Does Plucking Activate Hair Growth?

Tweezers are often used for plucking hair.

Plucking, or tweezing, is a common method for removing small amounts of hair. Contrary to the old wives tale, plucking will not activate hair growth.

Definition

Plucking (tweezing) is the process of using tweezers to pull out an isolated hair. The tweezers should be pointed in the direction of the hair growth and should be quickly pulled back in a smooth motion to properly remove hair, according to the Hair Boutique website.

Misconception

The popular belief that plucking and shaving hair makes it grow back thicker is false, according to Snopes, a website that debunks rumors.

Fact

Tweezing hair repeatedly can actually prevent hair growth, according to Hair Boutique.

Explanation

Hair color, thickness and location on the body depend primarily on genetics, according to Mayo Clinic. However, plucking hair can damage the hair follicle, reducing growth, according to Hair Boutique.

Considerations

Sudden hair growth may actually be due to a medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or Cushing's disease, or a medication like danazol, cyclosporine or minoxidil, according to Mayo Clinic. The website recommends visiting a doctor if facial or body hair suddenly increases.

References

• Hair Boutique: Hair Tweezing Tips
• Snopes: Thick Talk
• Mayo Clinic: Does Shaving Make Hair Grow Back Thicker?

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Hirsutism