Every enlistee gets the same welcome to National Service: a buzzcut, often accompanied by an uncle or barber confidently claiming it'll make your hair "grow back thicker." It's one of Singapore's most widely repeated hair myths — let's actually check whether it holds up, and where genuine hair support like GreenKare Hair Regaining fits in for anyone dealing with real thinning.
Buzzing hair doesn't change how it grows back
MythHair thickness, growth rate, and colour are determined by the follicle beneath the skin, not by cutting the visible shaft — shaving or buzzing hair has no effect on the follicle itself, so it grows back exactly the same as it would have otherwise, just starting from zero length.
The "thicker" illusion comes from the cut itself
Optical illusionFreshly cut hair has a blunt tip rather than the naturally tapered end of unshaven hair, which can make regrowth feel coarser or look denser at the stubble stage — a temporary visual and textural effect that fades as hair grows longer and the tips naturally taper again.
NS itself can be a genuine stress trigger, though — separate from the haircut
Worth knowingThe physical and psychological demands of Basic Military Training — disrupted sleep, intense physical exertion, being away from usual routines — are exactly the kind of stressors that can trigger telogen effluvium a few months later. If shedding shows up mid-NS or after, it's more likely linked to this than to the haircut itself.
💬 Did you believe the "thicker hair" myth before NS?
Genuinely believed it, heard it but doubted it, or first time hearing this take? Share in the comments — this myth seems to get passed down every generation.
Supporting hair through demanding periods
Whether it's NS, a stressful work stretch, or any demanding period, genuine hair support works from within rather than through haircut myths. GreenKare Hair Regaining combines Polygonum Multiflorum, Lycii Cortex, Cuscuta, and other traditional ingredients with Oryzanol and Vitamin B Complex to support hair growth and scalp nourishment during exactly these stretches.
GreenKare Hair Regaining
A TCM-rooted botanical formula for hair growth support and scalp nourishment
Learn more →The bottom line
Buzzing your hair for NS doesn't make it grow back thicker — that's a persistent myth based on how freshly cut hair looks and feels, not actual follicle biology. If hair loss does show up during this period, it's more likely genuine stress-related shedding, and daily support like GreenKare Hair Regaining can help.
This article is for general health information only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Please speak with a dermatologist if you notice persistent hair thinning.