As a dermatologist with over a decade of experience, I've often been asked about the effects of plucking on hair growth. The common belief that plucking hair will make it grow back thicker or darker is a myth. Here's a detailed explanation:


1. Hair Follicle: The structure of a hair follicle is not changed by plucking. Plucking removes the hair at the surface level but does not affect the follicle beneath the skin, which is responsible for hair growth.


2. Hair Cycle: Each hair goes through a growth cycle that includes a growth phase (anagen), a transitional phase (catagen), and a resting phase (telogen). Plucking does not alter this cycle.


3. Regrowth: When a plucked hair regrows, it may appear darker or thicker because it has not been exposed to the elements and has not been subjected to the wear and tear that causes the hair to become finer as it grows out.


4. Breakage: Repeated plucking can lead to breakage at the skin's surface, which can give the appearance of thicker hair, but it's not actually thicker.


5. Ingrown Hairs: Plucking can sometimes cause ingrown hairs, which occur when the hair grows back into the skin instead of up and out of the follicle.


6. Trauma: Plucking can cause minor trauma to the skin, which may lead to inflammation or scarring, but it does not change the hair's growth rate or thickness.

In conclusion, plucking does not stop hair growth, nor does it make hair grow back thicker or darker. It simply removes the hair from the surface of the skin.

read more >>

Conversely, some people say that over-tweezing can destroy the hair follicle, causing it to ultimately not grow back. ... ��They also suggest that washing the scalp and hair infrequently is ideal �� nothing could be further from the truth.�� Conclusion: Tweezing does not cause hair to grow back thicker.read more >>