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Does Shaving Make Your Hair Grow Back Thicker and Faster?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Arie Benchetrit, MD
Question viewed 83,015 times
Tags: growth, hair

Does shaving make your hair grow back thicker and faster? Is it better to wax?

10 answers to Does Shaving Make Your Hair Grow Back Thicker and Faster?

+4

Shaving and excess hair.

Fortunately, you can shave, pluck, wax or nair unwanted hair, without causing more unwanted hair to grow. Think about it, with 75% of men experiencing some degree of permanent hair loss (male-patterned baldness) at some point in their lives, all they would need to do is shave their heads periodically to grow more hair. It just doesn't happen.
Jonith Breadon, MD

Chicago Dermatologic Surgeon
+3

Old Wives Tale

    Studies have shown that shaving has no influence on density or thickness of the hair. After all the follicle is quite a bit deeper than the skin surface.    I believe this fiction stems from the onset of shaving occurring basically at the same time as the need to shave. As we approach and then propel into the teen years the terminal hairs darken and coarsen. This results in a need to shave. There is then the perception that shaving causes the changes in the... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+2

Shaving does not cause a change in hair.

Shaving has earned this mythical reputation because natural hair left alone has a soft tip and has been exposed to light for a while, making it potentially lighter in color. Newly grown shaving stubble has a blunt end from the previous shave, and is just emerging into the light of day so it is as dark as it will ever be. Do not be afraid to shave.
Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH

Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ArtofDermatology.com

+2

Shaving does not make your hair grow faster or thicker

It is a proven fallacy. Testing has shown that the growth of hair is not thicker or faster once shaving begins. Many patients prefer to wax as it gives a smoother result and lasts longer than shaving. 
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Hair growth is not related to shaving

Think about it - if shaving made hair grow back thicker, then men who shave every day would have ever-thicker facial hair, which is not the case. As my colleagues have pointed out below, there is no link between shaving and hair growth, which is controlled by follicles well below the skin surface.
Arie Benchetrit, MD

Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1

No effect on hair growth when hair is shaved

Contrary to popular belief, shaving the hair does not result in thicker, faster, darker, or coarser hair growth. This is simply a myth. There is no effect on the hair growth cycle when hair is shaved, plucked, waxed, etc. Shaving does not alter the hair shaft below the skin surface, where growth and pigmentation occur. The fact is that shaving may cause the new hair growth to appear stubbly, dark, blunt ended, and sharp tipped, as it alters the tip shape and angle of growth, similar to the... more
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

San Francisco Dermatologic Surgeon

www.elitemdspa.com

+1

Does shaving affect hair growth

Shaving in no way affects hair growth. While new hair that grows out may temporarily feel different, there is no lasting effect. Think about it, the root of the hair is much deeper than what you are shaving, and that is not affected by shaving in any way.
Benjamin Barankin, MD

Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Shaving results in stubs

Shaving hair does not cause it to regrow any faster or thicker. Shortened new hair growth arises from the follicle in a vertical fashion, commonly known as stubs. This is misconstrued as thicker hair. Upon growing to a longer length the hair density appearance nomalizes. Laser hair removal is safe and effective in all skin types with the proper laser and an experienced practicioner.
Lee Kleiman, MD

Annapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Shaving is not related to increased hair growth

There is no correlation between shaving and increased hair growth. This myth is not based on any evidence. We hear this theory often from our patients.
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

This is a hair removal myth

Hair growth is stimulated by age-related genetic factors, hormonal influences, and the environment. Sometimes, infection or inflammation can cause premature loss of hair. Waxing and shaving have the side effect of causing folliculitis, deepithelialization, and ingrown hairs. Laser hair removal is safely performed, but in inexperienced hands, can lead to pigmentation problems.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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