How to Thread Underarms: A Candid, Safe Guide

Threading is one of the oldest hair-removal methods in the world — a twisted length of cotton thread that loops around each hair and pulls it cleanly from the follicle. It is most associated with eyebrows and upper lips, but plenty of people use it on their underarms too. Is it a good idea? Yes, with the right technique and realistic expectations. Here is everything you need to know before booking or attempting it yourself.

What Is Underarm Threading, Exactly?

A technician holds a length of cotton thread taut between their fingers and teeth (or a spool holder), twists it into a double-strand loop, and rolls it across the skin in a quick, rhythmic motion. The loop catches individual hairs — or small groups of hairs — and pulls them from the follicle in one swift movement. No wax, no chemicals, no heat.

The result is a clean removal at the root, which means regrowth typically takes two to four weeks — roughly on par with waxing, and significantly longer than shaving.

Why the Underarm Is Trickier Than the Eyebrow

The underarm is not a flat, firm surface. The skin in your axillary fold is thinner, looser, and more prone to folding than facial skin, which creates two specific challenges:

Pinching and uneven tension. If the skin is not held taut during threading, the thread can catch a fold instead of a hair. That hurts, can cause bruising, and makes results uneven.

Pigmentation risk. Darker skin tones are more susceptible to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) — patches of darkening triggered by any form of skin trauma, including the friction of threading. If you already deal with underarm discolouration, discuss this with a dermatologist before committing to regular threading sessions.

Folliculitis. Any method that removes hair from the root — threading, waxing, plucking — briefly opens the follicle. If bacteria enter, you can develop folliculitis: small, tender red bumps around the hair follicle. The warm, moist environment of the underarm makes it a slightly higher-risk zone than the face.

Step-by-Step: Getting Threading Done Safely

Whether you are going to a salon or learning the technique yourself, these steps apply.

1. Find a Skilled Practitioner

Threading underarms is not a routine salon service — many threading specialists focus exclusively on facial hair. Ask specifically whether the technician has experience with body threading before booking. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that inexperienced practitioners are more likely to cause uneven results and ingrown hairs.

2. Prep the Skin

• Keep the underarm clean and dry the morning of your appointment. No deodorant, antiperspirant, or powder.
• Avoid exfoliating acids (AHAs, BHAs) or retinoids for two to three days before your session — they thin the skin's surface and increase sensitivity.
• The hair should be at least a few millimetres long so the thread has something to grip. If you have been shaving recently, wait roughly one to two weeks.

3. Stretch the Skin Taut

This is the single most important technique point for underarms. Raise your arm fully overhead and use your opposite hand to pull the skin of the underarm area flat. Your technician may ask you to hold a specific position. Do not let the skin bunch — a taut surface gives the thread a clean path and reduces pinching significantly.

4. Expect Some Discomfort

Threading pulls hair from the root, so some sting is normal. Underarm skin is thinner than facial skin (it is one reason laser treatments in this area are noted to be more painful), so the sensation can feel sharper than you might expect from eyebrow threading. Take a slow breath and stay still during each pass.

5. Aftercare Matters

• Apply a fragrance-free, alcohol-free soothing gel (aloe vera works well) immediately after the session.
• Keep the area clean and dry for at least 12 hours. Avoid applying deodorant or antiperspirant for the first few hours if you can.
• Do not exfoliate or apply any active skincare products for 48 hours.
• Avoid hot baths, saunas, and vigorous exercise for the rest of the day — heat and sweat can irritate freshly opened follicles.
• If redness persists for more than 48 hours, or if you develop painful, pus-filled bumps, consult a GP or dermatologist.

How Often Can You Thread Your Underarms?

Most people find they need a session every two to four weeks, depending on how quickly their hair grows and how smooth they want to stay. Threading too frequently does not give follicles enough recovery time and can cause cumulative irritation — space sessions by at least two weeks.

Can You Thread Underarms at Home?

Technically yes, but it is considerably harder than at-home threading on a flat facial area. You need to control the thread tension with one hand while stretching the skin with the other, in a location you can barely see without a mirror angled awkwardly. The learning curve is steep, and mistakes — catching a skin fold, breaking the skin, missing hairs — are more common. Most beginners find the underarm is not where they want to practise.

When Threading Is Not a Good Fit

Threading is worth reconsidering if you:

• Have active folliculitis, inflamed hair follicles, or a breakout of bumps in the underarm area. Threading over inflamed skin can spread bacteria.
• Deal with significant post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and want to avoid anything that could worsen it.
• Cannot commit to a professional appointment every few weeks.
• Simply want a quick, everyday option rather than a monthly ritual.

Threading vs. Safety Razor: How They Fit Your Routine

Threading and shaving are not rivals — they serve different purposes and can work alongside each other.

Threading removes hair from the root and delivers smooth results that last weeks. A quality safety razor removes hair at the surface and delivers smooth results in under a minute, any morning you want, with no appointment and no regrowth wait. For underarms specifically, a well-designed safety razor is often the more practical daily tool: the skin stays smoother more consistently, there is no two-week growth phase to endure, and the risk of folliculitis is lower when technique is good (no dry shaving, sharp blade, short strokes with the skin stretched flat).

If threading appeals to you for the longer intervals between sessions, consider using it as your baseline reset — every few weeks — and reaching for a safety razor in between when you want smooth skin on a given morning without booking ahead.

For more on matching your technique to each body area, the shaving by body area guide covers underarms specifically: the direction to shave, how to handle the natural fold, and why blade freshness matters more here than almost anywhere else.

The Bottom Line

Threading underarms is safe and effective when done by a skilled practitioner with proper prep and aftercare. The axillary skin is more delicate than your face, so taut skin, clean technique, and a gentle post-session routine are non-negotiable. Expect smooth results for two to four weeks, some initial redness, and a sting that is sharper than eyebrow threading. If you have a history of post-inflammatory darkening or folliculitis in this area, get a dermatologist's view before committing to a regular threading schedule.

And on the days you want smooth underarms without booking an appointment? A sharp, quality safety razor handles it in thirty seconds flat.

Skin concerns that persist beyond 48 hours after any hair-removal treatment — unusual redness, swelling, or infected-looking bumps — should be assessed by a GP or dermatologist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does threading underarms hurt more than waxing?

Most people describe threading as a sharper, quicker sting rather than the broader pull of waxing. Underarm skin is thinner than facial skin, so the sensation can feel more intense than eyebrow threading. Keeping the skin stretched very taut during the session reduces discomfort noticeably.

How long do threading results last on underarms?

Hair grows back in approximately two to four weeks after threading, since the method removes hair from the root. This is similar to waxing. Regrowth tends to feel finer and softer than after shaving because the hair tip is tapered rather than blunt-cut at the surface.

Can threading cause ingrown hairs on the underarm?

Yes. Any hair-removal method that pulls from the root — threading, waxing, plucking — can lead to ingrown hairs if the follicle is disturbed or the hair grows back at an angle. Gentle exfoliation two to three times a week between sessions (once the skin has recovered) helps keep follicles clear.

Is threading safe for dark underarm skin or existing discolouration?

Threading involves repeated friction and follicle trauma, which can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in those prone to it — a response more common in medium to deeper skin tones. If you already have underarm discolouration, speak with a dermatologist before starting regular threading sessions.

Can I use deodorant right after threading my underarms?

It is best to wait at least a few hours, ideally longer. Freshly threaded skin has micro-open follicles that are more vulnerable to irritation from fragrances, alcohol, and aluminium compounds found in many deodorants and antiperspirants. Rinse with cool water, apply a fragrance-free soothing gel, and let the skin settle first.

Last updated: 2026-06-17