When we shave our legs, many of us have noticed that the hair seems to grow back thicker and darker than before. Is this just a perception or does shaving really change the hair that regrows on our thighs and legs? Here is a look at the science behind leg and thigh hair regrowth after shaving.
Why Does Hair Seem Thicker After Shaving?
There are a few reasons why freshly shaved hair may seem thicker when it grows back:
- When hair is shaved, it is cut at the thickest part of the strand, right at the skin’s surface. As it grows back, it starts out this thickness until the thinner tapered end grows longer.
- When hair is shaved, the edge is blunt instead of tapered, making it feel coarse or stubbly.
- Shorter hairs stand straight out from the skin, making hair feel denser than longer hairs that lie flat.
So while the hair is not actually thicker, it appears that way due to the bluntness of the tips and the short length causing hairs to stand straight up.
Does Shaving Cause Hair to Grow Back Darker?
Shaving does not alter the color or texture of hair as it regrows. However, there are some factors that can make it appear darker or coarser:
- When hair is shaved, the blunt regrowth may appear darker against the skin before it lightens as it grows out.
- Frequent shaving can mimic new hair growth, as finer hairs that used to be invisible now reappear with each shave.
- As we age, thigh and leg hair may naturally become darker and coarser just from hormonal changes.
So while shaving does not change the actual color or texture of leg and thigh hair, regrowth can sometimes seem darker due to the thickness and contrast of the blunt ends against the skin.
Does Shaving Cause More Hair to Grow Back?
No, shaving does not increase hair growth on the thighs or other areas. Here’s why:
- Shaving cuts the hair at the skin’s surface and does not affect the hair follicle underneath.
- The hair follicle controls the entire growth cycle – anagen (active growth), catagen (transition) and telogen (resting) phases.
- Shaving does not extend the anagen phase or shorten the telogen phase of hair growth.
So while shaving creates an appearance of more hair, it does not actually increase hair growth. The same amount of hair grows whether it is shaved or not.
Does Waxing or Plucking Cause Increased Hair Growth?
Waxing or plucking thigh hair also does not lead to increased hair growth. However, some people may notice thicker regrowth, for a couple reasons:
- Waxing and plucking remove the entire hair follicle beneath the skin, which must regrow completely.
- Regrowth may seem denser since waxing removes all hairs at once instead of shaving them off at the skin’s surface.
But like shaving, waxing and plucking do not affect the hair’s growth cycle or lead to lasting increased hair growth on the thighs or other areas.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Shaved hair does not grow back darker, thicker or faster on the thighs.
- The bluntness of hair tips and short length after shaving creates an illusion of thickness.
- Waxing and plucking also do not increase thigh hair growth overall.
- Any regrowth after removing thigh hair may seem coarser at first but lightens over time.
- Hair growth is controlled by the follicle underneath the skin, not the method used to cut or remove visible hair.
So rest assured that shaving, waxing or plucking your thighs does not actually affect how fast or thick the hair grows back! It may appear differently at first but returns to its normal growth pattern over time.