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  1. UAMS Health
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  3. Do a Person’s Hair and Fingernails Continue to Grow After Death?

Do a Person’s Hair and Fingernails Continue to Grow After Death?

Hair and fingernails may appear longer after death, but not because they are still growing.  Instead, a persons fingernails and hair may appear longer because the skin around them has retracted, according to the Dermatology Clinic at UAMS.

After death, dehydration causes the skin and other soft tissues to shrink. This occurs while the hair and nails remain the same length. This change in the body creates the optical illusion of growth people observe.

To learn more about the personalized care provided by our doctors using state-of-the-art equipment and technology, please visit our medical services section.

Posted by UAMS Health on March 8, 2019

Filed Under: Medical Myths

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