It's a dilemma that women have been grappling with for centuries – does shaving make hair thicker? The answer is complicated, and there are some unique points to consider when deciding whether or not to shave. Read on to find out how shaving can change your body hair!
What happens to your hair after you shave it?
According to Annie Gonzalez, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami, shaving has no effect on the pace of hair development, colour, or thickness of hair.
The hair follicles continue to grow under the skin after shaving. “This results in irritation of the hair follicles, which may result in irritation, itching or unpleasant red bumps,” she explains. Itchy skin after shaving can be caused by a number of factors, including shaving wrongly or razor burn.
Ingrown hairs, cuts, and acne are some of the other unwanted effects of shaving.
Is it true that shaving makes your hair thicker?
The fact is that shaving your hair does not cause it to grow back thicker or at a faster rate, contrary to popular perception. In reality, clinical tests Trusted Source conducted in 1928 dispelled this common misperception Trusted Source.
Nonetheless, the legend endures, nearly a century after its inception. Because hair regrowth after shaving is typically different in appearance, it is possible that this is the reason.
Learn why this is the case, how you can achieve a better shave, and what the genuine adverse effects of shaving can be by reading this article.
Is it true that shaving undesired body hair causes it to regrow thicker and darker?
It does not — shaving does not alter the thickness, colour, or pace of development of hair.
Shaving facial or body hair gives the hair a blunt point, which is not desirable. For a short period of time, the tip may feel harsh or “stubbly” as it grows out. Although the hair may be more apparent and appear darker or thicker at this phase, this is not the case.
If you detect a sudden rise in the amount of facial or body hair on your face or body, consult your doctor. An untoward reaction to drugs or evidence of an underlying medical issue are both possibilities. Your doctor may also be able to give you with information on other hair-removal treatments.
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Is it true that shaving causes my hair to come back faster?
Hair grows back faster as a result of your genetics, not because of the act of shaving itself. Your gene pool has an impact on the texture and regrowth of your hair. There are differences in the amount of hair each person has, the thickness of their hair, and the speed at which their hair grows back. Someone with naturally dark, dense body hair may not need to shave as often as someone with fine, lighter coloured body hair. This is true for both men and women.
Why does hair regrow more quickly in some regions of the body than others after shaving?
In the same way that body hair grows back at varying rates for different people, hair on different parts of your body can grow back at different rates as well, depending on where it is on your body. For example, armpit hair often grows back 50 percent faster than the hair on our legs, which is a significant difference. If you shave both areas at the same time, you may find that you shave your armpits more regularly than your legs.
How does hair grow?
Hair grows from tiny, follicular bulb-like structures called the dermal papilla. These structures send out cells that will form the hair shaft. After the cells are fully formed, they are pushed up towards the surface of the skin. There, they produce keratin proteins and undergo a process called keratinization to make them strong and healthy.
Are you curious about whether or not shaving makes hair thicker?
The answer is no, shaving does not make hair thicker. Hair grows in cycles and replenishes itself after it's cut off. Hair may feel thicker because the ends of the hair are now blunt so there's less chance of splitting ends.
Shaving and hair: The myths and the truth
You may have heard that shaving can make your hair grow back thicker. But is this myth? The truth is that there are a number of factors to consider when deciding whether shaving will make your hair feel or look thicker. In the past, male celebrities would often shave their heads to make their hair appear thicker. In today's world, many men are shaving their faces with the hope that this will make their beards appear fuller. But does shaving make hair thicker? The answer is a little complicated.
The real reason why your hair might appear to be thicker after shaving
Hairs have a natural thickness to them. If you shaved your hair and it appears thicker, you're probably imagining things. It's quite common for someone to shave their hair and then not realize that the texture has changed until they see it in the mirror.
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Is shaving bad for your skin?
Shaving with a razor will remove the hair from the follicle, but it also removes some of the protective oils that can keep pores clear and bacteria out. This can cause shaving rash, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and other problems that are best avoided by using special shaving cream or gel instead.
Conclusion
The fact is that shaving has no effect on hair development, despite what you may have heard or read. This long-held notion should not prevent you from engaging in your preferred grooming activities.
If shaving isn't providing you with the results you want, try consulting with a dermatologist about additional hair removal techniques. Depending on the skin type, body part, and other factors, they may propose more permanent methods such as waxing or laser removal.
