No, shaving baby hair does not make it grow back curly.
The Myth of Shaving and Curl
A common belief in many cultures is that shaving hair will cause it to grow back curlier. However, this is a myth. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. The texture and curliness of hair are determined by genetics and hair follicle shape, not by shaving.
- Genetics determine hair type: Your hair's natural curl pattern is primarily determined by your genes. This genetic predisposition dictates the shape of your hair follicle, which in turn influences how your hair grows out.
- Hair follicle shape: Straight hair grows from round follicles, wavy hair from oval follicles, and curly hair from flat, elliptical follicles. Shaving does not alter the shape of the hair follicle.
- Shaving only affects the hair shaft: Shaving simply cuts the hair shaft at the surface of the skin. It does not affect the root or the follicle beneath the skin's surface, which determines the hair's texture.
The statement "A very common practice in many cultures, however there is absolutely no science behind thinking shaved hair grows back curly" directly refutes the misconception.
