Many women will do their own eyebrows, which is fine, but it is important to remember not to over pluck them. If eyebrows are over plucked then they will often have no clear definition which, instead of opening and lifting up a face, actually has the opposite effect.

There are a number of eyebrow shaping methods that can be used to get the perfect eyebrow and three of the most popular are waxing, threading and electrolysis.

Eyebrow Waxing

Eyebrow waxing is nothing new and many women have been doing it for decades. It isn't overly expensive and it lasts between three and ten weeks, depending upon the woman and her natural hair growth pattern.

Both hot and cold waxing is usually available at most spas and even at many salons. The wax can be applied in a specific way to help shape the brows or it can be applied to those straggling hairs that just won't behave. After wax application and the appropriate waiting period is complete, a special tape strip is placed on top of the wax and then pulled off in a straight, fast, ripping motion.

The consequences of waxing may include red, irritated skin, a slight burning or itchy feeling, or even a minor rash in the area where the wax was applied. This can often be soothed with a cotton ball dipped in cold water. Once the irritation or itchiness subsides, an application of moisturiser can help to re-hydrate the skin.

Threading

Threading is fairly quick and cost effective and lasts about the same amount of time as waxing. Threading uses a strand of cotton thread, which is twisted. It is pulled along the skin anywhere that stray hairs exist. It can pull one or many hairs up from the roots in a single pass. A single threading may capture all of the unnecessary hair if it is clumped together in the same spot. However, for shaping purposes, it may take between six and eight passes to complete the technique.

The consequences of the procedure as are much less than with waxing. The skin may appear slightly red for a short period of time because of the scraping motion; however, it usually goes away within a couple of hours. Threading rarely irritates or causes the skin to break out, but if it does, the same procedures used for waxing can help to soothe upset skin.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis isn't new either, but it has finally become more affordable for the average woman. There are even a few home electrolysis systems on the market for those who are willing to take the risk of doing the job themselves. Most women will opt for a professional treatment, which is most often done by an aesthetician trained in the art of hair removal. These individuals can be found in some spas, at extremely versatile beauty salons, and in the office of dermatologists or even plastic surgeons.

The treatment doesn't take very long; about 10 to 20 minutes. The good news is that the treatment generally doesn't have to be repeated after it is complete. Even when it does, it can be years between procedures.

Electrolysis involves the use of a special electrode that delivers a minor electrical shock current to the hair follicle. The current kills the follicle at the same time as it removes unwanted hair. Because the hair is often in different stages of growth, electrolysis treatment may need to be repeated two or three times to make certain that all of the unwanted hair is removed.

The consequence of this treatment lies in the hands of the person doing the procedure. One slip of the electrode could cause the loss of hair in the wrong place; removal of too much hair; leaving behind thin or sparse brows; or uneven or improperly arched brows. For that reason, it is important that anyone considering this procedure seeks out an accredited individual to perform the treatment. It is also possible that electrolysis will irritate the skin, cause temporary tiny bumps or even a short-term rash. Once again, cold water, applied with a cotton ball, should help to alleviate the problem.

Conclusion

The key to having a successfully shaped brow is to know exactly what is wanted going into the treatment. Thin or delicate brows will require more upkeep and probably more money than a more natural look. So anyone considering an eyebrow shaping procedure should do their research before approaching any form of treatment.