Everyone who’s following celebrity news has read at least one headline about Bella Hadid’s eyebrows. The trend of shaving the tail off and drawing it back on completely straight and upturned may be the signature look of this supermodel, but it was never limited to just the high fashion world.
More and more people are opting to try it since this style of brows creates a lifting effect on the face and makes the eyes appear more cat-like. But before running to grab your razor, you may ask yourself will my eyebrows grow thicker if I shave them?
In this article, we answer the question does shaving your eyebrows make them grow back thicker and how to safely shave your brows at home. So, let’s get to it!
Does Shaving Affect the Growth of Brow Hairs?
No.
Shaving any hair on your body doesn’t have an effect on the hair itself, since it is just the mechanical act of cutting above the surface of the skin. This is true for your eyebrows, facial hair, and any other body hair – even the one on your head!
However, the illusion of thicker hair after shaving is a real thing. The natural tip of an eyebrow hair is thin and pointy, possibly worn out by friction. But when you shave, that tip gets removed, and you’re left with a very blunt ending that appears darker.
This is what makes it seem like the hair is thicker when in reality, shaving can’t affect the thickness or growth rate of eyebrow hair.
Why You Should(n’t) Shave Your Eyebrows
Other than it being a stylistic choice, there are certain benefits to shaving your brows in comparison to other grooming methods such as threading or traditional plucking.
The main one is that you have complete control over the shape and that the process is completely painless, whereas other methods can be pretty uncomfortable. On top of that, no aftercare is necessary – just apply a bit of moisturizer!
On the other hand, shaving your brows has some drawbacks too. For example, you’re at risk of accidentally nicking or cutting the skin if you’re not being extra careful.
Similarly, a little bit of redness or irritation can happen, but that can be easily prevented with the right tools, preparation, and aftercare. It’s also important to note that you need more practice to get the hang of it.
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How to Shave Your Eyebrows
Like we previously mentioned, shaving your brows takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it it’ll come as second nature.
Whether you want to shave off the tail of your brows and try out the popular straight brow look, or completely shave off your eyebrows following the Doja Cat no eyebrow trend, you’ll want to follow these instructions to make sure you get the best results:
Step 1: Getting the Right Tools
Consider whether you want to use a standard razor or an eyebrow one, which is essentially a dermaplaning tool.
Although the standard razor is safer and you probably already have some experience using it, the eyebrow one is specifically designed to give you more control.
Remember to never shave on dry skin. You can use any shaving cream or oil you normally do for other body parts, but shaving foam may not be the best choice here since you won’t be able to see what you’re doing, and we all know that precision is key when it comes to your eyebrows.
Step 2: Using the Razor Correctly
Opting for a regular razor is best if you want to shave the tail off completely, whereas the eyebrow razor (or dermaplaning tool) is better for regular grooming.
If you want to get into maintaining the brows with an eyebrow razor, then make sure you always hold it at a 45-degree angle – that’s the safest way that allows the most control.
For the best results, make sure your razor is always clean and sharp – it’s best you buy a new one every 1-3 months. This, of course, depends on how often you use it, so if it starts to feel blunt, it’s time for a new one.
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Step 3: Aftercare
There’s not a lot of aftercare when it comes to eyebrow shaving – there’s just one step you can take.
After you’re done shaving your brows, apply your daily moisturizer to minimize the chances of redness, irritation, or dry skin. This is especially important if you used anything other than oil to lubricate the skin prior to shaving.
So, Does Shaving Your Eyebrows Make Them Grow Back Thicker?
Our definitive answer is no. Although it may seem like the hair is thicker after shaving due to the seemingly coarser feel, it’s not that the hair is thicker, it’s that it’s just flatter at the end.
Using shaving as a method to groom or completely change your brow look can be a good alternative to other methods, so if the thickness is the only thing you’re worried about – we say go for it!
