Did you know people spend millions of dollars monthly trying to remove hair on their body? However, hair is a very important part of the body. It’s like our skin but much more flexible and it grows in different patterns on each person.
As we grow older, some people lose their hair while others keep theirs. Some people shave or wax their body hair while others don’t. Why do we have body hair? What does it mean to us?
Read through this article to find out more about why we have body hair and what it means to us.
Why Do We Have Body Hair?
Several factors contribute to body hair growth and they include:
Genetics
Your genes play a major role in determining whether or not you will develop body hair. If your parents had hairy bodies, then you probably inherited their genes.
However, if they didn’t have any body hair, then you won’t be developing any either. This means that genetics plays an extremely large role in the appearance of body hair on our skin.
Hormones
Hormonal changes also play a big part in determining whether or not we will develop body hair. For example, when women start menstruating, their hormones change dramatically. As a result, they may begin to experience more body hair than usual.
In addition, some medications can cause hormonal imbalances which may lead to increased body hair.
Diet
The foods we eat affect our hormone levels. Some foods contain high amounts of certain vitamins and minerals which help regulate hormones.
These include zinc, iron, vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium, and selenium. Other foods contain phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens). Phytoestrogens are thought to mimic estrogen naturally produced by our bodies.
They can therefore interfere with normal hormone production. Foods containing phytoestrogens include soy products, flax seeds, tofu, whole grains, nuts, and beans.
Age
As we age, our hormone levels decrease. This leads to less body hair growth. In fact, most people stop growing body hair after puberty.
However, there are exceptions. Women who are pregnant often continue to grow body hair even though their hormone levels are low. Men usually don’t experience this effect because their testosterone levels remain relatively constant throughout life.
How to Get Rid of Body Hair
There are several ways on how to remove body hair. Here are the top five:
Shaving
This method is very common. It involves removing the hair from the surface of the skin using a razor blade. Most men use electric razors while women use manual ones.
Shaving works well for short hairs but doesn’t work so well for longer hairs.
Waxing
Waxing is another popular way to remove body hair. A wax strip is applied to the area where the hair needs to come off. Then, heat is used to melt the wax away. Once melted, the hair falls out easily.
Waxing is effective at getting rid of long hairs although it does leave behind a sticky residue.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal uses light energy to destroy the follicles of the hair. This process requires multiple treatments over time.
Actually, laser hair removal is one of the best methods available today. However, the cost of this machine may be quite expensive it is important to seek laser hair removal machine rental services.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis involves placing small needles into the skin. Electricity is then passed through the needles causing the follicle to die. This procedure takes about 10 minutes per session.
Electrolysis is only suitable for short hairs.
Depilation Creams
Depilatory creams are designed to break down the outer layer of the hair shaft. The hair is then removed as a result. However, these creams do have side effects such as inflammation, itching, and irritation.
Depilatory creams are generally safe and effective for short hairs. They should be avoided if you have sensitive skin.
Types of Body Hair
Body hair comes in many different forms. There are three main types of body hair:
Terminal Hair
These are the hairs that cover your entire body. They typically grow slower than other types of body hair. Terminal hairs are made up of dead cells called keratin.
Many people find terminal hairs unattractive. However, they’re not actually harmful.
Non-terminal Hair/Vellus
These are also known as vellus or peach fuzz. Non-terminal hairs tend to grow faster than terminal hairs. They make up about 80% of all body hair. They are soft and silky in appearance.
Lanugo Hair
Lanugo hair is the type of hair found in babies. These hairs are extremely fine and soft. Lanugo hair is almost always associated with pregnancy.
The good news is that lanugo hair is harmless. It’s just an indicator of a healthy baby. The bad news is that lanugos can take years to disappear after giving birth.
How Long Does Body Hair Grow?
Hair grows in cycles. Each cycle lasts anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months. During each cycle, new hair will appear on the areas where old hair was previously present.
Hair growth slows during periods of stress. For example, when you exercise, sleep less, or eat poorly, your body produces fewer hormones that control hair growth. This results in shorter hairs. In fact, some people experience hair loss due to stress.
Your hair grows fastest when you’re young. As you age, your hair tends to slow down. However, this isn’t necessarily true. Some women continue to produce more hair as they get older.
When Should You Get Your Body Hair Removed?
There are several reasons why you might want to get your body hair removed. Here are a few examples:
To Look Better
If you want to look better, you may need to remove unwanted body hair. If you don’t, you could end up looking unkempt.
To Feel More Comfortable
You may feel uncomfortable because of the way your body hair looks. Removing it could help you feel more comfortable.
To Prevent Skin Problems
Removing body hair could prevent certain skin problems. For instance, removing pubic hair could reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
To Reduce Itching
Some people say that having body hair makes them itch. Removing it could relieve their discomfort.
Medical Issues
Some medical conditions require the removal of body hair. For example, people who have alopecia (hair loss) often undergo surgery to remove their body hair.
Get Rid of Unwanted Body Hair Today!
Unwanted body hair can cause embarrassment and anxiety. Fortunately, there are ways to eliminate it. One of these methods through laser rays. Lasers work by focusing light into a very small area. This allows the beam to penetrate deep into the skin without causing damage.
We hope you have learned some crucial information on why do we have body hair from our body hair guide.
For more information about body hair and hair removal, visit our blog section to learn more.
