Many people, both men and women, have hair on their private parts that they remove through shaving, waxing, laser hair removal, or other methods. A common concern is whether the hair will grow back after removal. The short answer is yes, the hair is likely to grow back unless permanently destroyed through laser treatments. However, there are some factors that affect hair regrowth.
Why We Have Pubic Hair
Before looking at whether removed pubic hair grows back, it helps to understand why we have pubic hair in the first place. Pubic hair begins to grow during puberty and serves a few purposes:
- Protection – Pubic hair helps protect delicate skin and mucous membranes from friction and abrasion during sexual activity or exercise.
- Odor reduction – The hair and oil glands around pubic hair help provide a protective barrier against bacteria, reducing odor.
- Pheromones – Pubic hair contains pheromone receptors that may help induce sexual attraction.
- Visual signaling – The development of pubic hair signals sexual maturation.
Pubic hair growth is controlled by androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). During puberty, increased production of these hormones triggers pubic hair growth. Hair growth varies significantly between individuals based on hormone levels.
Pubic Hair Growth Cycle
Like other body hair, pubic hair follows a specific growth cycle:
- Anagen phase – This is the active growth phase which lasts 2-6 years. The hair follicle is long and the hair grows continuously.
- Catagen phase – This transition phase follows the anagen phase and lasts about 2-3 weeks. The hair follicle shrinks.
- Telogen phase – The resting phase lasts 2-3 months. The hair stops growing and eventually sheds. Only about 10-15% of hairs are in this phase at a time.
After the telogen phase, the follicle returns to the anagen phase and a new hair starts growing. This cycle continues repeatedly throughout life. Pubic hair is typically thicker and curlier than other body hair due to higher sensitivity to androgens.
Does Pubic Hair Grow Back After Removal?
When you remove pubic hair through shaving, waxing, threading, depilatories, or other methods, you are only removing the visible portion of the hair above the skin. The follicle itself remains intact below the surface. As long as the follicle is undamaged, the hair will grow back.
Hair regrowth begins as soon as the anagen phase starts, which may be within days or weeks after removal. How quickly and how much hair regrows depends on the individual and the method used for removal.
Regrowth After Shaving
Shaving only cuts the hair at the skin’s surface, so it has no long-term effect on hair growth. Pubic hair may start regrowing within a few days after shaving. Regrowth is often thicker or darker since shaving blunts the tip of the hair.
Regrowth After Waxing
Waxing removes hair by pulling it out from the root. Regrowth starts about 2-6 weeks after waxing since the entire hair growth cycle must start over. Regrowth may appear finer and lighter since the whole hair is removed.
Regrowth After Depilatories
Chemical depilatories dissolve the hair above the skin so regrowth is similar to shaving, though it may take 1-2 weeks to start. The chemicals don’t affect the follicles.
Regrowth After Electrolysis
Electrolysis destroys the hair follicle by inserting a tiny electric needle alongside the hair shaft down to the root. When performed correctly, the follicle cannot regenerate so hair regrowth is permanent. Multiple treatments are needed to catch all hairs in the right growth phase.
Regrowth After Laser Hair Removal
Like electrolysis, laser hair removal aims to permanently destroy the hair follicle so hair cannot regrow. The laser device targets melanin in the follicle. Most patients need 6-8 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart to fully prevent regrowth.
Factors Affecting Pubic Hair Regrowth
While pubic hair tends to grow back after removal, there are some factors that affect regrowth:
- Hormones – Androgens like testosterone and DHT stimulate hair growth. Changes in hormone levels due to puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or medical conditions can affect regrowth.
- Age – Pubic hair often gets finer and sparser as both men and women age. Regrowth may be slower and less.
- Genetics – Genes control individual aspects of hair growth like thickness and growth cycles.
- Medications – Certain medicines like chemotherapy drugs, birth control pills, or steroids alter hormone levels, which affect hair regrowth.
- Diseases – Medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women can increase androgen production and pubic hair growth.
If pubic hair regrowth seems abnormal, such as growing in places it didn’t before or not growing back at all, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to check for any underlying causes.
How to Manage Pubic Hair Regrowth
While you can’t permanently stop pubic hair regrowth at home, there are ways to manage it:
- Shave regularly – Shaving every few days can keep hair short and manageable.
- Try other removal methods – Alternate shaving with depilatories, waxing, epilators, etc.
- Use exfoliants – Gently exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs as hair starts regrowing.
- Consider laser hair removal – Permanent reduction takes multiple treatments over months.
- Accept regrowth – Let hair grow out fully between removal sessions.
Proper grooming and skin care can help minimize irritation from regrowing pubic hair. Trimming long regrowth can help maintain neatness and comfort.
Does Pubic Hair Change with Age?
Pubic hair often changes as both men and women get older, typically after age 40. Some of the age-related changes are:
- Hair gets finer and sparser
- Hair lacks pigment and turns gray or white
- Hair starts disappearing from the top and sides of pubic area
- Fewer follicles produce hair, especially in women
- Regrowth after removal slows down
These changes occur as hormone levels start to shift with aging. Testosterone and DHT levels begin declining in men. Women undergo a more rapid drop in estrogen during menopause. The result is pubic hair thinning.
Pubic Hair in Older Men
Many men start developing some gray or white hairs in their 30s and 40s. This graying accelerates as DHT decreases. Testosterone also declines about 1% per year after age 40 which contributes to reduced pubic hair regrowth. It’s common for older men to have thinner, sparser pubic hair concentrated mainly at the base of the penis.
Pubic Hair in Older Women
Women undergo a sudden drop in estrogen during menopause, usually around age 50. This hormone change causes pubic hair to thin out substantially. Many postmenopausal women have little to no pubic hair. Low estrogen also slows hair regrowth after removal. As women age, remaining pubic hair may turn gray or white.
Getting Checked Out
Keep in mind that pubic hair changes in older adults correlate strongly with hormone levels. If loss seems excessive or happens earlier than normal, get checked out for underlying conditions. Hormone imbalances, autoimmune diseases, medications, or diseases like PCOS could cause abnormal pubic hair changes.
Managing Loss of Pubic Hair in Older Adults
While pubic hair naturally decreases with age, some individuals may want to enhance what remains. Options include:
- Pubic wigs/hair replacement – Add simulated hair around the pubic region.
- Minoxidil – Apply topical medicine to potentially stimulate more growth.
- DHT-blocking treatments – Medicines or supplements may slow hair thinning.
- Testosterone therapy – Boost testosterone levels under doctor supervision.
- Estrogen therapy – Increase estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.
Personal grooming like dyeing, trimming, and styling remaining hairs can also help. Most importantly, speak with a doctor if hair loss becomes a major concern.
When Pubic Hair Regrowth Stops
Pubic hair regeneration typically continues throughout adulthood whenever hair removal methods only cut or extract the hair above the skin and don’t damage the follicle. Permanent stoppage of regrowth only occurs if:
- The hair follicle is destroyed – This occurs with proper electrolysis or laser hair removal.
- Hormones change significantly – Puberty, menopause, and aging alter testosterone, estrogen, and DHT.
- Medical conditions develop – Diseases or medications impact hormones and growth cycles.
In cases of follicle damage or hormone changes, loss of pubic hair is irreversible without medical treatment. If a disease or medication causes excessive hair loss, regrowth may resume when the underlying problem is treated.
In Conclusion
Pubic hair regrowth after removal is common due to the natural hair cycle. Hair may grow back within days or weeks. While it’s impossible to permanently stop regrowth at home, individuals can use methods like shaving, waxing, depilatories, and laser treatments to maintain the area. Pubic hair does change with age, turning gray and thinning out as hormone levels shift. Excessive loss should be evaluated by a doctor. With proper understanding and management, pubic hair regrowth can be handled smoothly.