Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: thedoc on 29/09/2013 23:26:42

Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: thedoc on 29/09/2013 23:26:42
All of my life, I have heard it said that shaving makes hair grow back faster and that once you start shaving, you’re then committed for life.  What’s the answer?
Asked by John Kemp


                                        Visit the webpage for the podcast in which this question is answered. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/naked-scientists/show/2009.09.05/)

[chapter podcast=2007 track=09.09.06/Naked_Scientists_Show_09.09.06_4555.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd)  ...or Listen to the Answer[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/09.09.06/Naked_Scientists_Show_09.09.06_4555.mp3)

Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: exton on 20/07/2009 22:09:40
There is no truth to that; shaving or cutting hair does not change the rate at which it grows.

Some people also believe that it causes hair to gro back thicker, but that isn't true either.
Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: lyner on 20/07/2009 22:15:40
I think that it's a story put about by Mums who don't want their little boys to grow up!
I think it could be true, however, that the first hairs (bum fluff) that you get on your chin may be less visible when they are allowed to grow compared with cut-off ones because they taper to a point. Women have a similar problem with their legs.

Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 21/07/2009 06:49:44
I think that it's a story put about by Mums who don't want their little boys to grow up!
Oh jeez, I was fooled by my own mother! (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fdoh%2F2.gif&hash=fef6931e562a6dc5fd0fd29a97202c70)(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fdoh%2F2.gif&hash=fef6931e562a6dc5fd0fd29a97202c70)
Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: lyner on 21/07/2009 13:10:36
On many other occasions as well, I'm sure.
Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 22/07/2009 04:42:24
She once told me that eating tofu would make my skin whiter. I believed her.
Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: lyner on 22/07/2009 18:37:26
Mine told me that "only common people" eat in the street!!!!!

Hang on - this is general nonsense not General Science!
Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: wanhafizi on 23/07/2009 05:43:05
Yes it does...

That's why it is not advisable for a woman to shave their legs or lips... They will end up with more hairs
Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: lyner on 23/07/2009 09:42:14
Is there actual evidence?
Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: dionne12 on 23/07/2009 13:31:41
There is no truth to that; shaving or cutting hair does not change the rate at which it grows.

I believed my frens :)
Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: Databit on 23/07/2009 15:53:39
This is a common myth that has a small teensy bit of truth to it.
When you shave, you are not removing the hair, you are shortening it to skin level.  Compared to growing a new hair, your cut hair has a head start:
1.    It is an active follicle
2.   It already has some hair grown, just you cannot see it below the surface of the skin.
There is also the myth that your hair grows back thicker after being shaved.  There is also a small amount of truth to this as well.  When a hair grows in, it is not a cylinder.  It is in fact an elongated cone.  The tip of a new hair comes to a point and as it grows it gets thicker until it reaches its full thickness.  When you cut the hair off at the skin, you have cut it off at its full thickness.  Now when it starts to grow in, it will be full thickness to begin with.  It will not be any thicker than before, but it will already be at full thickness.  This is also why hair stubble is very stiff when compared to new or longer hair.  The short hair being already at maximum thickness is a lot stiffer.  Fresh hairs are still very thin and bend easily.
Title: Does shaving make hair grow faster?
Post by: thedoc on 08/09/2009 18:37:02
Listen to the answer to this question on our podcast. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/show/2009.09.05/)