Threaing is an ancient method of hair removal which originated in India, practiced in the Middle and Far East, and is now gaining popularity in Western countries. It is as popular with men in Arabic countries as it is with women, though men still shave the beard part of their face with a traditional safety or straight razor, doing their ears and eyebrows with thread. It is also popular in Persian culture, and is called Bande Abru ("Abru" means eyebrow, and "Band" is the thread). Threading the entire face is widely spread amongst Iranians, but it was originally practiced when a woman was getting married or during special occasions. In ancient Persia, threading was an indicator of a girl turning to adulthood, becoming a woman.