If I Shave My Head, Will My Hair Grow Back Different?
November 13, 2024 • 5 min read
Are you still on the fence about shaving your head because you wonder if it will change the way your hair grows back?
The short answer is "no." Shaving your head does not make your hair grow differently.
Let's examine the details and dispel "myths" about shaving, such as making hair grow faster or thicker.
If You Shave Your Head, Will Your Hair Grow Back?
Yes. The hair you had before shaving will grow back after shaving your head.
Shaving cuts hair but doesn't affect hair follicles. Your hair will grow back as long as your follicles aren't dead yet.
Hair follicles are found below the skin's surface, which a razor or electric shaver can't reach.
This is good news for those who regret shaving and think they're better off balding.
Does Shaving Make Your Hair Grow Back Faster?
No. Shaving does not make your hair grow faster.
How you cut your hair doesn't make it grow faster. It will grow at the same rate as before, usually half an inch per month or six inches yearly.
Does Shaving Make Your Hair Grow Back Thicker?
No. Shaving does not make your hair grow thicker, either.
Many still believe this myth. If it were true, Jason Statham, Vin Diesel, or The Rock would no longer be the sexiest bald men but stars with the thickest hair in show business by now.
Thicker hair only happens when hair follicles come back to life. Shaving doesn't do this. It only cuts hair on the skin's surface.
Hair does appear thicker and darker when it grows after shaving. It's because shaved hair is more blunt, making it appear thicker.
Will Your Hairline Change If You Shave Your Head?
No. Your hairline remains the same after shaving your head.
Hairlines recede as a natural progression of male pattern baldness. Everyone starts at Stage 1 in the Norwood scale and may progress to Stage 7.
Not all get to Stage 7, though. Some baldies remain at earlier stages, like Stage 3 or 4, without progressing further.
Will The Color or Texture of My Hair Change After Shaving?
No. Shaving does not affect the color or texture of your hair.
Hair follicles determine hair color and texture. As we mentioned, they are found beneath the skin and are unaffected by shaving.
People believe the myth that shaving changes hair color and texture because stubble looks darker and thicker as it grows out.
What are The Pros and Cons of Shaving Your Head?
The Pros of Shaving Your Head
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Provides a New Look
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Save Money on Hair Care Products
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Saves Time
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Enjoy Cooler Summers
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Bring Out Your Best Features
The Cons of Shaving Your Head
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Potential Irritation and Ingrown Hairs
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Fewer Styling Options
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Dry scalps
You can learn more about the benefits of shaving your head in our guide.
What's The Best Way to Shave My Head?
If you want a smooth and irritation-free shave, learning how to shave the right way is crucial. Here are 9 steps you can take for the best head-shaving experience:
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Choose your weapon (Manual Razor vs Electric Shaver)
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Trim your hair
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Wash with warm water
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Lather up with shaving cream
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Start shaving
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Rinse blades
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Check for missed spots
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Rinse
The FlexSeries is the best "weapon" you can buy for shaving your head. It's an Amazon best-seller with high ratings and positive reviews.
It includes freebies worth $60, and you can try it risk-free for 30 days.
The FlexSeries Shaving Kit includes free accessories, namely:
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Precision Clipper
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3, 5, 7mm Safety Guards
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Nose & Ear Trimmer
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Exfoliation Brush
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Silicon Scalp Scrubber
The Bottom Line
Shaving cuts the hair and doesn't cause the many "myths" and old wives' tales like making hair thicker, changing hair color, or growing hair faster.
We hope this information helps you decide about shaving your head or seeking other solutions for hair loss.
If you've decided to shave your head, you can read our beginner's guide for baldies, which you'll surely find helpful.
FAQs
Does Shaving the Head Help Hair Regrowth?
Shaving your head won't regrow hair you've already lost. If hair loss is due to male pattern baldness, then you've lost it permanently since there's no cure for pattern hair loss.
If your hair loss is temporary, like telogen effluvium, you can regrow it through various methods but not shaving.
How Long Does a Shaved Head Take to Grow Back?
Generally, hair on our scalp grows from half an inch to an inch per month.
I get stubble on my head a day after shaving, and since I shave once a week, I use a trimmer to cut it first.
Can Shaving My Head Cause Hair Loss or Damage?
Shaving does not cause hair loss or damage. As mentioned earlier, hair loss is mainly due to male pattern baldness, telogen effluvium, or traction alopecia.
Traction alopecia happens when you wear tight hairstyles or hats. Our article on hats causing hair loss discusses this in detail.
Will Shaving My Head Help with Dandruff or Dry Scalp?
Shaving will not help with dandruff or a dry scalp.
Dandruff is caused by the Malassezia fungus, and you treat it with anti-dandruff shampoo. Read more on our article on how to treat dandruff.
Shaving may increase dryness as it removes the natural oils in our scalp. Treating dry scalps involves moisturizing, cleansing, and exfoliating.
Our article on dry scalps details the steps for treating dry scalps.
Can Shaving My Head Reduce Hair Breakage or Split Ends?
Shaving may indirectly help with breakage and split ends by removing the existing damaged hair. New hair growth will be free of breakage and split ends initially, but there's no guarantee that there won't be future breakage.
Is There a Best Time of Year to Shave My Head?
There isn't "a best time of the year" to shave your head. If you're balding, the best time to shave is now! You'll be free from the stress of worrying about hair loss and be more focused on how to improve your new look.
Hair growth isn't seasonal.
Once you shave, though, you'll need to adjust to the season.
During summer, you'll be more prone to sunburn, so a summer hat and some sunscreen would be a perfect one-two punch.
In cold weather, wearing winter hats is an excellent solution to beat the cold and keep your bald head warm.
For fashion tips, you can check out our article on bald men's fashion.
Are Shaved Heads Attractive?
Yes. According to this study, bald men are perceived to be taller, more confident, and more dominant.
Take a look at the trio of Jason, Vin, and Dwayne. What do they have in common? Shaved heads.
I agree with the statement that shaving always looks better than balding.
You look years younger and more confident when shaved rather than being bald on top with hair on the sides.
