Question
Is there any connection between a baby’s sparse hair and the number of times their head is shaved? A 10-month-old baby has had sparse and light yellow hair since birth. After shaving the lanugo at one month old, the hair became even sparser. At 4 to 5 months, the hair started to grow back but remained light yellow and sparse. Then, at 6 months, the baby’s head was shaved again, but this time there was even less hair growth. Some say that the more times a baby’s head is shaved, the thicker and darker the hair will become, and suggest shaving a few more times next June to promote healthy hair growth. Is there any basis for this claim?
Answer
It is not recommended to shave a baby’s head, especially for those of a young age. Shaving the head is not beneficial for hair growth and may even cause severe damage. Shaving the head can harm the follicles, disrupting the normal growth of hair. With short hair, the follicles are more susceptible to external damage, leading to scalp injury and affecting the healthy growth of follicles. Additionally, without hair protection, the scalp is more prone to bacterial invasion. It is advisable to pay attention to the baby’s nutritional intake in daily life, maintain a balanced diet, and provide adequate nutrition so that the baby’s hair will naturally become thicker and healthier.