If you spend a lot of time on the Tiktok app, you may have noticed that people on Tiktok love to experiment with different eyebrow shapes. Every few times you surf Tiktok, you will come across someone who has scraped a small slit in the outer corner. Occasionally, you’ll see someone shaved off the tail for a flat, upturned shape. And there are a few people who shave their eyebrows.
It is possible to use a razor to shave eyebrows, but it also has its good and bad sides like all other beauty trends. So I asked the experts to analyze all the pros and cons of shaving eyebrows (even just a fraction of them). Here’s everything you need to know including how you can safely and effectively shave your eyebrows.
Are the eyebrows after growing back the same as the original eyebrows?
This is the question many people ask when debating the big change of eyebrows. Like shaving other areas of the body, shaving your eyebrows can have a negative effect on the skin underneath. Specifically, it can cause a razor rash, which is common on the legs and armpits. “Shaving is the process of removing a hair from the surface of the skin, the hair follicle, because somewhere has become a beauty standard,” explains dermatologist Mona Gohara in Connecticut. So that area of skin gets irritated and creates a bump as a form of protest – this happens on the legs, bikini area, armpits and absolutely happens on the eyebrows.”
Razor rash doesn’t just cause discomfort; Gohara says it can lead to hyperpigmentation. And shaving the same spot over and over can cause scarring in the long run. “If the razor bumps and causes constant inflammation, you can scar your hair follicles,” she explains. But be aware that this comes from the inflammation, not the shaving itself.” That said, using the right tools and techniques when shaving eyebrows is extremely important.
The length of time it takes for eyebrows to grow back after shaving is unpredictable, it’s genetic. “The speed at which eyebrows grow is a genetic factor,” says Gohara. Some people’s eyebrows grow faster than others, but in general, the growth cycle of eyebrows is about 4 to 6 weeks.”
Shaving your eyebrows will not harm the skin if it is done carefully. According to Gohara, the idea that shaving your eyebrows causes hair to grow back coarser or thinner than usual is not true. She explains: “Hair thickness is also genetic, and over time, hair lengthens and thins. But that has nothing to do with hair removal methods – it’s age.”
Faces without eyebrows are easy to do makeup
One of the biggest advantages of having partial or no brows is that it creates a nice blank canvas for makeup. If you’re the type of person who likes to keep things simple, eyebrow shaving might not be for you. Otherwise, you can get a lot of benefits from eyebrow removal. “If you’re a brow extremist and love to be adventurous with fashion, makeup and hairdo, this trend could be for you,” says Robin Evans, New York City brow artist. .
Without the hair around the brow bone, the possibilities for creating a dramatic look are endless. You can use that blank canvas to choose your own brow shape and elevate your brows. However, Evans and New York City brow artist Sania Vucetaj both point out that you can experiment like this without shaving your brows by applying concealer over the areas you want ( both recommend trying before shaving anything).
What tools should you use?
To prevent the razor rash and scarring that Gohara mentioned earlier, you’ll need to make sure you have the right tools and products before you do anything. If you want a brow-free look, Gohara recommends using a single- or double-edged razor to shave. Shaving cream is also an absolute must, she says.
Gohara explains why she recommends shaving cream with a metonymy: hair follicles are like a home to the eyebrows, and they tend to fall out when plucked. “When you add shaving cream, it’s like hair is being gently removed from its roof,” she says. Without shaving cream, it’s like someone stepped in and yanked it out causing damage to its skin.” In other words, that added lubricant makes the waxing less irritating to the skin.
If you only shave a small portion of your brows, Evans recommends using a buffing tool, which will give you more control over shaving. Gohara agrees that these types of tools are suitable for use in this case; they just need to be used with care.
Your face would look very different without eyebrows
Eyebrows may seem like a small part of a grand scheme, but removing all or part of your brows can affect your face. After all, the eyebrows are there for a biological reason. “Browns help protect the skin from perspiration, and some speculate that the direction of the eyebrows guides sweat and moisture away from the eyes,” explains Gohara. And they keep debris out of the eye sockets.”
In addition to the risk of sweat and debris, your appearance can also be affected without eyebrows. Vucetaj says eyebrows are there to create your face, and that’s why she likes the full and symmetrical look. She points out that completely shaving your eyebrows can impact how you express emotions. “A face without eyebrows disappears from the frame,” she said. According to Evans, removing the tail of the eyebrows can also have a big impact on the face. “Shaving part of the tail will give you shorter, unnatural-looking brows,” she says. And the proportions of the eyebrows – with the eyes, the shape of the face changes everything.”
That said, shaving off the tail can have its advantages, depending on your natural brow shape. “Lifting the back of the brow will straighten the brow, so you lose its curve,” explains Vucetaj. It can be beneficial for people who feel their brows are heavy in the back, so you shave a bit slimmer to suit many faces.”
However, the style and opinion of the brow experts may not be right for you, so feel free to consult their advice. There are many people who choose to completely shave their eyebrows simply because they love the look. Beauty has no rules and that also applies to eyebrows. Whether you like having a bit of a notch on your brows or don’t want to at all, your personal preference is all that matters. Just make sure to take care of the skin underneath so your brows can grow back whenever you want.
