This is a common question that many people have about body hair regrowth. Pubic hair, like hair on the head and other parts of the body, goes through regular cycles of growth and shedding. When pubic hair is shaved or waxed, it may appear to grow back thicker and darker. This can lead to the belief that removing pubic hair causes it to grow back stronger or more abundantly. However, research shows this is not the case. Pubic hair regrowth is dependent on hormones, genetics, and age – not manipulation of the hair.
The science behind pubic hair regrowth
Pubic hair first develops during puberty under the influence of hormones like testosterone and estrogen. The hair follicles produce thick, pigmented terminal hairs as part of development into adulthood.
Pubic hair goes through three cycles:
Anagen phase
The active growth phase which can last 2-6 years. This is when the hair follicle produces and lengthens the hair shaft. About 85-90% of pubic hairs are in the anagen phase at any given time.
Catagen phase
A short 2-3 week transition phase marking the end of active growth. The hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the blood supply.
Telogen phase
The resting phase which lasts about 2-3 months. The hair stops growing and eventually sheds. About 10-15% of hairs are in this phase.
After shedding, the hair follicle returns to the anagen phase and begins growing a new hair. Pubic hair density and thickness is determined by genetics, hormone levels, and age – not by shaving or plucking. Cutting the hair does not alter the follicle itself or the cycling process.
However, when hairs shed in the telogen phase, shaving removes the club-shaped tip from the hair shaft. When the new hair emerges, it lacks the finer tapered end, giving the illusion of thickness. The new hair also emerges with a blunt tip from the skin, feeling coarse or stubbly. But the actual thickness is unchanged.
Does removing pubic hair cause it to grow back darker or thicker?
Many people also wonder if pubic hair grows back darker or thicker after removing it. This belief comes from the same visual illusion occurring when hair lacks the tapered ends after shaving. The regrowing hairs may seem darker or coarser for a few reasons:
– Blunt tips reflect more light than slender ends, making hair appear darker.
– Natural sun exposure lightens pubic hair over time. Regrowth emerges from unexposed skin.
– Curly hairs appear thicker than straight hairs at the same length.
– Cut hairs stand straight rather than lying flat against the skin.
But again, the actual thickness and pigmentation of the hair remains the same. Your genetic programming determines whether pubic hair will be thick or thin, curly or straight, light or dark. Removing the hair does not impact the growth cycle or change the hair.
Does pubic hair change with age?
Pubic hair does change as you age, regardless of removal methods. Here’s what you can expect:
Teens and 20s
This is when pubic hair reaches its peak thickness and pigmentation due to high hormone levels. For both sexes, hair growth spreads outward to inner thighs and upward across the pubic mound.
30s and 40s
Pubic hair gradually starts thinning out. The total area covered may remain extensive but strands become finer. A slight lightening of color occurs as well.
50s and beyond
Pubic hair continues thinning and receding. Many people are left with just a smaller triangle patch rather than hair spreading fully between legs. Gray hairs mix in with reduced pigmentation.
These mature changes occur independent of hair removal routines. The hair follicle structure and cycling transforms over time leading to the natural decrease in density.
What impacts pubic hair regrowth?
If pubic hair regrowth is not affected by shaving, waxing, or plucking, what does influence it? Here are some factors:
Hormones
Puberty brings the activation of hair follicles by hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Later in adulthood, declining levels of these hormones cause thinning and slowed re-growth.
Genetics
Your inherited genes determine whether you will have thick or fine, fast or slow growing pubic hair even as hormone levels change. Ethnic background influences pubic hair form and distribution as well.
Medications
Certain medications or medical treatments may thin pubic hair as a side effect. Cancer drugs, hormone therapy, and steroids can temporarily alter regrowth.
Pregnancy
Surging estrogen can cause increased thickness and faster growth during pregnancy for many women. Post-partum shedding and temporary thinning is also common.
Menopause
The estrogen drop after menopause slows hair regrowth. Pubic hair becomes finer and sparser especially as women age.
Diseases
Conditions that impact hormone levels, like polycystic ovarian syndrome or thyroid disorders, can influence pubic hair regrowth patterns.
Injuries or burns
Severe damage to the skin areas around the pubic region may scar the hair follicles leading to permanent areas of thinning.
So while your hair removal routine doesn’t change the nature of regrowth, other health and genetic factors certainly can over time.
Tips for pubic hair removal and regrowth
If your goal is to maintain a bare look through ongoing hair removal, here are some tips for best results:
Allow time between removals
Wax every 4-6 weeks and shave no more often than every 2-3 days. Too frequent removal irritates skin and may cause ingrown hairs.
Exfoliate first
Sloughing off dead skin cells allows for a closer shave or wax with less risk of irritation. Be gentle though.
Use the right products
Apply shaving cream, oil, or gel to protect skin and allow a smooth glide. For sensitive areas, use a clean, sharp razor.
Moisturize after
Replenish moisture to avoid dryness or itching as hair starts regrowing immediately.
Watch for irritation
Ingrown hairs, bumps, and infected follicles can be avoided with proper tools and technique. Treat any post-removal irritation promptly.
Consider laser hair removal
For those wanting permanent hair reduction, treatments with medical laser technology may be an option. Effectiveness varies with hair and skin type. Multiple sessions are required.
Let it grow
For minimizing regrowth impact, allow hair to reach a slightly longer length between removals. Trim with scissors rather than shaving down to the skin.
With the right hair removal methods and skin care, you can maintain the look you want while allowing for healthy regrowth in between.
The takeaway
Despite common myths, removing pubic hair does not cause it to grow back darker, thicker, or more abundantly. The hair follicle structure and growth cycles are not changed. Genetics and hormones determine pubic hair patterns as you age. Though shaving may appear to make stubble more coarse and stubbly at first, it has no impact on the actual hair being produced. Maintaining your desired look through periodic hair removal just takes understanding the process, using proper tools and techniques, and caring for the sensitive skin in this area.
| Age Range | Pubic Hair Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Teens and 20s | Thickest, darkest pigmentation, extensive coverage area |
| 30s and 40s | Gradual thinning and lightening begins |
| 50s and beyond | Ongoing thinning, graying, and receding hairline |