Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For concerns regarding scalp health, please consult a medical professional.
Ever worried that your plucked hair won’t grow back again? Taking tweezers to your eyebrows is common, but lots of people pluck out follicles along their hairline and other parts of their scalp, as well.
Sometimes it’s deliberate, sometimes it’s an accident—over-plucking, anyone?—and at other times, there aren’t even tweezers involved.
You can lose a patch or thatch of hair for any number of reasons. Losing hair with the follicle bulb attached usually occurs when your hair has been pulled in some way, however.
Typically, that’s either a purposeful act, such as with plucking, or it may occur due to a fight or another incident. Unless there’s been some type of underlying damage, your hair will grow back regardless.
In most cases, that little white bulb is a “club hair” from the resting phase, so it looks dramatic but it does not mean you killed the root.
If the end looks dark, bloody, or has a long jelly-like coating, that can mean the hair was pulled out more forcefully, but the follicle still usually stays inside the scalp.
Encouraging Regrowth After Plucking the Follicle Bulb
People who pull, wax, thread, or pluck hair often worry about how or if it will grow back. When you pluck your hair, even when you’re just trying to get your eyebrows on fleek, then your hair will typically grow back in the same pattern.
That’s not to say that plucking your hair will make it grow faster, but the hair will 100 percent return. You just have to wait for it to grow, which happens so slowly that it often seems like you permanently messed up your brow line or hairline.
In actuality, the follicle stays under your skin (about an eighth of an inch down). That’s why you have to tug hard on your hairs to pull them out from the root. That root-like white bulb is actually a “club hair.” It means the hair was in the resting phase and ready to shed naturally, so you did not pull out the whole follicle or “kill” the root.
Sometimes the hair comes out with a clear or white jelly-like coating extending up the shaft. This is just the root sheath (a protective layer), not the root itself. Losing this does not stop the hair from growing back.
You’re not in danger of your hair not growing back unless there’s been severe damage. Instead of waiting impatiently for signs of life, nurture your follicles.
Note: As the new hair pushes through the surface of your skin, the area might feel itchy (often around month 3 or 4). This can be a good sign that growth is happening. Do not scratch it, as this can damage the new hair or irritate the follicle. Tap the area gently if it bothers you.
#1: Ban Bleach
Honestly, when you’re dealing with plucked hair and potentially irritated follicles, you need to let your scalp rest.
Follow the 72-hour rule: avoid bleach, hair dye, relaxers, perms, and strong chemicals for at least 72 hours after plucking. An empty follicle is basically a tiny open wound, so chemicals can sting, irritate, and even stain the skin if the barrier is disrupted.
#2: Turn off the Heat
Yeah, your hair dryer and straightening iron are modern-day miracles, but as they help you to create a killer coiffure, they’re also weakening your hair. Try to let your hair air dry whenever possible and put down the irons.
#3: Keep the Follicle Clean
An empty follicle is a tiny open wound. Don’t touch it with dirty fingers. Swipe the area gently with witch hazel to help keep it clean. Do not apply heavy lotions or oils for 24 hours.
Also, keep an eye out for ingrown hairs. If the new hair grows sideways into the skin, you might see a red bump. Do not pick at it or try to pop it with a needle, as this can cause scarring. Apply a warm compress to help the hair surface naturally.
#4: Camouflage the Gap
Waiting for regrowth takes time. To hide the spot now, change your part. A messy zig-zag part hides gaps better than a straight line.
You can also use root spray. A quick spritz of tinted root concealer (after the spot has healed for about 2 days) can make a bald patch look much smaller. If you prefer powders, choose a product made for roots rather than regular eyeshadow, as eyeshadow can look chalky and may transfer with sweat.
In short, even if you’ve plucked hair that has the follicle bulb attached, it will grow back. You didn’t make it permanently disappear.
FAQs
The hair follicles aren’t typically affected by plucking. Hair that’s ripped out might cause damage to the hair follicles. In that scenario, they might need time to recover, but the follicle itself usually doesn’t have to “regrow.”
Yes. The white bulb usually indicates a resting telogen “club hair.” The follicle remains inside the scalp and will start a new hair cycle.
The first step is managing the impulse to pull. Once pulling stops, hair generally recovers over time. If you have been pulling for years or you notice shiny, poreless skin in the area, see a dermatologist to check for scarring. Oils can support scalp comfort, but they cannot fix the compulsion.
They don’t. A white bulb is usually a “club hair,” which means the hair was already in the resting phase and ready to shed. Sometimes you may also see a clear or white jelly-like coating along the hair (the root sheath). That looks scary, but it is not the organ that makes hair.
Yes. Once the infection is gone, your hair can grow back normally as long as the inflammation didn’t permanently damage the follicles. Try to treat folliculitis early to reduce the risk of scarring.
Usually, you are seeing a hair bulb (the base of the hair), not the whole follicle. The follicle stays in the scalp and starts a new cycle, but visible regrowth can take weeks to months depending on the area and your hair growth rate.
It can. Repeated plucking can damage the follicle over time and may lead to permanent thinning, especially along the hairline and nape.
Yes, as long as the hair follicles are still alive and not scarred.
If the skin is shiny and smooth and you cannot see pore openings, the follicles may be scarred shut (scarring alopecia). In that case, hair may not regrow, so it’s best to see a dermatologist for an exam.
First, stop the pulling/plucking and keep the area clean. Regrowth takes time. If the spot is on the scalp and you suspect pattern thinning, ask a clinician whether treatments like minoxidil are appropriate. If the skin looks shiny and poreless, get checked for scarring.
More than likely, you’ve pulled out a hair bulb, which is white, but not the hair follicle itself. The follicle is a small structure under the skin where the hair is produced. It’s not likely to get pulled out.
Avoid plucking the scalp, hairline, and nape. These hairs are programmed to grow long. Repeated plucking here can damage the follicle and lead to permanent thinning (traction alopecia).
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