The more you shave, the faster your beard will grow? Doctors refute rumors: It's just an illusion! It doesn't matter whether you shave morning or night or change the knife.
Does androgen concentration affect beard growth? Medical clarification: related to genes, race, androgen receptors
Many men develop the habit of shaving every day in order to look clean and tidy. However, beard often grows out the next day after shaving, which is very disturbing. Dr. Weng Ziyu, a specialist in dermatology at Shuang Ho Hospital in Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare, said in an exclusive interview that, generally speaking, race, genes and the response of androgen receptors to hair follicles are the key factors that determine beard growth. “The impact of androgen on body hair is mainly related to race, multi-gene regulation, and the interaction between androgen metabolic reductase and androgen receptors, rather than the absolute value of androgen!”
Dr. Weng Ziyu pointed out that after puberty, in men, the hair on the mouth, chest, lower abdomen, pubis and other parts of the body is affected by androgen, which changes from fine and soft vellus hair to thick and curly terminal hair; in women, androgen causes The stimulation is mainly manifested by hair growth in the armpits and perineum. However, in women with polycystic ovaries, excessive male hormone stimulation may cause masculine hair growth.
In addition, the role of androgen metabolites and receptors can also explain why when men enter middle age, beard hair follicles will continue to grow, but problems such as male baldness begin to appear on the top of the head. The main reason is that the two types of hair follicles have opposite reactions to androgen receptors. For example, although European and American white people have thick beards, they often experience hair loss in their middle years. “In the same person, the response of hair follicles to the stimulation signal of androgen receptors is to ‘inhibit growth’, while the response of beard hair follicles to the stimulation signal of androgen receptors is to ‘promote growth’. This is the classic ‘paradoxical effect’ (Endocrine Paradox).
Does your beard grow faster and rougher as you shave? Does “seasonal change” also have an impact?
Will your beard grow faster the more you shave? Does the time of shaving affect the growth rate of beard? Dr. Weng Ziyu pointed out that after men go through puberty, male hormones in the body rise rapidly, causing the growth rate of beard to increase. On average, hair can grow 0.3-0.4mm in length a day, and the length of hair in different parts of the body depends on the “hair follicle growth cycle” rather than its “growth rate.”
Dr. Weng Ziyu explained that there have been European studies that have shown that seasonal changes may affect the growth rate of white men’s beards; however, the seasonal divisions in Asia are not obvious, and seasonal changes and differences in day and night length have less impact. In addition, some studies have found that in summer, European men are stimulated by androgens. Not only do their beards grow faster, but their semen volume and sperm activity also increase simultaneously. However, more complete research is needed to confirm this.
Dr. Weng Ziyu explained that even if the beard hair grows outward by 0.1 cm after shaving, it will form obvious stubble, which can easily cause men to have the illusion that their beards “grow too fast” after shaving. Coupled with the use of a razor, the beard will produce an oblique cross-section. The larger cross-sectional area makes it relatively rough to the touch. The melanin expression of the beard also makes the appearance or texture look less tidy. But in fact, the timing and method of using the razor will not affect the growth rate of the beard. However, after shaving, you must pay attention to the care of the epidermis caused by the blade.
Is waxing and hair plucking risky? Doctors reveal “1 method” to inhibit beard growth
Many men suffer from folliculitis and skin inflammation after shaving their beards. Women may also worry about the fine hair around their lips or the growth of hair in their armpits and perineum, which may affect their clothing and appearance. Many people have therefore consulted doctors: Are the popular methods of waxing and plucking hair effective?
Dr. Weng Ziyu said that beeswax hair removal removes hair by uprooting it, which can slightly slow down hair growth. The hair will continue to grow after a period of time, and the slowed growth rate is relatively limited. In addition, the external pulling force caused by hair removal or hair plucking is also It may cause inflammation of hair follicles and even cause scars and pigmentation sequelae. It is basically a more radical approach and has certain risks.
Laser hair removal, which is commonly used in dermatology clinics, uses the principle of melanin in hair follicles to absorb laser, allowing the energy generated by the instrument to destroy hair follicles in the growth phase, which can effectively inhibit hair growth and slow down its growth rate. And the treatment only takes 10 minutes, making it a relatively safe and effective strategy. Dr. Weng Ziyu emphasized that the side effects of laser hair removal are less than those of other physical removals. There may be slight redness and swelling around the hair follicles after the operation, which can be combined with the use of ointment, but it will gradually subside within three days.
Are beard and hair transplant surgeries effective? “4 things” you must do before shaving every day
If you want to make your beard or hair thicker, Dr. Weng Ziyu recommends beard transplantation/hair transplantation surgery. The principle is to plant hair areas that are not easily affected by androgen receptors (such as occipital hair) where you want to improve your beard or hair. In certain parts of the country, the hair density and quantity are sufficient, the utilization rate is high, and the area to be harvested is also smaller. However, beard/hair transplantation is expensive and time-consuming. It is usually used when the desired improvement cannot be achieved after applying hair tonic. You can also discuss with a dermatologist whether it is necessary.
Finally, Dr. Weng Ziyu also reminds men that a little carelessness in shaving may cause folliculitis, skin damage and even wound formation. Therefore, it is recommended to shave along the “hair flow” of the beard and make good use of shaving foam to avoid damage. In addition, the blades also need to be regularly cleaned and replaced. The surface skin after scraping will inevitably be damaged. At this time, you can apply lotion to moisturize, which can reduce subsequent inflammation. If you have any concerns about hair follicle health or hair growth, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist in advance. Do not listen to any Internet rumors or products of unknown origin to avoid further damage to hair follicles.
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