Many people, especially women, feel pressure to meticulously groom their eyebrows by plucking, waxing or shaving them into shaped arches. While shaped brows can look polished and put-together, the trend of extremely thin “Instagram brows” raises questions about how beneficial it really is to remove eyebrow hair. Shaving eyebrows, in particular, may seem like an easy shortcut for cleanup and shaping. But experts advise against this method for several important reasons.
What are the risks of shaving your eyebrows?
Shaving the eyebrows comes with some distinct downsides:
- It can cause ingrown hairs: Shaving leaves a blunt cut on the hair, which can then curl back under the skin and create bumps and irritation.
- It triggers faster regrowth: Just like shaving any other body hair, shaving the eyebrows makes the hair regrow back more quickly and often stubbly.
- It can leave scarring: Being so close to the eye area means any nicks or cuts from razors have high risk of scarring the skin.
- It looks unnatural: Shaved brows lack the softness and natural gradation of plucked or waxed brows.
These risks make professional eyebrow shaping a better option than home shaving for most people. However, for those who still wish to remove brow hair at home, tweezing is gentler and slower than using a razor.
Why are eyebrows important?
Eyebrows actually serve some key functions:
- They prevent sweat, water and debris from trickling into your eyes. The arched shape helps divert moisture to the sides.
- They shade the eyes from bright sunlight, which helps improve vision.
- They provide facial expression: Raising, lowering and shaping the brows conveys many non-verbal cues.
- They frame the eyes and balance facial proportions.
In the past, very thin, over-plucked brows were popular. But today’s aesthetic favors a fuller, natural brow shape. Removing too much hair can leave brows looking over-groomed and harsh.
Risk factors for shaving eyebrows
Certain factors put a person at higher risk for issues when shaving their eyebrows:
- Sensitive skin – Razor bumps and ingrown hairs are more likely.
- Excessively thick or fast-growing brows – Can quickly look unruly if shaved.
- History of eczema or contact dermatitis on face – Shaving may cause flares.
- Unsteady hands – Increases likelihood of cutting the skin.
Those with risks above are better off using professional eyebrow waxing/tweezing for occasional shaping. Otherwise, simply trimming long hairs with small scissors is gentler.
Safety tips if you do shave
While not recommended, shaving eyebrows can be done more safely by following tips:
- Work in good lighting to avoid nicks.
- Use a fresh, sterile razor each time.
- Shave in direction of hair growth.
- Use a very light touch and shave only the top 1/3 of hairs.
- Apply aloe vera gel after to soothe skin.
- Exfoliate regularly to prevent ingrown hairs.
- Trim with small scissors for touch-ups.
Never attempt to shave eyebrows with an actual eyebrow razor. These tools have no guard and extreme risk of cutting the skin.
What are the best methods for shaping eyebrows?
The top methods for safe, effective eyebrow grooming include:
- Tweezing: Using clean, sharp tweezers to pluck hairs one at a time. Best for precision work.
- Waxing: Applying softened wax then removing to pull hairs from follicles. Provides longer lasting results.
- Threading: Using thin cotton thread to remove hairs. Gentler than waxing.
- Sugaring: Similar to waxing but uses a sticky natural sugar paste.
These methods allow for a precise shape and gradual hair regrowth. Trimming longer hairs with small scissors can maintain the shape between professional appointments.
The following table compares the pros and cons of each method:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Tweezing |
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| Waxing |
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| Threading |
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| Sugaring |
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As shown, each professional method has advantages over at-home shaving. Consulting a brow expert can help determine the best option for your hair type and desired result.
Are there any alternatives to removing brow hair?
For those who wish to avoid removing hair entirely, there are options to groom brows by:
- Using brow gel to brush hairs upward into place.
- Having a professional trim long hairs with micro scissors.
- Filling in sparse areas with brow pencil, powder or pomade.
These tactics tidy brows and shape them without excessively plucking or disturbing the hair follicles. Some people opt to simply leave their brows alone, especially if hair growth is light and sparse. Each individual must decide their personal preference and comfort level.
What if you’ve already shaved your eyebrows?
For those who have already shaved their eyebrows, either intentionally or unintentionally, take comfort in knowing hair will regrow. In the meantime:
- Apply hydrocortisone cream to calm irritation.
- Don’t pluck or pick at hairs as they grow back.
- Use brow pencil or powder to fill them in as needed.
- See a professional about fixing shape once regrown.
With patience and proper care, shaved brows can return to normal. Changing tactics going forward helps prevent issues.
Conclusion
Shaving the eyebrows may seem like a quick and easy grooming tactic but comes with distinct downsides like irritation, scarring and an unnatural look. Tweezing, waxing, threading and other methods provide better shaped, well-defined brows with less risk involved. Consulting brow experts helps determine the best approach for your specific hair type and goals. While shaving is never recommended, being gentle and taking precautions can reduce likelihood of nicks, bumps and redness if you do proceed. With better understanding of the risks, most people likely conclude the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to shaving eyebrows. Embracing natural shape or using professional services leads to a safer, more polished result.