Does Cutting Hair Make It Grow Thicker? The Truth Explained

Does cutting hair make it grow thicker? No. Cutting or shaving hair doesn't change how thick, dark or fast it grows. According to Mayo Clinic, shaving has no effect on the thickness, color or growth rate of hair. However, freshly cut hair has blunt ends that can make it feel coarser and look fuller, which is why the myth has lasted so long. Here's what's really going on, and what actually helps thin hair look thicker.

Why cutting hair doesn't change how it grows

Each hair grows from a follicle beneath the skin. The follicle decides how thick each hair is, what color it is and how fast it grows. The part you cut, the hair shaft above the skin, is made of keratin that isn't alive. Trimming it is a bit like trimming a fingernail: it changes the length, not what's happening at the root.

Why cutting hair seems to make it grow thicker

There are a few good reasons people believe cutting hair makes it thicker:

• Blunt ends. An uncut hair tapers to a fine point. A cut hair ends in a blunt tip, so it feels coarser as it grows out. Mayo Clinic explains that this blunt tip can make regrowing hair seem darker or thicker for a while, even though it isn't.
• Even ends look denser. Over time, hair ends become uneven and thin out. A blunt trim makes all the ends the same length, so the bottom of the hair looks fuller.
• Less weight. Shorter hair is lighter, so it has more lift at the roots and looks fuller on top.
• Fewer split ends. Split, frayed ends look wispy. Removing them makes hair look healthier.

What about shaving your head?

The same applies to shaving. Shaving your head won't make hair grow back thicker, and it won't restore areas that have stopped growing hair. Short regrowth may look darker at first simply because the blunt tips are all the same length and haven't been lightened by the sun yet. That said, a buzz cut or shaved head is a great way to make thinning less noticeable; see our guide to haircuts for a receding hairline.

Do regular trims help hair grow?

Trims don't speed up growth at the root. What they can do is help you keep length. When split ends are left too long, the hair can keep splitting and breaking higher up, so trimming them off regularly can stop you losing length to breakage. For most people, a trim every 6 to 12 weeks keeps ends healthy, depending on how long your hair is and how much heat and color you use.

What actually helps thin hair look thicker

• The right haircut. Blunt bobs and layered lobs for women, textured crops for men. See hairstyles for women with thinning hair on top and hairstyles for men with thinning hair.
• Gentle washing. Shampoo the scalp, condition the ends. Our guide on how to wash thin hair explains why.
• Less heat and tension. Use heat protectant and avoid tight ponytails and buns, which the American Academy of Dermatology links to hair loss.
• Cosmetic coverage. Hair fibers or root powders fill in thin spots for the day.

When thinning isn't just about your haircut

If your hair is getting noticeably thinner, shedding more than usual or falling out in patches, a haircut won't fix the cause. A board-certified dermatologist can find out what's happening. Read how much hair loss is normal to know which signs to watch for.