Don't Pluck or Rub Off Your Baby's Body Hair — Lanugo Falls Off on Its Own

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video warns against a common practice: plucking small babies' hair or rubbing it off with a ball of atta dough. Why it's wrong: There is no need to remove the hair this way. It can cause infection to the baby's skin or damage the skin there. What this hair is: The hair on a small baby's face or body is called baby hair or lanugo, and it falls off on its own after some days. In most babies all of this hair sheds by two months of age. Why it goes on its own: There is no need to remove it forcefully because it depends on the mother's hormones. As soon as the level of the mother's hormones in the body reduces after some days, this hair falls off by itself. Relevant for: parents whose newborn has hair on the face, back, shoulders or body; parents who have been advised to rub off baby hair with atta dough or pluck it; parents asking what lanugo is and when baby body hair goes away on its own; and parents worried about skin infection or damage from removing a baby's hair. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician if your baby has a rash, skin irritation, infection, or if the body hair persists beyond the usual time.