Does shaving really make my hair grow faster?

Does it increase its strength and density?

The "Doctor Information" program answered these questions, in addition to reviewing some misinformation related to hair health.

Does shaving hair accelerate its growth and increase its density?

There is a common belief that shaving hair causes it to grow back, thicker or coarser, or grow faster.

But this statement is not accurate.

As early as 1928, a scientific study showed that shaving does not affect hair growth, according to a report in the BMJ medical journal.

Also, shaving does not affect the thickness or rate of hair growth, as the live part of the hair is under the surface of the skin, and it is not affected by shaving.

The ends of hair that grow after shaving are not as smooth as unshaved hair, so it feels rougher, and the color of hair that grows after shaving has not been affected by the sun or exposure to chemicals, so it looks darker, and you may think it is thicker.

After all, shaving the hair will not help to strengthen what has been thinned out.

Hair myths

  • Plucking gray hair causes more gray hair to appear:

    If you are reluctant to pluck gray hair, fear not.

    This is an incorrect myth.

    In fact, plucking hair puts pressure on the hair follicles and scalp.

  • You should shampoo greasy hair daily:

    While shampoo's job is to clean hair of unwanted dirt and oil, it's easy to overdo it, according to a report in Reader's Digest.

    In fact, excessive use of shampoo may lead to brittle hair and itchy scalp.

  • Shampoo stops working after a while:

    This myth stems from the idea that your hair will "get used" to a product and stop working.

    But there is little evidence to support this.

    If you are comfortable with a particular shampoo, keep using it.

  • Natural oils are good for your hair:

    Contrary to popular belief, most raw food ingredients such as avocado oil, coconut oil, and honey are not able to penetrate deep enough to make any lasting improvement.

    Aside from not being able to actually affect the hair, it can leave a sticky residue.

    "When used as an emollient as an ingredient in a professional product, natural oils are great, but when used alone, they are heavy and difficult to wash out of the hair," specialist Paul Labric tells Reader's Digest.

  • The more lather the better:

    Heavy suds isn't always a sign that your shampoo is working overtime.

    In fact, bubbles are a byproduct of strong detergents, which can strip hair of essential oils and nutrients.

    So choose the right shampoo for your hair type regardless of the bubbles.

  • The more you comb your hair, the healthier:

    False, you don't need to brush your hair 100 times a day for it to be healthy.

    In fact, excessive brushing can do more harm than good;

    Because it can damage the hair.

  • Shampooing too frequently makes your hair fall out:

    Strong shampoos can strip your hair of its natural oils, but this has nothing to do with hair loss.

    In fact, not showering enough can lead to excess oil production, which can damage the roots and lead to additional shedding.