Does Beard Grow Faster When You Shave?
The question of how shaving affects hair growth is one of the oldest debates sought after by both men and women. Most studies have concluded that shaving does not induce hair growth, and can have an effect of making the hair appear darker and feel thicker. But, do the facts really support this claim? Read on to learn more.
Facial hair growth occurs through the normal the natural course of puberty and genetics. Every hair follicle on your body cycles through three phases: the Anagen phase, Catagen phase and Telogen phase. The Anagen phase is the active growth phase, while the Catagen and Telogen phases are rest phases in-between that allow the follicle to regenerate itself. The average duration of this cycle makes beards grow .4 millimeters a day.
When you shave the beard, the follicles don’t know the difference; it is simply clipping off the end of the hair. The blade of the razor only cuts off the tip of the hair. This ultimately causes a blunt edge at the end of the follicle – meaning it will be thicker, darker and courser than if it had been left untouched.
Many experts and dermatologists agree, shaving has no impact on hair growth since your follicles are already growing and at a rate that is genetically predetermined. Therefore, when facial hair growth is visible, the action of shaving is the same as cutting the lawn; it may look shorter, but the grass will grow back.
Does Shaving Have An Effect On Hair Colour?
It is common for men to experience colour changes in their beard after shaving. The reason being that the sharp blade cuts the hair neatly off at its base, leaving the hair follicle’s colour pigment exposed. The blunt ends bring out the colur of the hair.
In a study conducted by L’Oreal, it showed that the colour of beards can be darker for different reasons. Men with large birthmarks or other pigmentation can experience darker hair growth from shaving when the highly-pigmented hairs are cut the most. However, for most men, the colour change is not permanent and can be managed with periodic trims.
Although it may seem as though shaving encourages thicker and faster growth, the shape and colour of the hair is just an illusion. What’s more, the texture of beard hairs ultimately depends on skin type; dry skin will tend to be controlled with less trimming, while oily skins will require more frequent trimming to tame the unruliness.
Does Hair Growth Speed Up When You Shave?
Shaving doesn’t speed up the growth of hair, although it may seem like hair has re-emerged thicker and darker and as if facial hair has grown back faster. In actuality, the hair just looks thicker, but hasn’t actually grown faster.
The texture and overall quality of the beard remain the same and shaving does not improve the quantity. The hair will look the same in size and structure whether you shave it or not. It’s important to remember that beards grow in cycles and shaving is the equivalent of the hair being pruned.
Shaving does not affect the rate at which facial hair will grow, in the same way that a haircut does not directly influence the growth of head hair. Therefore, it is likely that a chemically induced, topical treatment would be the closest thing to speeding up beard hair production.
Should You Shave Your Beard More Often?
It is generally recommend that you use the same razor for a few weeks before replacing it again, especially if you are using an electric trimmer or razor. The lifespan of a single razor blade has been scientifically proven to be effective for six to seven uses. This is due to the fact that the effect of blunt edges on the hair can lead to increased scraping, making the process uncomfortable and more likely to cause skin damage and infections.
If you frequently trim your beard, the hairs around the jaw, cheeks and chin will eventually get used to the regular attention, resulting in a more uniform appearance, much like other areas of the head such as a man-bun or undercut.
The frequency in which you shave or trim your beard will ultimately depend on your desired look, however it is not recommended to shave it daily in order to avoid any potential skin irritations or abrasions.
Recommendations For Beard Care
In order to maintain the healthy growing of your beard, it is important to use proper beard care products. Each part of your beard deserves unique attention. Firstly, at least once a week, exfoliate and wash your beard hair, using a dedicated product meant for beards, as it will deeply cleanse the skin and soften the whiskers. Secondly, try to use a conditioner every other day to keep the skin hydrated and give the hairs a healthy shine.
Thirdly, use a leave-in beard oil to help soften and style facial hair. Applying this will provide your facial hair with protective antioxidants and vitamins such as Vitamin E and B-12.
Do Beards Mend Easily After Shaving?
More often than not, beards tend to mend quite easily after shaving, but it can take time. Depending on the individual’s hair growth cycle and hormone levels, it can take up to 3 months to grow back a full beard. As
mentioned previously, shaving doesn’t make the hair grow back any thicker or faster, but can alter the overall appearance.
Moreover, an occasional trim on a fully grown beard can be beneficial as it helps promote healthy hair by removing split ends and enabling air to pass the skin, which makes an easier time for the hairs to penetrate.
Preventative Care For Healthy Beard Growth
To make your beard look better, fuller and more structured, try to use some form of preventative care. Healthy beard growth starts from within; from your daily diet and lifestyle. Ensure to stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet and take multivitamin supplements. Also, get enough rest and minimal exposure to stress.
Exercising regularly can also greatly stimulate the blood flow of your skin to provide the necessary nutrients for healthy hair follicles. Additionally, if you notice that your facial hair isn’t growing as fast as you’d like, try taking some Vitamin B-Complex, as this helps create keratin, the main component of hair.
Will Cutting Pubic Hair Make It Grow Faster?
As with shaving facial hair, cutting pubic hair won’t make it grow back faster or thicker. Each individual hair follicle has its own growth cycle, but like anything in the body, the healthier you are, the better the condition of your hair.
Make sure to keep you pubic hair healthy and well-groomed. Try using a razor that has two or more blades for close, even cuts. Shave in the direction of hair growth, by using short strokes and taking caution when shaving over the more sensitive areas.
Some tips to also keep into account would be to apply moisturiser after shaving and letting your razor cool down in between uses. Also, for women it’s worth noting that the way to keep pubic hair soft and healthy is to regularly apply a moisturizing oil, as it will prevent breakage and dryness.
Brexit & Its Impact On Facial Hair Growth
Recent research has shown that Brexit lacks relevance when it comes to facial hair growth, with much of the population still struggling in the absence of any definitive proof that it encourages healthier and faster facial hair growth.
Normal hair growth is still determined by genetics, hormonal cycles, and general hygiene, so it is impossible to say when a man’s beard will grow back following the leave of the EU. Additionally, due to the lack of authoritative evidence and opinion, the conclusion is that, at this time, Brexit still has very little effect on facial hair growth.
Although this may be a disappointment for some, it is important to acknowledge and accept that the evidence available is still rather dismissive of any potentially positive claims.
Mustache Care After Brexit
Despite the slower growth of facial hair following Brexit, there are still plenty of ways to keep your facial hair looking healthy, natural and thick. Start by using a lip brush regularly, to exfoliate and stimulate growth. This will keep the hairs and skin healthy and nourished.
Next, use a specially formulated mustache oil. This will help moisturize and nourish your mustache, leaving it soft and fluffy. Additionally, it should also help tame the hair and provide some hold for the mustache.
Finally, experiment with different grooming products and waxes. These are designed to help shape and hold the mustache in place, and are a great product for those wanting to maintain a neat and polished look.
Examining The Science Of Facial Hair Growth
The scientific evidence in regards to the links between facial hair growth, specifically whether it accelerates with the act of shaving, is ever changing and often contradictory. As such we must rely on careful observation over time to assess and update any findings.
Research and reviews of studies have tried to establish whether a link exists, however only loose correlations have been found between hair growth rate, shaving and other environmental conditions such as stress. It is therefore still difficult to conclusively say when and if facial hair will grow back faster.
In conclusion, at this time the scientific evidence still stands, with the general consensus being that shaving does not have an affect on hair growth. Consequently, it is important to remember to use a razor with caution and always use quality products to keep your facial hair healthy.