Why Does it Itch When My Hair Grows? (Find Out Here!) 

Have you ever noticed that when you shave your hair and it grows back, you end up with itchy and possibly inflamed, sore skin? This is not uncommon, but you might be wondering why it happens and how you can prevent it. Let’s find out!

Your hair itches when it grows back because the hair follicles are still producing hair, but this time the end is underneath your skin, instead of on the outside of it. Often, it is out of line due to the razor pushing it around, and this results in ingrown hairs that create irritation. The razor may also irritate the follicles themselves, further making them itch.

In this article, we will explore why your hair itches when it’s growing out, and whether new hair growth is the cause of itchiness. This should help you better understand what causes itching and how to avoid it.

Why Does It Itch When My Hair Grows?

The most likely explanation for itchy hair when it is growing out is that the follicle has got twisted during shaving, and the hair is therefore growing into your skin, rather than pushing through to the other side. This will cause your skin to swell up and itch, because it is being constantly prickled by the end of the hair.

When you cut your hair using a razor, you almost always cut the end of the hair at an angle, making it sharp. The sharp end then stabs into your skin, making it sore and itchy. Your body will trigger an immune response, and this causes inflammation and often pus buildup around the area. This is uncomfortable and will cause the skin to swell.

This inflammation usually clears itself and the hair manages to grow out of the skin again, but sometimes you may need to scratch away the skin so that the hair can escape. This can be unpleasant.

Can New Hair Growth Be Itchy?

Yes, the growth of new hairs can be itchy, for the reasons mentioned above. The new hairs will press against the skin, struggling to find exit points, and this causes inflammation. This usually only happens when you have shaved, because shaving often cuts the hair shorter than it should be, and creates a sharp end to it.

You can minimize this by shaving with a sharp, single-blade razor that does not lift the hair away from the skin at an odd angle, and by properly washing and lathering your body first. Use the correct products, such as proper shaving cream, rather than soap (which dries your skin out) or conditioner (not intended for use on sensitive skin).

You should also use hot water, as this softens the hair and makes it cut more easily. This is better for your razor and also reduces the drag on the hair. If the hair isn’t pulled around as it is cut, it should grow back at a straighter angle, reducing the risk of it stabbing into your skin.

You should also exfoliate your skin before you start shaving it so your hairs are exposed and ready to be cut. All of these steps should minimize the itchiness of hair growth and make you more comfortable after shaving.

Conclusion

Hair regrowth tends to itch because the hair follicles get sharpened when they are cut. Cutting them at an angle means they may go below the level of your skin, and will then start stabbing it as they begin to grow out again. This can cause inflammation, swelling, and itchiness, so it’s important to learn the proper technique for shaving to minimize this discomfort.

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