How to make 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.

Whether you shave your legs or facial hair or both, you may have heard the famous rumor that hair grows back thicker after shaving. This can strike fear in the hearts of those who shave regularly, because it would cause more of what you’re trying to get rid of.

But before you put down your razor or trimmer, we’re here to tell you the truth about this common shaving debate — so you can put your worries to bed and move forward with your hair removal method of choice. Read on for the facts on the matter and other hair removal rumors. 

Let’s cut to the chase. The good news is, the rumor that hair grows back thicker after shaving is just that — a rumor. According to the Mayo Clinic, shaving facial or body hair doesn’t change its thickness, but it does leave it with a blunt tip. 

As the hair begins to grow back, it typically feels coarse and stubbly, which is why it can sometimes appear to be growing back thicker. This applies to the hair on your head, arms, and face (you can expect the same results even when removing peach fuzz). Once the hair grows out, it will look just the same as it did before shaving.

Does Hair Grow Back Darker After Shaving? 

With color, it’s the same deal. The Mayo Clinic states that shaving hair won’t change its color. Again, the regrowth phase can often create the illusion of hair that is growing in thicker — and therefore darker — since it has a blunt tip once shaved.

Does Hair Grow Back Hair Faster After Shaving?

Another false alarm. While it may seem as though your hair growth speeds up post-shave, the Mayo Clinic says this is not the case. Rather, you’re likely more aware of regrowth that’s occurring since you’re committed to the routine of shaving (plus, you’re going from no hair there to hair growing in so it’s more noticeable).

Does Hair Grow Back Thicker After Waxing? 

You may be curious about other types of hair removal and if they can cause your hair to grow back thicker. One that’s probably popped into mind is waxing. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology, waxing is a form of epilation that removes hair from the root. 

The good news is that waxing and removing hair from the root actually causes the hair to grow back thinner and lighter over time, so it may be a better alternative for those who are looking for a longer-lasting result overall.

Does Hair Grow Back Thicker After Laser Removal? 

We have one last hair removal method to cover — you may be curious about laser hair removal and if it can lead to thicker regrowth. Fortunately, laser hair removal does the exact opposite. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that laser hair removal can take six sessions or more to remove the hair but that the hair removal is permanent on most parts of the body.

How to Hide Noticeable Hair Growth

If you’re worried about your hair regrowth being noticeable post-shave, you’re not alone. Here are some top tips for hiding any noticeable strands.

1. Use Self-Tanner

Self-tanner can be your saving grace when it comes to a lot of beauty concerns. Aside from giving you a beautiful glow sans dangerous UV rays, it’s also great for concealing blemishes and grown out hair. Use an airbrush self-tanner, like the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist Medium Natural Tan, for an instant cover-up.

2. Try a Blurring Body Lotion

Just as there are blurring face moisturizers, a blurring body lotion can help smooth the appearance of your skin. With an application, it can help blur out stubble, uneven skin tone, and make your skin look more airbrushed. This, in turn, will help minimize the appearance of any noticeable regrowth.

3. Use Body Makeup

When in doubt, turn to body makeup to conceal noticeable hair in a pinch. You don’t need a crazy amount of coverage to hide stubble — just a small amount of matte liquid foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation can work wonders.

Next: 7 Shaving Cream Alternatives You Can Find Around The House

Edited by: Shannon Stubbs, Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn

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