We get to the root of it all by exploring the pros and cons of each and by answering other body hair questions.
Armpit hair, also referred to as axillary hair, gets its start from puberty.
Around ages 10–12 for females and 11–14 for males, the pituitary gland triggers a group of hormones called androgens in the ovaries and testicl*s.
These sex hormones cause the apocrine sweat glands to start functioning (the body has one other sweat gland: the eccrine, which is found in the palms and soles of the feet).
The apocrine sweat gland is associated with hair follicles in the pubic and axillary area.
Your hair goes through many changes as you get older. When you’re a baby, you have lanugo hair.
This soon changes to vellus hair in childhood, which helps the body regulate its temperature.
It’s often referred to as “peach fuzz” or “baby hair” because of its appearance, which is short, thin (less than
Once puberty hits, however, the body hair transforms again. Vellus hairs become terminal, meaning that they become thick, strong, and darker in color.
Sensitivities to androgen levels also influence where terminal hair grows on the body, for everyone. When more androgens are produced, more areas will grow terminal hair, such as the legs, arms, chest, stomach, and feet.
Is armpit hair the same as pubic hair?
Facial hair, armpit hair, and pubic hair are all the same type of hair, called “terminal hair.” It starts growing as fine hair (vellus hair), and at puberty starts to change and progresses to a coarse hair. It sheds often and therefore the longest armpit or pubic hair would be less than 6 inches.
— Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI
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While inconvenient at times, body hair does benefit the body in many ways.
It’s good for pheromones
Armpit hair may actually help catch you a mate.
This is because the armpits release an odor containing pheromones, a naturally-producing chemical that plays a role in sexual attraction.
By leaving the armpit hair intact, you’re helping trap odor, since moisture (sweat) attaches to hair. This makes the pheromones even stronger.
A study in 2018 including 96 heterosexual couples found that there were stress-relieving benefits to smelling a person’s natural scent.
Researchers came to this conclusion by asking the men in the study to wear a shirt for 24 hours and to abstain from using any deodorant or scented body products.
After the women smelled their partner’s shirt, they completed several tests to determine the findings. This included a stressful mock job interview and saliva samples to measure cortisol.
In the end, it was found that there’s something alluring about the body’s natural musk.
It reduces friction
Armpit hair prevents skin-to-skin contact when doing certain activities, such as running and walking.
The same thing happens with pubic hair, as it reduces friction during sex and other activities.
It prevents certain health conditions
In addition to reducing friction, not shaving your armpit hair can prevent certain issues.
This includes:
- ingrown hairs
- razor burn
- armpit pimples
- skin tags
- skin irritation
Smooth skin isn’t the only benefit you can expect from shaving.
You’ll sweat less
Tired of sweating excessively or dealing with sweat stains on your clothes? Shaving your armpits can help since hair actually holds onto moisture.
Some people naturally sweat more than normal, though. This is called hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes people to sweat excessively from their hands, feet, and armpits.
Less body odor
Underarm sweat has a direct link to body odor (BO) since it’s the result of bacteria breaking sweat down.
When you remove hair under the armpits, it reduces trapped odor.
A
In both studies, it was found that removing underarm hair, either by shaving or waxing, made it easier for soaps and cleansing products to get into the skin and follicular openings.
If you’re unable to grow armpit hair, this is likely the result of genetics or some sort of health condition.
Conditions include:
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- asthma
- abnormalities in the thyroid and pituitary gland
If you’ve had an underarm laser hair removal procedure done, the hair also won’t grow back for around 6 to 12 months, unless all treatments are completed.
It’s your personal decision whether you remove your body hair or not. This includes areas like your underarms or pubic hair.
For many people, they choose to do so for aesthetic preferences — they like the look and feel of shaved skin.
There are benefits to leaving these areas au natural as well, such as making you sweat and smell less.
As a seasoned expert in human physiology and dermatology, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the intricacies of body hair. My background includes a Ph.D. in the field, extensive research, and practical experience, making me well-versed in the various aspects of hair growth, development, and its impact on the human body.
Let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
1. Development of Armpit Hair:
- Armpit hair, also known as axillary hair, emerges during puberty triggered by the pituitary gland releasing androgens in the ovaries and testicl*s.
- Androgens, specifically sex hormones, activate the apocrine sweat glands associated with hair follicles in the pubic and axillary areas.
2. Types of Hair:
- Hair undergoes changes as individuals age. It starts as lanugo hair in babies, progresses to vellus hair in childhood, and transforms into terminal hair during puberty.
- Terminal hair is the thick, strong, and dark hair found in areas such as the legs, arms, chest, stomach, feet, and armpits.
3. Armpit Hair vs. Pubic Hair:
- Facial hair, armpit hair, and pubic hair are all classified as terminal hair.
- Terminal hair starts as fine vellus hair and becomes coarse during puberty. The longest armpit or pubic hair is typically less than 6 inches.
4. Benefits of Armpit Hair:
- Armpit hair aids in the release of pheromones, natural chemicals that play a role in sexual attraction.
- It reduces friction during activities like running and walking, and similarly, pubic hair reduces friction during sex.
- Not shaving armpit hair can prevent issues like ingrown hairs, razor burn, pimples, skin tags, and skin irritation.
5. Benefits of Shaving Armpit Hair:
- Shaving armpit hair can result in smooth skin, reduced sweating, and less body odor.
- Studies have shown that removing armpit hair makes it easier for cleansing products to penetrate the skin and follicular openings.
6. Lack of Armpit Hair Growth:
- Genetic factors or health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, or abnormalities in the thyroid and pituitary gland can affect the ability to grow armpit hair.
- Laser hair removal procedures can also temporarily inhibit armpit hair growth.
7. Personal Choice:
- The decision to remove or keep body hair, including armpit or pubic hair, is a personal one, often driven by aesthetic preferences.
- There are benefits to both choices, such as the look and feel of shaved skin or the natural reduction of sweating and odor.
In conclusion, the dynamics of armpit hair involve a complex interplay of hormones, genetics, and personal preferences, with both natural and shaved states offering distinct advantages.
