Can shaving head against the grain cause hair loss?

Question

Hi, (Male 35). Two months ago I shaved my head against the grain on two occasions. I got some nicks and cuts both times. After that, I only shaved my head with the grain. I noticed that my hair has become thinner/less since the first two shavings, is it possible that the hair loss that I experince is due to shaving against the grain?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Shaving your head—whether with or against the grain—does not cause permanent hair loss. It may irritate the scalp or cause superficial damage like nicks, razor bumps, or ingrown hairs, but it does not affect the hair follicle beneath the skin responsible for hair growth.

Why Your Hair Might Seem Thinner:
Temporary Trauma: Shaving against the grain can cause minor skin irritation or inflammation of the follicles (folliculitis), which may lead to a short-term shedding of hair in affected areas. However, this is typically temporary and not a true form of hair loss.

Normal Hair Cycle: You might be noticing shedding related to your natural hair cycle or a coincidental onset of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), which commonly begins around your age.

Perception of Thickness: When shaved, hair appears thicker due to the blunt edge of the cut shaft. As it grows, the natural taper can make it seem thinner—even if density hasn't changed.

What You Can Do:
Be gentle with your scalp post-shave and avoid harsh rubbing or aggressive techniques.

Use a clean, sharp razor and a moisturizing shave gel to minimize irritation.

If you're concerned about ongoing thinning, consider consulting a dermatologist to rule out early signs of androgenetic alopecia or other scalp conditions.

In summary, shaving against the grain does not cause permanent hair loss, but it can cause temporary irritation that may affect the scalp's appearance. If thinning continues, it's likely due to natural causes rather than shaving technique.

Marco Barusco, MD · Answer

Hello,

No need to worry—shaving your head against the grain, even if it caused some nicks and cuts, does not lead to permanent hair loss. Hair follicles are located well below the skin's surface, so shaving only affects the hair above the scalp. The thinning you’re noticing is likely unrelated and could be due to other factors like natural progression of hair loss, stress, or seasonal shedding.

If you’re concerned about ongoing thinning, it’s always a good idea to consult with a specialist to assess your hair and explore options for preservation or restoration.

Best regards,
Dr. Marco Barusco

Michael Zacharia, MBBS, FRACS, FAAFPS · Answer

Shaving hair against grain without injuring the hair follicles will not cause hair loss. Follicles are situated deep into the second layer of the skin. Shaving can strip off a thin layer of the epidermis (first layer) but unlikely the dermis (second layer). A useful sign when dermis (second layer) is breached is bleeding. If the follicles are damaged (e.g. such as cuts/nicks) or deep enough, then the hair growth to that particular scarred follicle may be affected and hair loss may occur. Hair growth will not be affected on undamaged scalp.
Most common reason for hair thinning or hair loss is still androgenic alopecia. Genetics (both paternal and maternal) plays an important factor. However, general health condition including stress related causes need to be ruled out.

Ross Kopelman, DO · Answer

It's understandable to be concerned about changes in your hair after shaving, especially when you notice thinning. However, I can reassure you that shaving your head, whether with or against the grain, doesn’t directly cause permanent hair loss. Hair grows from follicles beneath the skin, and shaving only affects the hair at the surface. While shaving against the grain might have caused the nicks and cuts you experienced, which can irritate the scalp, this irritation wouldn’t typically lead to long-term thinning or hair loss.
If you’re noticing thinning hair, it’s likely due to other factors, such as genetics, hormonal changes, or even stress, which can contribute to conditions like male pattern baldness. The timing with your shaving may be coincidental, but if you’re concerned about persistent thinning, we could explore non-surgical treatments or further evaluate your scalp health.

Can shaving head against the grain cause hair loss?

Answers (4)

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