The One Body Part You Should Never Shave

SHAVING THIS BODY PART TO KEEP UP WITH BEAUTY TRENDS COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT YOU FOR MONTHS.

If you're like most people, you probably made some impulsive hair decisions when you were younger. The ill-fated moment you got razor-crazy or crafty with a pair of scissors might still fill you with dread, but thankfully, hair grows back. Even now, however, you have to be careful where you focus your hair removal, because shaving certain parts of your body can cause lasting damage. And there's one body part in particular you should never shave—your eyebrows. Keep reading to learn why you should put down the razor, and for more pressing grooming advice, discover The One Body Part You Shouldn't Wash in the Shower, Doctors Say.

Shaving any part of your eyebrows might seem pretty out there, but it's more common than you'd think. And that's unfortunate, because the importance of eyebrows is undeniable. They're not just good for adding to aesthetics—yes, bold brows have made a comeback—they also serve other important purposes. "Eyebrows have specific evolutionary functions," says dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD. Shainhouse explains that eyebrows "help keep sweat and moisture from dripping into your eyes; they trap dirt, dust, and debris to prevent it from falling into your eyes; and they help shade your eyes from the sun."

Additionally, they "frame the face" and "help with non-verbal expression of thoughts and emotions," Shainhouse says. If you shave too much (or all) of your eyebrows, you could risk losing these benefits. So, if shaving your eyebrows is so risky, why would anyone go for it? It seems some people are willing to risk it all for style.

"Shaving eyebrows can be a way to shape them or style them for a specific look," says Shainhouse. "It has become trendy to shorten and redirect the tails for a fox-eye look; to shave a fine vertical line about a one-fourth of the way in from the tail end as a design; or to shave them off completely for a blank makeup canvas."

Some of the finished results do look good, but they're not worth the potential damage. If you're even considering taking a razor to your brows, opt for a tweezer or some wax instead. Read on for four ways shaving your eyebrows can negatively affect you, and to avoid more injuries, find out Which Body Part You Should Never Clean, According to Doctors.

1
You could get razor bumps.
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You may have experienced razor bumps before, but it's a whole different issue when they're featured prominently on your face. "If not shaved with proper technique, shaving can pull at the hairs and irritate the follicles, leading to red razor bumps," Shainhouse notes.

She also warns of additional aesthetic issues if you continuously shave your brows. "Repeated, regular shaving of the same area can also cause skin irritation, and secondary texture and pigment changes (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)," she says. And for more useful information delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

2
They might appear thicker when they grow back.
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Once you started shaving, whether it was your legs or your beard, you probably noticed that the hair looked different when it reemerged. This same phenomenon can occur with your eyebrows. "When the hairs grow back in, the ends are blunt because they were chopped off mid-shaft, and they all grow longer at the same time," says Shainhouse. "This can make brows appear more coarse and thick and harsh." And for more hygiene help, This Is How Often You Should Really Be Showering, Doctors Say.

3
You could be missing your eyebrow for months.
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Everyone's hair grows back at a different rate, and your eyebrows may grow at a different pace than the hair on your head, which makes shaving your brows pretty risky. "You can't predict how long it will take for the brows to grow back, because the rate of hair growth is genetic and age-related," Shainhouse says. "If you over-shave, it could be at least six weeks for the hairs to grow back in." And to make sure all your hair is healthy, learn How You're Ruining Your Hair Every Time You Shower.

4
You could cut your skin.
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The skin around and under your eye is super thin, thinner than other spots you shave, which means you could easily nick yourself, potentially resulting in a bloody mess. And to make sure you're treating yourself correctly, find out how You've Been Washing Your Hair Wrong Your Whole Life, Experts Say.