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We Finally Got All Your Awkward Questions About Male Body Hair Answered

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Like, how come eyebrow hairs stop growing but beard hairs don't?

Have you ever noticed how chest hair never grows past a certain point? It grows about an inch long, and then it stops. Trimming it feels pointless if you don't mind that particular length.

Other body parts are a different story. In general, I favor curated male body hair. I'm an advocate of trimmed armpit hair, for instance, since it sometimes grows outside its bounds. Your partner is probably an advocate of trimmed pubes, since he or she is plenty stocked up on dental floss at the moment, thankyouverymuch. Eyebrows never seem to grow more than a centimeter, if that, though recently I found two rogue ones in the left brow that were an inch-an entire inch!-long. I need to go in with scissors more often, I guess.

With all the grooming and manscaping that we do, I got curious about body hair-from head to toe-and why it grows differently-and stops growing at different points-from one body part to another. Why can the hair on my head grow past my butt, but by butt hairs will never sweep the floor? (Thankfully.) To learn more, I reached out to Dr. Baiju Gohil, MD, of Robotic Hair Restoration in Long Island. He's a board-certified surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, dedicated to hair restoration and hair loss treatment. Here's what Gohil had to say about hair growth, and the rules it usually follows.

Why does hair grow at different lengths from one body part to the next?

Gohil says that the first thing to know about hair growth-anywhere on the body-is that it goes through a life cycle consisting of three different phases. This starts with the Anagen Phase, which "is the actual growth stage of the hair," Gohil says. "For hair on the head, this phase lasts between 3-7 years for each hair follicle. However, for hair on our body this phase only lasts 3-6 months." The stopping point, which is the maximum a hair can grow, is called the hair's "terminal length". Then there's the Catagen Phase. "This is a short transitional phase after Anagen, where hair growth slows down until it stops. This phase takes between 10 days and three months." Finally the Telogen Phase "is the resting phase where the hair stops growing, is released, and falls out," says Gohil. "The follicle then goes into an inactive state for approximately three months, after which a new hair begins to grow and the entire process is repeated."

Body hairs-like those on the chest, eyebrows, face, and other extremities-do not grow as long as the hairs on the head, obviously. "The longer the length of time in the Anagen Phase, the longer a hair can grow," he says. "Each hair follicle independently goes through the growth cycle at different times, otherwise all your hair would fall out simultaneously. Instead, you only shed a certain number of hairs per day, around 80 hairs, from a healthy scalp."

"Anthropologists and biologists are still not sure exactly why, but many believe that the hair on our head grows longer due to practical evolutionary benefits," Gohil says. "A lot of body heat escapes from the head, which houses the brain. Hair is a good insulator that can keep heat in, providing a survival advantage, especially in colder climates. Because man evolved into a bipedal being, the head became more directly exposed to the sun and required more protection. Therefore, another reason for the existence of scalp hair may be to provide protection against UV rays, and other potentially harmful environmental factors."

How does the follicle "know" the length of its hair? If you trim a hair, does the follicle still grow a certain amount of time, as if we hadn't trimmed it?

"A hair follicle does not 'know' its own length," says Gohil. "All hair follicles go through the three growth phases mentioned above, the way they are pre-programmed to, despite trimming. Trimming has no influence on the growth cycle of a hair follicle. The hair follicle grows the same way, whether or not we cut the hair."

How does hair length vary from one person to the next?

"The length of the hair within the growth cycle is not the same in everyone," he says. "Many factors determine length, thickness, and the amount of hair on the head and body, genetics being just one of them."

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Why do some hairs-eyebrows come to mind-occasionally grow longer than the preset terminal length?

"There are a few different reasons why eyebrow hairs may violate the terminal length rule," Gohil says. "As we age, skin sags and loses its fullness, making the eyebrow hairs appear longer, even though they are the same length. The keratin within each hair is not arranged as precisely as we get older, allowing keratin fibers to bend more easily than they used to. These more flexible hairs are not aligned with the others anymore in their usual eyebrow formation, and become more visibly apparent. In advanced age, hairs are also more hormone sensitive, especially to testosterone. After menopause, estrogen levels in women decrease, and the influence of naturally occurring testosterone in females is not counteracted, which may lead to more pronounced eyebrow hair."

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We Finally Got All Your Awkward Questions About Male Body Hair Answered

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Like, how come eyebrow hairs stop growing but beard hairs don't? Have you ever noticed how chest hair never grows past a certain point? It grows about an inch long, and then it stops. Trimming it feels pointless if you don't mind that particular length. Other body parts are a different story.

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The Most Common Body Hair Removal Myths

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When I was younger, I always tried to ignore my body hair. The only time I'd be forced to face it was during middle school gym class, when everyone's legs were noticeably shaved. It made the jet-black hairs all over me stand out even more.

I grew up in a conservative Filipino household, and although my parents have always been there for me, I was never fully comfortable opening up about the changes that were happening to my body. Any time I would bring it up, they would scare me into leaving it alone. My mom consistently told me two things: that getting rid of any hair would result in the strands coming back even thicker, and that any method of removal was going to really hurt.

For the longest time, I was terrified to even buy a razor. When I finally did start shaving, my mom admitted that many of the beauty-related beliefs instilled in me at a young age weren't actually true. After we had that conversation, I felt much more comfortable in my skin - because I now had the choice to shape my own appearance. While I'm definitely not suggesting that any method of hair removal is a necessity, it helped to at least have the right information before making my decision. So, if you choose to shave, wax, epilate, tweeze, or try laser hair removal, know the facts behind the five myths below.
The Myth: If you shave, your hair will grow back thicker and faster.
True story: The only tool I used to remove hair throughout middle school was a contraband pair of tweezers. After wincing through multiple plucking sessions, I went against my mother's wishes and shaved for the very first time.

Not only was it a million times less painful than plucking, it also - unsurprisingly - took way less time to shave my legs. Plus, I didn't detect any increased thickness in hair. Recently, I ended up visiting P&G's Braun headquarters in Kronberg, Germany (something my teenage self would never have expected), and ended up asking the experts there if shaving could ever impact how body hair grows back.

"How fast it comes back, the thickness, color, and everything else has already been pre-determined by your genes," Gillette Venus Scientific Communications Manager Adam Boulding told me. So no, shaving won't suddenly make your hair thicker, although it may sometimes look thicker as the hair that first emerges is blunt instead of tapered.
The Myth: You need to remove your body hair.
Regardless of what anyone says, you never "need" to conform to any type of restrictive beauty standard. The movement to challenge body and facial hair stigma is only getting bigger. Celebrities from Cardi B to Bella Thorne continue to encourage their followers to rethink society's conventional grooming methods and do whatever makes them feel most comfortable.

According to a study by Mintel, nearly 25% of women have stopped shaving their armpit hair. A February 2018 consumer survey showed 48% of women revealed that they remove or groom body hair only for themselves. Numbers aside, what matters is the pressure to maintain certain routines is being increasingly called into question.
The Myth: If you have a low pain tolerance, you shouldn't try epilation.
Clearly, I took this myth to the next level by believing that even shaving would be incredibly painful. Since I was so relieved that I proved my mom wrong, I never thought to venture out into a longer-lasting method. I was also too nervous that I wouldn't be able handle the pain levels of the technique.

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Why I Used to Be Terrified of Shaving My Legs

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When I was younger, I always tried to ignore my body hair. The only time I'd be forced to face it was during middle school gym class, when everyone's legs were noticeably shaved. It made the jet-black hairs all over me stand out even more.

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Should Men Shave Their Armpit Hair?

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When it comes to body hair, there's always some question of whether or not guys should be manscaping and why or how it should be done.

One thread in Reddit's infamous and highly-addictive /r/AskReddit forum recently begged the big question: should men shave their pubes and armpits? Though the former area of hair below the belt has been fiercely debated, the latter hasn't nearly as much discussion.

In the past, we've written about how and why men could stand to give their armpit hair a once-over with a razor. As attitudes about body hair have evolved and changed, it bears asking again whether or not men are shaving their underarm hair.

As usual, Reddit responders had strong opinions, each diverse and different in their reasoning. Here are a few of the replies from Reddit users about their pit preferences.

One Redditor got real about why it's not necessary.

"Nah. We all grow hair there. Just wear deodorant and wash them. I'm not often snuggling in the pit... I think the majority of people don't care that much about it compared to other important qualities, and if their preference leans strongly either way they'll let you know." - itsame_throwaway101

Another got even realer about the most important issue with shaving.

"Nobody cares what you do as long as you clean out the drain when you're done." - Imadethis4things

Others were apathetic.

"Hygiene? Like if it's a crazy problem maybe trim once in a while? If not, well then let it be." - ChickenAgent

Some were a bit more forthcoming.

"I trim/groom. Otherwise it traps sweat." - Bananafoofoofwee

One had an unusual line of reasoning.

"Armpits, no. More hair means more warmth for me to snuggle in." - kecoagendut

And one made a great point.

"No. Because it grows back thicker, harder, better, faster, stronger. We can't handle that kind of power." - PyrrhicVictory7

So, which one should you be doing? Well, sorry to break the news, but there's no right answer.

In terms of aesthetics, some people prefer not to have busy hair or visible hair as they raise their arms. And others notice excess sweat or odor that can be associated with hair during physical activity.

Hair can be a good thing. According to some theories, underarm hair can reduce sweating as well as friction. It's even been considered an ancient symbol of sexual attractiveness.

If you're going to shave, it might be uncomfortable, especially your first time.

Dr. Mona Gohara, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, told GoodHousekeeping.com that shaving the armpits can result in "irritation, folliculitis, rashes, inflammation, and even infections from dirty razors."

Cleanliness is crucial, whether you're hairy or hairless. If you wash yourself and use deodorant regularly and you still want to shave or wax, it's important that you use the correct methods and tools on your sensitive skin. Be sure that everything is clean, that you're being gentle, and most importantly, you're shaving because you like it, not because someone else prefers hairless pits.

In this case, the question of whether or not to trim your underarms is most easily answered by deciding whether or not you want to. No? No problem.

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So Do You Shave Your Armpit Hair or What?

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When it comes to body hair, there's always some question of whether or not guys should be manscaping and why or how it should be done. One thread in Reddit's infamous and highly-addictive /r/AskReddit forum recently begged the big question: should men shave their pubes and armpits?

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Why do women have no choice when it comes to body hair?

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It's a heatwave and you're off to the beach. Sun cream? Check. A good book? Got it. Very little body hair? Hmm, probably. Sound familiar? That's because most women wouldn't dream of leaving their body hair intact.

Case in point: remember that scene from the first Sex and the City movie when Samantha shames Miranda for having bikini line hair growth sticking out from her swimsuit? That's the kind of judgement heaped on women if we deviate from what's expected from us.

Society's policing of female body hair is so strong that most women don't question it anymore. Shaving, waxing, lasering and plucking hair from our legs and armpits to bikini lines and bum holes has become an accepted - and expensive - part of our beauty routine.

And, honestly, I'm fed up! Why in 2018 do we have such a narrow view of beauty for women? Why is it okay for men to rock up with body hair in its natural state OR with a back, sack and crack wax and no one really bats an eyelid? Whereas if a woman has armpit hair or untouched pubic hair, it's commented upon or viewed as some kind of statement. Why do men have a choice but women don't?

On the issue of pube grooming, consultant ob-gyn, Dr Shazia Malik, says she has noticed a 'definite shift' in behaviour. "I would say a lot more women, and especially younger women, are now doing a Hollywood - removing all their pubic hair," she says.

This is despite the benefits of pubic hair, such as being a sign of sexual maturity, protecting genitals, helping to keep bacterial infections at bay and, apparently, also trapping pheromones to aid sexual attraction.

Dr Malik says there are no downsides to having pubic hair (it's natural, after all), but you should keep the area clean with warm water.

Meanwhile, ripping out pubes carries lots of risks with it, including infections, ingrown hairs and burns from waxing or laser treatment. Dr Malik adds: "I had a mum bring her 18-year-old daughter in recently. She had really unpleasant laser burns around her vulva."

I've always had a rocky relationship with hair removal. At 14, I accidentally cut myself on a razor while attempting to shave after being made fun of at school for having hair sprouting from my legs.

Over the years, I've had some awful professional bikini line waxes where I've come away red raw, bruised and, in some cases, bleeding. In between these experiences, I've hacked away at my bikini line or used (disgustingly smelling) hair removal cream, only to find an itchy rash a few hours later.

I've even cancelled trips to the pool or beach because I haven't had time to get rid of hair or I've felt ashamed of the tell-tale hair removal rash. And why? To try and fit the acceptable mould of female beauty that Western society dictates through its depiction of women.

"I definitely think there's a double standard between men and women when it comes to body hair," says author and body confidence coach, Michelle Elman. "In adverts for shavers for women they don't even show body hair because its seen as so unattractive."

Michelle says societal pressure can leave women with huge insecurities, especially when it comes to sex, and porn is a big part of the problem.

"The whole narrative around porn - because everyone is so shaved - leads to women not feeling good enough in the bedroom," says Michelle. "I've had a lot of clients say to me they feel like they aren't being a good girlfriend if they don't stay on top of their body hair."

It's true that sexual partners can be a factor in the body hair debate. Friends have told me their boyfriends would prefer them to get rid of pubic hair (including on their bum), while one pal even said she thought body hair was dirty.

Alice, 27, a teacher from Exeter, says: "It's perceived to be the norm that women remove most of their body hair so I think a lot of men expect that. Men have even suggested to me that I'm more likely to get oral sex if pubes are removed.

"For men, body hair isn't a political issue so they are less aware of what the pressure feels like and the impact it can have on you, and the way the small things they say can make you feel really shit about yourself."

After Juliet, 48, an author from London, decided to stop removing body hair, she received comments from strangers, who said her armpit hair was "disgusting".

"If men want a beard or not it's a preference, a choice," she says. "For women there's one kind of behaviour encouraged and rewarded."

Juliet, a mother of three girls and a boy, says we need to educate youngsters.

"I think we really need to talk to young boys as well as girls," she says. "So many of them see genitalia for the first time on the internet and they think it's (being hairless) normal."

Of course, hair removal is nothing new. Women in ancient Egypt got rid of all their body hair, including from their heads. Beauty trends change throughout the years just like fashions.

But we have to drop this idea that leaving body hair untouched is unattractive, dirty or shameful. We need to question why society has these expectations for women.

Just to be clear, I'm not against anyone removing hair from their body. It should always be a personal choice. Often I feel like doing some grooming, but sometimes, I just want to be the natural me: happy and a bit hairy - and I don't want to be judged by anyone for that.

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To pube or not to pube: Why do women have no choice when it comes to body hair?

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It's a heatwave and you're off to the beach. Sun cream? Check. A good book? Got it. Very little body hair? Hmm, probably. Sound familiar? That's because most women wouldn't dream of leaving their body hair intact.

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Read the online articles found on this page.

As you read them, consider the following questions:

1. Why do we have body hair?

2. What are the possible reasons for removing body hair?

3. After reading the articles, how do I feel or think about the issue?

4. Why do I feel or think that way?

5. After reading, what are my thoughts about body hair and removing them?

You will post your responses by clicking on the link below:

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Body Hair

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One of the most visible signs that indicates we've hit puberty is the growth of body hair. If you're wondering if your body hair is normal, then the short answer is yes!

Most of us will experience some anxiety about our bodies at some point in our lives

What is body hair?
In short, body hair is hair anywhere other than your head - from pubes to hairy toes.

Everyone has some, whether they decide to remove it or not. Factors such as age, ethnicity and some hormonal conditions are responsible for how much or little hair you have.
What is it for?
Essentially, it's for keeping us warm and helping us regulate our body temperatures.

Because humans have evolved and developed different ways of keeping warm, we don't rely on a coat of fur - like monkeys or other mammals - and so we've gradually changed to have less body hair.

Humans still have hair on their heads as protection from the sun and cold but most of the rest of our hair is thinner and lighter than an animal's fur.
Why do men and women have different body hair?
In general, boys have more body hair than girls. This is because of testosterone, a hormone that can give people more masculine characteristics, including increased body hair and which most boys have more of than girls.

However, differences in ethnicity and conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Sydrome (PCOS) - which causes hormonal changes - mean that some women may have more body hair and some men much less.
When does it develop?
We usually develop body hair during puberty - although it will continue to change and grow over your whole life.

Most people can expect to grow hair on their legs and forearms, which can vary between very sparse, light hair to relatively thick and wiry "fluff," all of which is normal in both boys and girls.

Many people also grow hair on their chests, tummies, upper thighs, bum and back. Some people have distinct areas of body hair, for some of us it's more of an all-over thing; it's due to genetic differences and the way your body reacts to hormones and having a little or having a lot is all normal.

We also grow pubic hair around our genitals and in our armpits - this is different colour, thickness and texture for everyone and covers different areas. Some people only have a few wisps, some of us have a lot of hair - and many people are somewhere in between.

It is also normal to grow hair in your bum, even if it might feel a bit embarrassing!
Why do we worry about it?
Lots of people worry about body hair, both boys and girls. A lot of people feel like they have too much or too little and it can make us very self-conscious.

It's relatively rare to see body hair depicted in the media - many models and celebrities remove their body hair to make themselves more adaptable to different looks and hair is often airbrushed out of photos as an 'imperfection.'

Even if we did often see people with normal body hair, that's such a broad spectrum that it could feel confusing! Body hair is as different as the hair on our heads - long, short, curly, different colours and, if you're on the #freeyourpits trend, even dyed blue.
Can you have too much body hair?
It's important to remember that most body hair is normal, even if you might feel like you have more than other people.

However, sometimes having a lot of body hair (or 'hirsutism') can be an indicator of other conditions.

In girls, a common cause of heavy body hair is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which can cause androgens to build up in the body, making girls' voices break and extra hair to grow. Although it is a serious condition, body hair is only a symptom and not itself a physical problem - however, it can affect body image and self esteem.

If you are worried about whether your body hair might be excessive or indicate a problem, talk to your GP.

Very occasionally, especially if it is regularly shaved, body hair can lead to ingrown hairs. These are usually not serious and will correct themselves but if one becomes infected or painful it is important to check with your GP.
Can you have too little body hair?
It might seem like a dream life for some of us but sometimes people can have not enough body hair.

Some conditions, such as Alopecia, can cause body hair loss in patches or altogether. Treatments such as chemotherapy can also cause hair to fall out.

In very rare cases, a lack of body hair can indicate delayed puberty. However, it's also totally normal to just not have very much hair!
Why do people remove body hair?
Some people remove their body hair, for aesthetic reasons. There's no reason you should have to - whether you're a boy or a girl and it is up to the individual to choose what to keep or remove.

Some people remove their body hair for sporting reasons - many cyclists and swimmers shave their legs for smoother movement. Some athletes will also remove hair to feel more comfortable.

Lots of people don't remove all - on any- of their body hair and there's no right or wrong to choosing to or not. Work out what feels comfortable for you.
How do people remove body hair? And is there a way to remove it permanently?
The most common method for removing any form of body hair is shaving - it's a cheap and quick way to do it but can risk nicks and doesn't leave you smooth for very long.

Waxing and threading are methods that pull the hair out at the root, which keeps the area hairless for longer. Unless you're trained in doing it yourself, you'll need to go to a salon, however, and it can be very painful with dense or deep hairs.

Epilation is an longer-term method that can be done at home. Epilation removes the hairs using a special device that pulls them out at the root, which can be painful.

Electrolysis - burning the hair root with a laser - is used to permanently remove hair. It can be painful and takes several rounds, which must be booked with a salon but is considered to be highly effective.

What to do if you're worried about body hair

Most of us will experience some anxiety about our bodies at some point in our lives and body hair is a frequent source of body image issues.

It can feel like a very embarrassing and intimate topic to discuss but if you're worried about your body hair, talking to a trusted friend or parent can often help.

If you are worried about whether your body hair - or your relationship to it - is healthy then speak to your GP.
BBC Advice factfiles are here to help young people with a broad range of issues. They're based on advice from medical professionals, government bodies, charities and other relevant groups. Follow the links for more advice from these organisations. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. This factfile was update on 2 August 2017

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One of the most visible signs that indicates we've hit puberty is the growth of body hair. If you're wondering if your body hair is normal, then the short answer is yes! Most of us will experience some anxiety about our bodies at some point in our lives What is body hair?