Body hair

Hair grows from a follicle

The visible part of the hair is a keratin shaft produced in a follicle located in the skin. Each follicle follows a cycle of growth, transition and rest. The hairs are not all at the same stage at the same time: an area therefore continues to renew itself even when certain hairs fall out. Growth time also contributes to length differences between body regions.

Mowing does not strengthen regrowth

The clipper cuts the stem at the height of the hoof, while a razor cuts it as close as possible to the surface. Neither multiplies follicles or makes hair grow faster. Regrowth sometimes appears harder because the cut end is blunt, unlike a finer natural tip. This change to the touch does not mean that the hair has thickened.

The visual change mainly comes from the length removed. Short hairs overlap less and reveal more of the skin; their color and density remain important in the result. This may simply make certain contours more visible when hair previously obscured them, with an effect that varies depending on the person.

Why skin can become irritated

A very close cut can encourage ingrown hairs: the hair curls and penetrates the skin as it grows back, which causes inflammation. Thick or curly hairs are more prone to it. Keeping a little length can limit this problem. Pulling out does not systematically protect against it, because wax and tweezers can also cause ingrown hairs.

Immediate redness sometimes comes simply from friction, repeated passes or a small cut. If an area does not tolerate a method well, try a longer height and allow the skin to recover between sessions.

Temporary hair removal and lasting reduction

The wax removes the hair from its base, without systematically destroying the follicle that produces it. The time before the hair becomes visible again is generally longer than after a cut. A depilatory cream acts differently: it degrades the shaft to allow its removal. It also does not remove the follicle, and regrowth resumes after treatment.

The laser targets the pigment in the hair to heat and damage the follicle. Several sessions are necessary, and an interview may still be useful. White, gray or very light hairs do not respond well to this method. The type of laser and its settings must be adapted to the skin to limit burns and changes in pigmentation; lasting reduction does not mean guaranteed disappearance of all hair.