(Artesia, CA) Assemblymember Tony Mendoza, will announce the introduction of AB 265 which, if passed will permanently de-regulate the ancient East Asian method of hair removal in the state of California. Mendoza will hold a press conference at Sona Chaandi, a threading salon at 18307 Pioneer Blvd. in Artesia, at 11am on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007. Mendoza’s move follows other legislative bills, which he recommended to his predecessor, that de-regulated threading on a trial basis four years ago. To date only five minor complaints have been received about threading salons in as many years.

“This is a great example of the strength of diversity,” says Mendoza. “This ancient skill is chemical-free, pollutant free, long lasting, and very effective. As Hollywood and the rest of Southern California has come to learn about this method, small threading businesses in the Indo-American community are thriving. What’s more, threading has become a way for more women, especially in the South Asian community, to gain economic viability.” A majority of threading salons are owned and operated by immigrant women.

Threading is the removal of unwanted hair by using a special cotton thread. The process removes hair from its follicle by pulling and twisting a cotton thread along a row of unwanted hair. The practice of threading has existed for centuries and is a well established beauty practice in many countries, such as India and the Middle East. Proponents say threading is a simple, harmless, and natural method of removing hair. Threading is most commonly used to shape eyebrows and remove unwanted facial hair from women.

What: Press Conference on Bill to permanently deregulate threading
Who: Assemblymember Mendoza and members of the Indo-American Community
When: Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007 at 11am
Where: Sona Chaandi, a threading salon at 18307 Pioneer Blvd. in Artesia (562) 924-7274