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Does hair keep growing after death?

No. Hair growth needs living cells burning glucose with oxygen, and that stops within minutes of death.

Watch the answer29s · Nora, our educator
Transcript

Hair keeps growing after you die. Undertakers hear this constantly, and it's false. Growth needs living cells burning sugar with oxygen, and that stops within minutes. What actually happens is the skin dries and pulls back. Stubble that was hidden under the surface becomes visible, so a face can look like it grew a beard. The hair didn't move. The skin did.

What actually happens is that the skin dries and retracts, so stubble that was already below the surface becomes visible. The face can look like it grew a beard. The hair did not move — the skin did.

The honest next step for most hair questions is a measured look at your own scalp. The Uberhair hair check is free, takes about 3 minutes from your phone, and your photos go to the doctor you choose.

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Uberhair connects you with hair and skin providers and helps you prepare for your visit. It does not provide medical advice — always talk to your provider about your care.