tips • frequently asked questions
threading
what is threading?
threading is by far the gentlest form of hair removal & dates back centuries with its origins in arabia & south asia. the simple process involves a piece of thread that is twisted & pulled along areas of unwanted hair acting like a mini-lasso, lifting the hair follicle directly from the root without the use of any chemicals or unnecessary tugging on delicate skin! we believe so strongly in this method that it is the only hair removal option we offer for the face.
i noticed that the specialist put the thread in her mouth, is this sanitary?
yes, the specialist uses her mouth to hold the thread taut for better accuracy, but this part of the thread never comes in contact with your skin.
how long does threading usually last & how often should I come back?
since threading removes each hair from the root, it lasts just as long as waxing. of course, re-growth depends on how fast your hair grows, but generally our threading clients come, on average, every 2-5 weeks. another great advantage to threading is that the treatment can target even "peach-fuzz" & other short hairs (aka stubbles) that wax would not be able to get; so if you have a special event and just want a clean-up it is possible with threading!
i over-tweezed; how long should I wait before making an appointment?
we recommend waiting 3-4 weeks after your "pluck fest" to come in for an appointment. however if you find yourself reaching for the tweezers, please come in sooner! the beauty of threading is that even the shorter hairs can be removed while a Shobha® Specialist can start training your shape.
please note: if you removed too many hairs, remember that not all stubbly hairs are bad - have patience & let those shorter hairs grow to their full potential before you decide the keepers from the strays.
i want to get my face threaded, but will the hair grow back darker?
no, since threading removes the hair from the root your hair will grow back the same or less over time as the hair follicles weaken.
my skin is very sensitive; will I get red from threading?
everyone has a different level of skin sensitivity. if you find that you do have very sensitive skin, you will probably experience some redness after threading, but it usually subsides within an hour, unlike wax which can take days (since it literally removes your upper layers of delicate skin)! you may apply hydrocortisone cream &/or use ice after the treatment to help reduce redness. we apply Shobha® Rosewater Calming Gel after all threading treatments, which tightens the pores & naturally reduces irritation.
since this is my first time at Shobha® who is the best person you have for eyebrow threading?
currently we have master and senior-level specialists on our team, they are highly skilled & can offer the best results.
please note, upper level specialist rates vary from the standard Shobha® Specialist rate.
is threading painful?
pain-wise, threading is comparable to tweezing. perhaps the most unique part about the process is the way the thread feels on your skin.
i am a woman, but seem to get a 5 o'clock shadow like a man, what do your recommend?
since your hair grows so fast, you would need to get threading done every few days, & so we would recommend trying laser. it takes several treatments to see semi-permanent results & may seem more costly, but it will save you a lot of time. in between these laser treatments, or after your sessions have finished, feel free to come in for threading! please choose your laser professional carefully. we recommend having your treatment performed by a dermatologist when possible. laser hair removal treatments should not be performed around the eyes.
should I get threaded before or after a facial?
in general, we recommend that you thread 24 hours before or after a facial to avoid any reaction. if you must thread on the same day, we recommend threading after your facial. however, if you have sensitive skin, please wait at least 24 hours when possible.
I have a special event coming up (i.e. wedding); when should I come in for threading?
we recommend coming in for threading 2-3 days before a special event but don't fret, it is safe to wear makeup after threading & any redness usually subsides within an hour, so even the day of is ok for last-minute beauty calls!
i just had cosmetic surgery; is it safe to thread?
since everyone is different, we recommend checking with your physician first, but yes, threading is safe to get after cosmetic surgery 3-4 weeks after the surgery, typically when your skin becomes less sensitive & has had time to heal.
i want to learn how to thread; do you offer any classes?
we have begun offering classes! to learn more about our educational offerings please sign up here. for any other training inquiries, please email us at thoughts@myshobha.com.
sugaring/waxing
what is the difference between the women's bikini treatments offered at Shobha?
a bikini gives you the option of removing hair on the sides &/or on top. you may go in as deep on the sides as you like as long as it doesn’t include the lip or crack areas.
the brazilian gives the option of removing absolutely everything. all of the hair in front, back & in between is removed. leave a landing strip or bare it all (the ‘triangle’ on top is probably the most sensitive part despite what you might think about the more southern regions).
what is the difference between the men's bikini treatments offered at Shobha?
the men's full bikini option offers grooming of the top, sides & crack. it does not include the sac region.
the men's brazilian includes the top, sides, shaft, sac and crack - you may choose to remove it all or leave a customized version.
can I get a brazilian with sugar?
although sugaring & waxing are both offered for bikini treatments, we often use wax for the "brazilian areas" which include the lip & butt crack to eliminate the amount of applications in these sensitive areas.
sometimes with sugaring gel, it takes several applications to remove all of the hair from an area. the reason for the wax (which tends to be stickier) in the brazilian is simply to ensure your comfort & reduce the amount of applications needed to remove the hair, especially in this delicate region. if you would prefer the sugaring gel over the wax, please ask your specialist at the beginning of the treatment. she will then perform as much of the treatment with the sugaring gel if possible. if wax is used in any part of your treatment, it will be considered a waxing service & charged accordingly.
does sugaring hurt less than waxing?
sugaring tends to hurt less than waxing because it pulls less on the skin, while still effectively sticking to the hair. in addition, the weight of the denim cloth used to remove the sugaring gel helps to remove some of the pain.
please note: we use our own sensitive wax formulation that contains azulene oil (derived from the chamomile plant), which is a natural anti-inflammatory. also, the technique used by our Shobha® Specialists has been perfected to minimize the pain factor.
what is sugaring?
sugaring dates back to the civilization of ancient mesopotamia, egypt and greece. it is a form of hair removal that resembles waxing, but is actually much gentler on the skin & less painful to endure.
our unique Shobha® Sugaring Gel is 100% natural, consisting of only sugar, water, glycerin & lemon juice, & looks like honey!
is sugaring or waxing better for my skin?
Shobha® Sugaring Gel is all-natural (made out of only sugar, water, glycerin and lemon juice) making it the most gentle & natural option for the skin. however, if you have been shaving for a while, you may get cleaner results from waxing for your initial treatments. then, once you have been waxing a few times, you may switch to sugaring, while still achieving the same results. if you are unsure which treatment is best for you, simply ask your Shobha® Specialist at the start of your appointment.
how long should my hair be to sugar/wax?
your hair should be at least 1/4" in length, in which the hair will lay flat on the skin. if hairs are still sticking straight out, you should probably wait a little longer. also if you are usually a "shaver" your hair should be slightly longer for the best results. please wait at least 2 weeks from your last shave before a waxing/sugaring treatment.
i'm allergic to latex; do you use latex gloves for your treatments?
we use non-latex gloves for all treatments at Shobha, so you don't have to worry or make any special requests!
how can I prevent ingrown hairs?
we recommend exfoliating daily using either an exfoliating scrub or Shobha® Exfoliating Cloth.
if you feel that exfoliating is not enough, then you may try adding a topical treatment to your routine, like Shobha® Ingrown Relief Lotion. these products should be used consistently to see the best results. over time, they can be used to prevent and treat ingrown hairs. for prevention and mild ingrowns, apply daily at night. for more severe ingrown cases, use twice daily, at night and in the morning. for the best results, apply after showering when the skin is still moist to ensure optimal absorption of the lotion by the skin.
how often should I come in to get sugared/waxed?
once a month is generally the appropriate time in between treatments. however, clients who come on a regular basis come in anywhere from 3-5 weeks, depending on how fast their hair grows. the hair should be long enough to lay flat on the skin, so if it is still poking straight out, you should wait another week.
what type of wax do you use?
we use Shobha® Liquid Wax with Azulene, which has been carefully formulated for sensitive skin. it is greenish in color and contains azulene oil. azulene oil comes from the chamomile plant and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory which helps reduce irritation and redness during the treatment process. muslin strips are used with the wax in the removal process
for men's bikini treatments, we also use a hard wax containing titanium dioxide. this wax is excellent for removing hair in the most sensitive regions.
should I trim my hair before I come for my appointment?
no, our specialists will trim any longer hairs to the proper length prior to the removal process. your hair should be at least ¼ inch in length (which makes it long enough to lay flat on your skin). if you've "let it go" and it seems out of control, don't worry, your specialist will trim it to the proper length before your treatment.
can I request a fresh can of wax/sugaring gel for my treatment?
yes, you may always request a fresh can of wax/sugaring gel for your treatment, however it is not necessary as we strongly uphold our No Double-DipSM Policy, which ensures that we will never re-dip a spatula, so your treatment will always be performed with clean, uncontaminated wax/sugaring gel!
my specialist used a buzzer to trim my hair; is this equipment sanitary?
yes, absolutely! between each and every treatment, all equipment is sanitized with hospital-grade disinfectant.
I am going to be in the sun; when should I get waxed/sugared? />
we recommend that if you plan on being in the sun you should get waxed/sugared at least 2-3 days prior and always wear proper sun protection!
I have my period; can I still get a bikini wax?
no, it is a policy here at Shobha® that we will not wax any client that is currently on her period to ensure your safety as well as that of our specialists. during your period, your body tends to be much more sensitive than normal, making pain from waxing feel more intense (and who would willingly welcome that?).
is it OK to have sex the same day I get my bikini wax?
medical experts recommend waiting for 24- 48 hours after any type of bikini wax. this time period is when your body can be most susceptible to outside bacteria, which can potentially cause an infection. for your safety and health, it is better to abstain, but not required. it is really a personal choice, so just keep in mind that your skin does need some time to recover.
I am pregnant; is it safe to sugar/wax?
many of our pregnant clients still get bikini treatments, some physicians even recommend it before birthing. but remember, everyone's pregnancy is different so please ask your doctor first!
I have a mole; can I sugar/wax it?
moles cannot be sugared/waxed, however our specialists are trained to go around these areas.
I am getting married/have a big event coming up; when should I get my waxing done?
we recommend coming in for waxing 3-4 days before your wedding/big event.
I used to shave, but have let my hair grow & just had a Shobha® Treatment. why do I have stubble?
if you have been a frequent shaver previously (even if you have let your hair grow for a few weeks before your sugaring or waxing treatment), shaving can cause hair re-growth to be uneven, in which some hairs can be too short to be removed with wax or sugaring gel & may result in the appearance of stubble after your first treatment. ideally, all of your hairs should lay flat on your skin to achieve the best results; so some of these shorter hairs may not be removed with wax or sugaring gel the first time. please have patience & let those shorter stubbles grow (no shaving between treatments!) so that your second treatment will have even smoother results!
do I have to remove my underwear for a bikini treatment?
for a bikini line or full bikini, you have the option of leaving on your underwear. your underwear must be removed for a brazilian bikini wax. however, we recommend removing your underwear for all bikini treatments to protect your clothing from the wax or sugaring gel.
we offer disposable thongs for male bikini & leg treatments.
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