3. Hair and nails may appear grown

If you have ever heard the myth that hair and nails continue to grow after death, it’s time to learn that it’s not true at all. It’s a misconception, and to the uninformed, they may continue to grow.

The scientific explanation is that due to the body’s decomposition and the drying and shrinking of the skin, nails, and hair can appear longer. As the fingers and hands lose hydration, the skin shrinks and exposes the nail, which was previously covered by the skin.

The same applies to hair. The scalp dehydrates, and the skin contracts, revealing the length of the hair that had not yet emerged to the surface. There is no actual growth of hair follicles after death.