What do you think about shaving a baby's head? My baby's dad originates from Bangladesh where it is customary to do this. He seems to think that it will make baby's hair grow back thicker, i'm skeptical! Anyway baby had his head shaved at 4 months old, it was fine and he didn't get a rash or any cuts. Now he wants to do it again, he's 6 months old now. What do you think, does it make it thicker or not?
2007-03-08 06:02:47 · 31 answers · asked by shaz 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
No, it doesn't, and yes, it does seem to work.
The hair-follicle (correct spelling?) inside the skin has no idea that the hair has been cut off.
However, since hairs start thin and colourless, and are thicker and blacker in the middle, cutting the hair means it comes back up at the point where you cut it - the black, thicker middle.
If you yank a hair out, it has to start all over again, with the soft tip, slowly builing up to a strong hair.
What you are doing is curring that tip.
It's the same as a woman's leg: Shave it, and the hair continues to grow where it was cut off; touch the sharp end, and you may conclude the hair is stronger and thicker than it was before.
The hair hasn't changed, however; you've just removed the softer tip.
Last example: The top of a tree is nice and round and soft. Cut the tree off, and you're left with the stem. The bit that is now the top of the tree is the stem; it's much harder than the origininal top, but the stem is no thicker than it was before.
2007-03-08 06:24:14 · answer #1 · answered by mgerben 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just a myth, I am Mexican and my family seems to think the same thing too! but I told told them there is no way I am shaving my baby's hair! This is a common myth in many countries though....
http://www.hairfinder.com/info/babyshair.htm
One myth concerning baby hair is that shaving a child's head will cause the hair to grow back thicker and full than before. However, there is no evidence that hair grows faster or thicker from shaving. It merely appears to grow faster.
2007-03-08 06:15:13 · answer #2 · answered by mcm 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it is only a myth that the hair will grow back thicker. Babies need their hair to hold in body heat and protect their head from the sun and other elements. I personally would not recommend shaving it's head, although the choice is yours not mine.
2007-03-08 06:13:47 · answer #3 · answered by I know, I know!!!! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At first the baby's hair will SEEM thicker, because the ends of the hair have been cut at their thickest point. Once the hair starts growing again, it will be the same as before you cut it.
2007-03-08 06:11:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
actually, shaving baby's hair is just one's country's tradition - like in bangladesh & also here in thailand...my mother-in-law shaved my 3 children's hair when they are as young as 1 month old in their belief that their hair will grow beautiful and becomes thicker....but the truth is...all my children had a very thick hair the moment i bring them out from my womb.., the only thing is that when it grows backs you can easily see if your kid will have a curly or straight her ;>
i really dont believe that if you shave your baby's hair it will become thicker ;>
2007-03-08 06:14:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The hair will grow back even, which might create a thicker appearance. Go for it if you don't have that big of a problem with it!
2007-03-08 06:06:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, shaving hair does not make it grow back thicker. If it did, then why don't all balding or thinning old men shave their heads to make it grow??? Short hair only seems to be tougher than long hair.
http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/hairgrow.asp
2007-03-08 06:10:45 · answer #7 · answered by schnipps 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to be a director at a daycare.. we had a family of three little latino girls.. they were beautiful girls, and one thing I noticed with the older two is that they had the most beautiful, thick hair, even the style/cut looked amazing.. and the youngest one, who was only a toddler had a SHAVED head!.. So I had to ask, .. the mom told me that she did it with all of her girls so that their hair would all be healthy ,even and unbroken... SO I dont know if thats the reason.. but I did want their hair. Good luck.
2007-03-08 06:08:41 · answer #8 · answered by callmecouture 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I kno that wen people shave facial hair and body hair (legs, Arms, etc.) it grows on darker and/or thicker, But i have never heard about peoples heads growing back that way. But He already did it to the baby, so why do it again. lol. but if you're not comfortable dont do it. hopefully your baby's daddy understands.
2007-03-08 06:13:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi, I am a hairstylist and I was told by my friend from India when she asked me to do this to her six month old that it is also a religious custom. I do believe that because when babies are born their hair tends to be all different lengths and thicknesses (not to mention that it thins from lying in a crib turning head back and forth) that it really just may be one reason why the Eastern population seems to have thicker more luxurious hair not to meniton their diet and heritage. It can't hurt !
2007-03-08 06:08:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋