Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFact or Myth: Shaving hair makes it grow back thicker
By Heather Mayer
Posted: 1/18/07, 11:00 PM EST Section: Feature
MYTH
As you stand there holding your triple-bladed razor wondering whether or not to shave your happy trail, you might think the hair will grow back thicker. After all, doesn't it seem that freshly-shaven legs or face are eventually overtaken by thick strands of dark-colored hair?
Fear the hair no longer! Paul Birnbaum, doctor of dermatology at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, said shaving will not cause hair to grow back thicker. Hair thickness depends on a number of factors, including the number of hair follicles and genetics.
"The number of hair follicles clearly doesn't change by shaving," Birnbaum said. "(Thickness) is not affected by shaving. The only thing that affects (thickness) is what goes on in the follicle."
Go ahead, shave away that unibrow, upper lip or toe hair. It may be stubbly and weird, but it won't be any thicker on its way back.
As you stand there holding your triple-bladed razor wondering whether or not to shave your happy trail, you might think the hair will grow back thicker. After all, doesn't it seem that freshly-shaven legs or face are eventually overtaken by thick strands of dark-colored hair?
Fear the hair no longer! Paul Birnbaum, doctor of dermatology at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, said shaving will not cause hair to grow back thicker. Hair thickness depends on a number of factors, including the number of hair follicles and genetics.
"The number of hair follicles clearly doesn't change by shaving," Birnbaum said. "(Thickness) is not affected by shaving. The only thing that affects (thickness) is what goes on in the follicle."
Go ahead, shave away that unibrow, upper lip or toe hair. It may be stubbly and weird, but it won't be any thicker on its way back.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 12
Jack
posted 2/07/07 @ 3:18 AM EST
thats not true!!!! i wish it were but i had baely any hair between my eye brows and i shaved it for about 2 years and now i have a full unibrow and im so mad because i wish i knew not to shave it now i made a unibrow for life
TONY
posted 9/17/07 @ 6:44 PM EST
YEAH, I JUST SHAVED MY UNIBROW FOR THE FIRST TIME AND NOW, IM REALLY SCRAED IT'LL GROW BAC. WILL IT????
Luke
posted 12/18/07 @ 6:12 PM EST
this is completey untrue. Hair grows back thicker. Do not listen to these people. Its obvious it will. When you shave your mustache for the first time when it grows back it will be thicker then it was before. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 12/20/07 @ 12:21 AM EST
Yeah, this is the same problem our Athletic Director has .. the more he lies and boasts the more he messes up. Get rid of Daryl Gross. He's just a plain LA creep. (Continued…)
edmine
Ed
posted 1/15/08 @ 6:24 PM EST
Rats. I keep shaving my bald spot and guess what....it's still bald. What's up with that crap?
Jonathan
posted 1/16/08 @ 9:02 AM EST
The answer is nair.
John
posted 10/11/08 @ 9:12 AM EST
That not true, especially if you shave with an electric razor. My hair used to grow back thin when I would shave but when I started shaving with an electric razor, it grew back so fast that I was left with a permant shadow and I always had stubble by noon. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 3/24/09 @ 12:51 AM EST
Shaving does NOT make your hair grow faster/thicker. That's just rediculous. 1: Electric razor won't shave as close as a razor, so thats why you have a "permanent" shadow and you get the impression it grows back faster. (Continued…)
Katherine
posted 7/06/09 @ 10:23 AM EST
well if when you shave it grows back faster why dont bald men shave to get more hair and why dont people who go for hair transplants just shave if its going to grow back thicker and faster? instead of wasting hundreads of pounds on treatments?
The hair underneath the skin is not affect when you shave!!!
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