Shaving Arms: Pros & Cons, Side Effects, and How to Do It Properly

Table Of Content

• Start With the Right Tools
• Use a topical protein treatment
• Best for Damaged Hair: Kérastase Genesis Fortifiant Hair Serum
• Will Other Hair Removal Methods Make the Hairs Grow Back Finer or Softer?
• Finish by Moisturizing Your Skin
• Meet the Experts
• What to look for in a hair growth serum
• Can you increase the anagen phase for hair growth?

Again, the regrowth phase can often create the illusion of hair that is growing in thicker — and therefore darker — since it has a blunt tip once shaved. If you’re not sensitive to fragrance, we love this sweet, honey-and-vanilla-scented barrier-repair cream. It’s packed with peptides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter and resurrection plant, a type of plant that can withstand dehydration for months or even years. One of our editors swears by this pick because it smells incredible while still being gentle enough for their dry, sensitive skin. As we mentioned above, this body wash is a great pick for prepping and priming your skin before you shave. Formulated with salicylic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides, it gently dissolves dead skin cells while helping to soothe and retain skin’s moisture barrier.

Start With the Right Tools

The growth phase for eyelashes, eyebrows, nasal hair, and ear hair is (thankfully) quite short—about a quarter of an inch per month, says Longsworth. They found growth to be about 0.03 millimeters per day or an average of .9 millimeters per month. For reference, that translates to a growth rate of less than 1/25th of an inch per month. When you shave, you’re slicing off dead hair at the surface of the skin. Since shaving doesn’t remove hair under the skin like other hair removal methods do, it’s impossible for you to affect its color, thickness, or rate of growth.

Use a topical protein treatment

Apply minimal pressure to your razor, use short, gentle strokes, and move with the grain. For those with less sensitive skin, Longsworth says you can re-lather the face with some extra shaving cream or gel and finish by gently shaving against the grain. This, she says, will give you the closest possible shave without suffering any nicks or cuts.

Best for Damaged Hair: Kérastase Genesis Fortifiant Hair Serum

All hair follows the same set of growth cycles, explains Hirsch, though the specific cycles differ in both time and hair length depending on the area. The first is the anagen phase, during which growth begins at the root of a hair follicle via blood supply and nutrients. This is followed by the catagen phase, during which the hair transitions from a growing to a resting phase and detaches from the body’s blood supply. Finally, the telogen phase is the inactive phase, when the hair sheds or falls out of the follicle. The time length of each differs depending on the area of the body, which impacts the subsequent amount of hair growth possible in a given area. Finally, if you’re applying hair growth serum in the evening, consider your skin type—since certain ingredients, such as oils, can potentially rub off onto your pillow and be transferred to skin.

Will Other Hair Removal Methods Make the Hairs Grow Back Finer or Softer?

We pull the skin on our faces or legs taut just so razors can whisk away the undesired hairs sprouting on the fertile landscape of our bodies. If shaving isn’t giving you the results you’re looking for, consider talking to a dermatologist about other hair removal options. They might recommend more permanent options, such as waxing or laser removal, depending on skin type, body part, and more. Despite what you may have heard or read, shaving does not affect hair growth. Don’t let this age-old misconception stop you from your preferred grooming habits. Hair gets its start in hair follicles, which are located beneath the skin.

Scratching at the scalp to relieve itching or to remove scales can make it much worse. Once you find an effective treatment for your psoriasis and you stop scratching your scalp, your hair will begin the growth process. Keep in mind that rates of hair growth tend to decline after age 30. Phytochemicals (natural compounds produced by plants) found in several different herbs are a promising option for hair growth. This article provides an overview of effective strategies for promoting the hair growth process. Whatever you choose, just know that, for better or worse, nothing you do will cause your hair to grow back thicker, darker or even faster.

“This will slough away dead surface skin cells, which will allow for a smooth shave and promote surface cell turnover,” in addition to minimizing the risk of ingrown hairs, she explained. Try the CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin, which contains exfoliating salicylic acid in addition to soothing, hydrating ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. We don't know who started the rumour that hair grows back thicker if you shave it off, but mothers have been using it to dissuade daughters from shaving their legs too early for far too long.

For example, we’re willing to bet you’ve heard that shaving makes hair grow back even faster and thicker. High school is a time filled with experimentation and a lot of learning—and we're not just talking about during school hours. For many of us, it’s a time of immense change and self-exploration. And with those many changes (both puberty-related and not) comes the inevitable body hair debate.

Can you increase the anagen phase for hair growth?

If you want to remove unwanted body hair, whatever removal method you choose will usually have some pros and cons. This may depend on the severity of any underlying hair loss conditions, as well as the treatment method. The set includes almond, avocado, castor, coconut, and grapeseed oils. If you’re new to carrier oils, this is a good way to try multiple types without investing in larger bottles of each.

Trying a scalp scrub that helps gently exfoliate the surface while improving moisture and nourishment can be a simple step in your hair care routine. You may use this type of product as needed before conditioning your hair in the shower. At least one study has highlighted that regularly taking supplements with omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and antioxidants can promote thicker hair and less hair loss. And if you’ve heard rumors of a prescription wonder cream that can slow down hair regrowth, well, that’s sort of true — but Dr. Bullock says they’re not really worthwhile.

If you notice a sudden increase in facial or body hair, talk to your doctor. This could be a medication side effect or a sign of an underlying medical condition. Your doctor might also provide advice about various hair-removal techniques. And there’s a longer-term option to consider, especially if you have a lot of unwanted hair that tends to grow back very quickly. Growth within the underarm area is similar to that of the leg region. The hair cycle is around three to six months and, “even if you never shave, there is a limit to how long it can get, ranging from one to two inches in length,” Longsworth says.

Roots of your hairs are formed with the help of proteins and blood. The dark shade of hair regrowth may also be more noticeable than you’re accustomed to. Ingrown hairs — painful, red bumps on the skin — are caused when a shaved hair grows back into the skin instead of straight out.

Supplements aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same way that medications are in the United States. Check with a healthcare provider before trying one out to ensure you're not getting too much of a particular vitamin or nutrient. If you cut the dandelion with scissors or run over it with your lawnmower, it will seem to be gone — for now. Beneath the surface, though, its roots are intact, and a new stem will soon grow. When it makes its way above ground, the dandelion will be visible again. Dr. Bullock delves deeper into what’s really happening when you shear off unwanted stragglers and what you can try instead if you don’t want to deal with stubbly regrowth.

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While hair grows naturally in a cycle, it may be possible to support even quicker hair growth with scalp and hair health products, lifestyle adjustments, and gentle hair care habits. Linda de Zeeuw, master stylist at Rob Peetoom in Brooklyn, suggests massaging your scalp to activate blood flow and to avoid washing your hair more than three times a week. De Zeeuw also warns against overusing dry shampoo—heartbreaking, we know—as it can build up a layer of residue on your scalp and clog hair follicles, preventing new, healthy hair from growing. To minizine risk of irritation, razor bumps and ingrown hairs, our experts recommend shaving in the direction of the hair growth. It’s also important to avoid making multiple passes in the same area over and over, and to rinse your razor between washes. This will help clean the hairs and dead skin cells caught in the blades, giving you a smoother, closer shave.

During phases of intense hormonal shifts (puberty or pregnancy, for example) the thickness of hair may change. Androgens, male sex hormones that are found in both sexes during puberty, may cause a change in hair thickness and texture, but the onset of shaving doesn’t change the hair. Shaving your arms doesn’t offer any health benefits, but some people prefer the look and feel of hairless arms. Instead, look for ingredients that boast anti-inflammatory properties, which stabilize the scalp microbiome and balance excess sebum that often plays a part in hair thinning. The Harklinikken Stabilizing Shampoo features extract from burdock root to sooth and reduce inflammation.