The ancient art of threading (removing hair with a cotton string) is becoming increasing popular in the United States. Curious and deeply obsessed with arching my eyebrows, I had to experience it first-hand. But, I must confess, I was a bit scared. Ok, terrified to be exact. I'm not one for pain, but my obsession got the best of me.

Armed with a skinny, cotton thread, the practitioner gripped one end of the string between her teeth while balancing the opposite end with her left hand. She looped the middle of the thread between her index and middle fingers. Prepared for the worse, I scrounged up my face, squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath. To my amazement, it did not hurt! Sure I could feel her pulling the hair with the thread, but it was not half as bad as waxing or tweezing.

Threading may be relatively new to the United States, but it is not to other parts of the world. For centuries, middle easterners have used the hair removal technique on every part of the body. According to Wikipedia, threading is known as khite in Arabic, but in Egypt it is referred to as fatlah. It is very popular in India as well. Because the hair is pulled out by the follicle, results can last up to two to four weeks.

Like any hair removal technique, one runs the risk of developing folliculitis, inflammation of the hair follicles. Despite this possible side effect, people are still getting it done. In downtown Chicago at the Natasha Style and Cut, men and women literally line up in droves to get the procedure done. During the lunch hour and on Saturdays, it's standing-room only, reported the Chicago Tribune.

In America, threading is primarily done in larger, mainstream cities. In many states, only licensed cosmetologists or aestheticians are allowed to legally do the threading technique. However, most American cosmetologists are not trained in the procedure. Cost can range from $5 to $60, depending on the establishment.

So how did my session go? I was so pleased with the results of my eyebrows that I stayed to get my upper lip and chin done!