threading is one of the most effective ways to reduce pain naturally. According to a Research by Esperanza Herrera & team, Cold temperature temporarily numbs the skin by slowing down nerve signal transmission, which dulls the sensation of pain.
Ice also causes blood vessels to constrict, which reduces inflammation and minimizes the skin’s sensitivity.
To use this method, gently rub an ice cube over the brows for a few minutes right after your session. Always wrap the ice in a clean cloth to avoid direct skin contact that might cause a cold burn.
13. Moisturise the Skin After Threading
To make threading less painful, it’s essential to keep the skin well-moisturized. Proper hydration promotes faster healing and helps minimize redness and irritation that often follow threading.
It’s best to use a fragrance-free moisturizer, as scented products can irritate sensitive skin and delay recovery. Regularly applying moisturizer keeps the skin soft, soothes discomfort, and supports the healing process after threading.
14. Apply a Cooling Lotion After Threading
Applying a cooling lotion immediately after threading helps soothe the skin and ease any lingering redness, heat, or discomfort. These lotions often contain calming ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or cucumber extract that reduce inflammation and support skin repair.
As highlighted by Brian Lett, aloe vera is recognized for its cooling properties and wound‑healing properties, significantly reducing redness and promoting faster healing after procedures like hair removal threading.
Cooling lotions work by lowering skin temperature, constricting blood vessels, and calming nerve endings irritated during hair removal. This not only relieves the sting but also prevents post-threading bumps or sensitivity.
Choose a lightweight, fragrance-free formula and apply it gently over the threaded area to help the skin settle and recover quickly.
15. Apply a Mineral Mask After Threading
Applying a gentle mineral mask after threading can help soothe the skin, reduce redness, and tighten the pores. Mineral masks—especially those containing natural clays like kaolin or bentonite—are highly effective in calming the skin and preventing post-threading breakouts.
Their natural cooling and anti-inflammatory properties also soothe the skin, minimize redness, and support a smoother recovery after threading.
Use a fragrance-free formula and apply a thin layer to the brow area 30 minutes to an hour after threading. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, then rinse gently with cool water to refresh and rebalance the skin.
16. Apply a Mud Mask After Threading
Applying a mud mask post-threading helps calm the skin, reduce inflammation, and absorb any excess oil from the treated area. Mud masks, especially those made with minerals like Dead Sea mud, kaolin, or fuller’s earth—offer natural compounds that help draw out impurities, tighten pores, and soothe redness.
After threading, the skin may feel warm or slightly irritated, and a cool mud mask can provide immediate relief by cooling the surface and supporting the skin’s healing process.
Apply a thin, even layer to the brow area about an hour after threading, leave it on for 10–15 minutes, and rinse gently with cold water.
17. Apply Alum After Threading
Applying alum to the skin after threading is a traditional yet effective way to soothe irritation and prevent infection. Alum, a natural astringent and antiseptic, helps tighten the pores, reduce redness, and minimize the risk of bacterial buildup in freshly opened follicles.
It also helps control minor bleeding or swelling that may occur on sensitive skin. As study demonstrated, alum’s mild styptic action is effective to reduce post-shave irritation.
To use it safely, dampen an alum block or crystal with clean water and gently glide it over the threaded area. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing with cool water. Avoid using it on broken or overly sensitive skin, and follow with a light moisturiser to keep the skin balanced.
18. Minimize Sun Exposure After Threading
Protecting your skin from direct sun exposure after threading is crucial to prevent irritation, redness, and potential darkening of the treated area. Right after hair removal, the skin becomes more sensitive and vulnerable to UV damage, even with brief sunlight exposure.
The removal of hair from the follicle temporarily opens the pores and exposes the fresh surface layer of the skin, making it more reactive.
To avoid discomfort and discoloration, stay out of direct sunlight for at least 24 hours and always apply a broad-spectrum, fragrance-free sunscreen if you need to go outdoors.
Is Eyebrow Threading Better Than Eyebrow Waxing
Eyebrow Threading and waxing are both popular hair removal methods, but threading is often preferred for its precision and suitability for sensitive skin. Unlike waxing, threading does not involve heat or chemicals, reducing the risk of irritation and breakouts.
To learn more about which method suits you best, check out our detailed comparison on “Is Eyebrow Threading Better Than Eyebrow Waxing“.
Conclusion
In conclusion, threading can be made almost painless by simply paying attention to proper care before, during, and after the process. Being mindful of these stages helps reduce discomfort and protects the skin from irritation.
With the right approach and gentle handling, threading can become a smooth, comfortable experience rather than a painful one.