Does Shaving Make Hair Grow Back Thicker + Darker?
No, and here are a few reasons why you may think that...
When you shave, you cut the hair with the razor at the base of the hair and at the surface of the skin. Generally, the base of a hair is thicker than the tapered end that has never been shaved. This could give the impression that the hair appears or feels coarser, but keep in mind the act of shaving didn't actually change the structure of the hair. Another reason one may think this is that short hair sticks straight up out of the surface of the skin making it feel coarser instead of laying down flat until it grows out.
I also hear a lot from men that when they started shaving their hair grew in thicker and darker. The fact of the matter when a teenage boy starts growing hair and feels the need to start shaving, it’s because they hit puberty and they are actively growing more hair. Puberty is overlapping with the start of shaving. Not because of the act of shaving!
If you notice a sudden difference in your facial or body hair, it’s best to speak with your doctor. You may have an underlying condition (like a hormonal imbalance, hirsutism, PCOS, etc.) or could be a side effect of a medication.
Sources: Mayo Clinic & Scientific America
