Does shaving your head make your hair grow back thicker

For something that billions of us do every day, there are plenty of myths around shaving. While we’re not averse to adding a little extra mystique to the ancient art of the shave, at Wilkinson Sword we’re in the business of making shaving straightforward. We’ve been experts in shaving for well over a century, so we’re better placed than most to clear up any misunderstandings that might crop up in bathrooms up and down the land.

One of the most common questions about shaving is what it does to your hair. Does it change the way it grows, paving the way for thicker or faster-growing hair to return in its place? It’s true that it can often seem like your hair is determined to defy whatever you do with a razor, coming back with more determination each time and occasionally making shaving feel like a futile exercise. But here, in black and white, are the facts about shaving and body hair…

Does shaving make hair thicker?

In short, no it doesn’t. Hair might appear to be thicker after you shave on any part of your body. When the hair begins to reemerge from your skin after shaving, the blunt end where the razor cut it can make it look thicker and darker, but it’s still exactly the same strand of hair that was there before, completely unchanged.

There are a few optical illusions that don’t help with the spread of this particular myth. One of them is down to the fact that the longer you don’t shave, the more the sun can make your hairs appear lighter and thinner. That means that when you do shave, the remaining hair is suddenly a lot more noticeable against the skin.

Another occurs because hair is naturally much thicker at the root than it is at the tip. That’s why brand new stubble looks more conspicuous when there’s no thinner hair to offset it. In reality, it’s impossible for hair thickness or colour to be impacted by shaving. Hair growth, on the other hand, is a different story…

Does shaving make hair grow back faster?

This one’s a little more complicated, because it can grow back faster but shaving’s got nothing to do with it – however, your genes have everything to do with it. Everybody’s gene pool determines the rate at which hair reappears, as well as the texture it develops. As a result of your genes, you might have more hair or thicker hair than other people, and it might grow back at what seems an exhausting rate. It’s not necessarily fair, but it’s science.

Does hair grow back faster on certain parts of the body?

Hair growth speed doesn’t just vary between people but between different areas of the body. Armpit hair tends to grow back around 50% faster than leg hair, and the same inconsistency applies right across the body – so you might find yourself engaged in a constant race to stay ahead of hair growth in some tricky spots.

Should I shave different parts of the body in different ways?

You can say that again. Every area of your body has a different type of hair – whether you’re keeping the downstairs region in check or tackling those pesky patches that sprout in unexpected places as you grow older. The key is to be equipped with the right tools and clued up on the right techniques for each. A well-practised, carefully honed head-to-toe grooming routine will keep you looking your best and stop your hair getting out of control – whatever speed or thickness it grows at.

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Find out the truth about if shaving makes your hair actually grow back faster and thicker. Most of us have heard the myth shaving makes your hair grow back faster and thicker. You may have even hesitated or decided not to shave certain areas of our bodies as a result.

Although you might think your hair is thicker after you shave, it really isn’t. And this is true regardless of whether you shave your bikini area, legs, arms or armpits. When you shave, your razor cuts away the hair from the surface of the skin, but it does not remove the hair entirely, just part of it. The rest of the hair strand and root are still underneath the skin’s surface.

Once the hairs start to emerge back through the surface of your skin, they may look and feel thicker due to the blunt end from where the razor cut the hair, but they really aren’t.

Does shaving your head make your hair grow back thicker

Does shaving make my hair grow back faster?

The act of shaving does not make your hair grow back faster, your genetics do. Hair texture and regrowth are determined by your gene pool. Some people have more hair than others; some people have thicker hair than others; and, everyone’s hair grows back at different rates. For instance, a person with fine, fairer colored body hair might not have to shave as often as someone with naturally dark, thick body hair.

Does shaving your head make your hair grow back thicker

Why does hair grow back faster in certain areas than others after shaving?

Just like how body hair grows back at different rates for different people, the hair on various areas of your body also can grow back at different speeds. For example, armpit hair generally grows back 50 percent quicker than the hair on our legs. This is why if you shave both areas, you may shave your armpits more frequently than your legs.

Does shaving your head make your hair grow back thicker

What other hair removal methods can I try to keep my hair from growing back so quickly?

Since shaving only cuts away a portion of the hair, other hair removal methods may keep hair from growing back for longer periods of time. For example, waxing works to remove hair from the root, which may result in hair taking longer to grow past the skin’s surface. Epilation, which removes hair mechanically, and laser hair removal are both longer lasting solutions.

Does shaving your head make your hair grow back thicker

If shaving is your preferred method, try building your own razor. And, if you’d like to learn more about shaving and hair removal products, click here for the Venus shop.

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Does shaving your head make your hair grow back thicker

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Does shaving your head make your hair grow back thicker

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Does shaving your head make your hair grow back healthier?

No. That's a myth that persists despite scientific evidence to the contrary. Shaving has no effect on new growth and doesn't affect hair texture or density. Hair density has to do with how closely strands of hair are packed together.

Should I shave my head if my hair is thinning?

Hair loss and thinning hair is enough reason to shave your head if you want to hide your hair situation. A smooth bald shave is much better than outgrowing hair around bald patches. Shaving the head is the easiest thing to do and easier than trying to cover up bald spots.

Are there any benefits to shaving your head?

When you shave your head you no longer have to worry about combing or styling your hair. Once your head is shaved, there is little to no extra care that needs to be done. Those who suffer from hair loss have difficulty finding hairstyles that will work for them – if your head is shaved, that annoyance is eliminated.