Thank-you for your questions. I counsel my patients that there is always a risk of bruising and/or swelling when a needle pierces the skin, such as during a threading procedure. However, in my experience, the amount of bruising and swelling is usually minimal. I often utilize a cannula (a very small, blunt-tipped tube) instead of sharp needles (which can traumatize tissues and injure blood vessels), in addition to other techniques to lessen the chances of bruising and swelling. Also keep in mind where on your body the threads are being inserted. For example, bruises can be challenging to conceal on your face, but most of the rest of your body can be hidden from view quite easily under your clothes. Fortunately, bruising and swelling eventually resolve with time. Like any procedure, you will have to weigh the pros and cons to decide if it's worth the cost.