Does Cold Make Leg Hair Grow Faster Truth

Does Cold Make Leg Hair Grow Faster

We all know that time of the year in winter, when we look down and vow to ourselves that we are growing a leg of hair. You shave, and in two days you can see it growing thicker and blacker than ever. Of course the thought strikes us: Does cold make legs grow hair?

The short answer is no. The cold itself has no effect on your leg hair growing faster but there are reasons why it may appear that way or even feel that way. In order to make it to actually make sense without the necessity of a science degree, we need to break it down.

Whence This Idea Brought Light Proceeds

This is an old myth that has been going around. Maybe your mother or best friend said or maybe you have just realized that your legs are hairier when it is cold outside. It is not by chance that your body responds to cold in manners that can make you believe that your hair is growing at a faster rate.

During winter we put on heavier clothes and do not shave within the period and the hair is more noticeable because of the pale skin. Add to that dry air that makes hair feel coarser and it is easy to suspect that the cold accelerates the entire process. But in the real sense that is merely all illusion and not biology.

What really regulates Growth of Hair

The hair growth begins in tiny structures beneath your skin referred to as hair follicles. They all have their specific rhythm which is the hair growth cycle comprising three phases.

Anagen -the growing stage.

Catagen– short transition period.

Telogen -the rest period preceding the loss of the hair.

The duration of your anagen stage is determined by your genes hormones and blood flow. This is why the body hair on the legs of some people grows back in two days and others can pass one week without any stubble.

The cycle is not that much affected by temperature. What does? The changes in hormones emphasize nutrition and the quality of skin care.

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What the Science tells about Temperature and Hair Growth

And has anyone really studied this? Surprisingly, yes.

One of the recent studies that were published in the Journal of Dermatological Science in 2015 examined the impact of various temperatures on hair follicles. It discovered that hair cells thrive well in constant warm conditions that are not cold within the body.

When cold your blood vessels become narrow and that is why your skin turns pale or you have goosebumps. When you have less blood, you have reduced nutrients to your hair follicles that in turn slow down things not speed them up.

Dermatologists agree too. According to Dr Joshua Zeichner who is a board certified dermatologist in New York, says.

Cold does not multiply the hair growth rate. The body saves heat by supplying less blood to the skin which in theory can slow down the growth of the hair.

And your legs are fuzzy, when it gets cold, and you can’t see the blame. Shame biology and a shave off your razor.

What Happens to Your Hair and Skin in the Cold

The cold air is dry and dry skin implies dry hair. As the moisture is lost by your skin the little cuticles on your hair shaft raise causing each strand to become coarse and thicker to the touch. Such a crass feeling may deceive you that there is actually extra hair.

And then there’s goosebumps. When your body is cold little muscles will be underneath the hair to capture the heat. This causes the hair to stand straight up giving the impression that it has just grown longer or thicker. But after warming all things return to their usual state.

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The True Cause of the Noticing More Leg Hair in Winter

At least there are some practical reasons that you can identify that make you realize your leg hair more in winter and none of them are that your body is growing extra fur to keep you warmer.

You shave less. During the times when it is freezing many of us go without shaving weeks or months. When we finally look we see that it has grown faster.

The skin is pale and has more contrast. Tan skin covers in the summer better. Dark hair sticks out in winter when the hair is pale.

Dry air makes hair stiff. When hair is stiff, it seems to be thicker, and hence growing faster.

So it is not that your hair is actually growing quicker you are just noticing it.

Is Cold Beneficial to Hair Follicle Blood Flow?

They believe that cold improves circulation but in this instance this is what is occurring. It is your body that shields your inner heart and organs by lowering blood flow towards your skin. This is the reason why your legs and hands become cold.

Having less blood flowing to your legs causes the hair follicular to receive fewer nutrients and thus there could be a slight reduction in growth in colder seasons.

It is one of these body tricks that make us think the opposite of what we anticipate and it keeps the myth going.

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Is Temperature Susceptible to Hair Texture or Hair Density?

Although a temperature does not influence the rate at which a hair grows it may influence its feel.

Cold dry air extracts the moisture in your skin as well as your hair leaving each fiber coarse and split. On the other hand, warm and damp air characteristic of summer preserves moisture in hair thus making it soft and flat.

This is why your leg hair is able to feel thicker during cold weather not because it is growing thick but due to drier conditions, and also the hair stands on end.

What Really Makes Leg Hair Grow Faster

To discuss the real influencing factor of hair growth. These are proven factors.

Direct effects of hormones such as testosterone and other androgens are the thickness and speed in the hair of the legs.

You can either thank or blame your family who has led you to have a certain rate of hair growth.

Deficiency of protein iron or vitamin D in the diet may reduce the growth of hair.

Healthy skin healthy follicles.

And no shaving does not make the hair grow up thicker. It only seems to be so because shaving leaves the hair bluntly cut so that it grows harder at the tip.

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What Slows Down Hair Growth

Why do your leg hairs grow so slowly here, do you wonder? The following are the ones which are most likely to be suspected.

Dry skin or dehydration

 Bathing or scolding shaving products.

 Menopause or hormonal changes e.g. birth control.

 Stress or poor diet

Cold weather can put this list even further and not freeze your follicles to work hard but it can just dry out everything.

Wearing Skirts in the Cold Winter

Your legs should be treated like your face in particular in occasions of cold weather.

Use a moisturizer after taking a shower. Apply a lotion to the body using ceramides shea butter or urea in order to lock in moisture.

Exfoliate gently once a week. This maintains pores hygienic and avoids ingrowth of hairs.

Use lukewarm, not hot water. Hot showers are wonderful but they deprive your skin of the natural oils.

A healthy body of water is making your leg hair softer, smoother and easier to handle regardless of the time of the year.

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How to deal with Winter Hair Growth: Dermatologist Advice

Dermatologist Dr Hadley King suggests that moisturizing shaving cream should be taken instead of foams or gels in winter. These cushion the skin as well as prevent micro cuts which may cause irritation.

Provided that you wax exfoliate 24 hours pre and post. And use falls a healing balm or oil succeeding redness.

Her favorite ingredients include shea butter ceramides glycerin and coconut oil all ideal in maintaining healthy and soft winter legs.

Universal Myths in Hair Growth that You can Disregard

It is time to get some things straight.

Hair grows at a faster rate in cold weather. No it doesn’t.

Shaving thickens hair. It merely ends sharp with no change in rate of growth.

Oils can grow hair overnight. No magic potion that will make your follicle hurly burly.

Constant care and patience is the only thing which works.

In case You want Leg hair to grow slowly

We have dermatologist approved safe methods of reducing regrowth.

Laser hair removal is applied to the hair follicles and suppresses growth in the long run.

Waxing and sugaring depilitate hair at the root, thus it grows more slowly.

Some lotions such as those using soy extract slow down hair growth when regularly applied.

Requesting staying hydrated and avoiding harsh exfoliation is also an effective way to avoid rough regrowth and ingrowns.

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The Final Truth Cold Doesn’t Grow Hair Care Does

That is the point here, cold weather does not increase the growth rate of your leg hair. This may appear to be so due to dryness that did not necessitate shaving and non finer hair. However, science dictates that cold in fact slows the circulation and this can make growth a bit slow.

To have less coarse hairy legs in the year round you should not pay so much attention to the temperature but pay more attention to the skin care of hydration and intelligent shaving.

Climate is like consistency every time.

FAQ

1. Will being in cold air cause my leg hair to grow faster?

No it doesn’t. The cold slows down the blood flow in your legs and this slightly slows growth rather than accelerates it.

2. What is it about my hairy leg when it gets thicker in winter?

The cold air dries up your skin and hair and leaves every hair coarse. The rugged texture produces the impression of more thick or faster growing hair.

3. Is hair growth retarded by staying in a warm place?

Not directly. Warmth enhances blood flow that may support healthy follicles though it does not make much difference in rate of growth.

4. Is a cold shower good for growing hair?

Cold showers enhance circulation once you get warmed again yet there is no evidence to show that they stimulate hair to grow faster. They are however able to make the hair shiny and close down the pores.

5. Are there any changes in regrowth brought about by winter shaving?

No shaving does not have any influence on the follicle. It merely clips the hair that is replaced with a blunt cut that is thicker.

6. Why do the hair appear to grow faster upon the legs than upon the arms?

Arm hair is not very sensitive to hormones like the leg hair follicles. That is why they become thicker and even faster.

7. Is there a variation in the growth of hair between seasons by the use of hormones?

Not really. Temperature is less dependent on hormones, whereas age stress or medication changes them.

8. Will diet increase/decrease the rate of growth of leg hair?

Yea an animal-based diet with a lot of protein, iron, zinc and vitamin D helps in hair growth. Weaknesses may decelerate it.

9. How can I take good care of my legs during wintertime?

Take a shower, hydrate daily and do not use rough soaps or hot showers. This maintains the strength of your skin barrier and makes your hair soft.

10. How to prevent fast growing leg hair is the question.

You can either retard it using waxing laser procedures or growth inhibiting creams but you cannot prevent it permanently without professional intervention.

Cold weather may give an impression that your leg hair is growing faster but science takes the blame as it is an illusion. Pay attention to good skin care hydration and consistency as that is what counts.