Preconceived ideas about shaving and depilation
In this new article, we will look at the different received ideas that exist about Shaving and Hair removal.
First of all, here is what is happening during depilating or shaving.
When hairs are shaved, they are cut off and when they are waxed, they are pulled out. So, on the one hand, the hair is still there but shorter. On the other hand, it remains only a bulb of hair follicle ready to give birth to new hair. This means that after shaving the hair can continue to grow faster, compared to depilation where the hair grows back further under the skin.
We can now see the different preconceptions about shaving and hair removal.
1. The amount of hair
The holes in which hairs grow, called hair follicles, appear between the 8th and 12th week of pregnancy. After that, no follicles will be formed. At birth, we already have a hair potential that will not change afterwards. On average, a human has between 2 and 5 million follicles spread throughout the body.
So shaving or hair removal does not change the number of follicles.
After hair removal, we can have the impression there is less hair than before, but this is just due to the method used. Hairs removed at the root will take more time to grow back than hairs removed less deeply.
When people start shaving it is usually at puberty. It is at this moment that our hair goes from fine and light to thicker and stronger due to hormonal changes. Somes can therefore think there is a correlation between shaving and the amount of hair but in reality, it is only a coincidence.
2. The shape of the hair
After depilation, a new hair is formed with a natural fine point. The shaved hair has a wider, raspier end, which covers more surface and therefore appears blacker. Shaving effectively makes the hair more prickly than waxing.
On the other hand, the diameter of the hair does not change after shaving or depilation because the follicle that produces the hair remains unchanged.
3. Speed of regrowth
It is often thought that shaving accelerates regrowth, which is not true. Hair is produced in the hair follicle and as the hair grows cells die. During shaving the hair cut is already dead, the follicle has no way of knowing that its end has been cut off. It produces its cells no matter what is done.
So the speed of regrowth doesn't change.
When a hair is pulled out it is deeper than when it is shaved, so it will take longer to reappear. For example, an eyebrow pulled out at the root takes 56 days to grow back, for the thighs, it takes 141 days.
In conclusion, shaving and hair removal have no effect on the quantity and speed of hair regrowth. On the other hand, the shape of the hair varies according to the technique used.
