Armpit hair is one of those body parts that many people try to control or hide, but why does armpit hair grow so fast?
In this article, I’m going to explain the science behind why your armpit hair grows faster and thicker than other areas of your body, when you remove the hair, as well as some tips on how to keep it under control.
What Is The Point Of Armpit Hair?
Armpit hair serves a few main functions, which are primarily related to our physiological and evolutionary needs. First and foremost, armpit hair helps protect our body from infection.
The sweat glands located around the armpits secrete an acidic natural deodorant to fight bacteria, so the thick mass of darker hairs in that area help trap those secretions against the skin for longer periods of time and more effective protection.
As well as this defensive function, armpit hair is also believed to play a role in scent communication with potential mates or rivals.
These dark locks act as scent receptors which can alternate between human-determined pheromones and hormones in order to express whatever emotions you may feel at any given time.
Our coarse hair from the armpit hair keeps us warm by providing insulation against fluctuations in temperature or exposure to cold winds.
Not only do the hair strands insulate us from hot and cold temperatures, but it traps air closer to our skin, creating a warmer space between external temperatures and our internal core body temperature.
Why Does Armpit Hair Grow So Fast?
Our armpits contain an abundance of sweat glands and hair follicles that, when combined, produce the unmistakable warmth and moisture of a human body.
This environment is ideal for hair growth, and as such, armpit hair grows faster than most other body hair.
As well as being the perfect breeding ground for hair growth, the hair around our armpits is thicker, darker, and more coarse than other body hair.
Did you know, armpit hair actually grows 50% faster than the hair on our legs?
This is due to the fact that armpit hair contains more androgen, a hormone that is responsible for these characteristics.
As androgen levels rise in the body, so does hair growth in the armpits.
Hormones are not the only contributing factor when it comes to why armpit hair grows faster than other body hair.
Genetics also play a role, as some people’s genetics predispose them to grow more armpit hair than others.
Moreover, our lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, can have a significant impact on our hormone levels and armpit hair growth.
The better we take care of our bodies, the slower our armpit hair will grow.
Armpit hair grows faster due to the ideal environment for hair growth, higher levels of androgen hormones, genetics, and lifestyle choices.
Why Does Armpit Hair Grow So Fast After Shaving?
Shaving is one of the most popular ways to remove unwanted armpit hair, but it can often feel like the hairs grow back almost immediately.
This phenomenon is known as the “shaving paradox,” a term coined by dermatologists to describe the frustration of seeing armpit hair grow back at a rapid rate after being shaved away.
The appearance of rapid regrowth is largely an illusion—the hairs haven’t actually grown back all that quickly, you’ve just become hyper-aware of their presence.
When the hair is shaved off, it leaves behind a sharp edge that is more easily felt when touched, creating the perception that the hair grows back faster.
What’s more, shaving can actually create the optimal environment for regrowth.
When the hair is cut too short, it can become trapped in the skin and start to curl, making it more likely for ingrown hairs.
Dry shaving can irritate the skin and create little cuts that are susceptible to bacteria—this can cause inflammation and lead to faster regrowth.
Remember that shaving is not a long-term solution if you wish to keep unwanted armpit hairs at bay.
If you want to ensure your armpits remain smooth and hairless, you might want to consider using alternative hair removal methods such as waxing or laser hair removal.
These hair removal procedures techniques are more effective and can help keep your skin looking its best.
How To Stop My Armpit Hair From Growing So Fast?
One of the most common beauty concerns is excess armpit hair growth. This can be bothersome and embarrassing, but fortunately, there are several ways to stop your armpit hair from growing so fast.
The first step is to reduce the amount of time you spend in direct sunlight and wear protective clothing with long sleeves when necessary. Sun exposure increases hormones that stimulate armpit hair growth.
Proper shaving hair removal treatment techniques should be employed by those who choose to shave their underarm hair.
Use a sharp razor blade each time to get close shaves without cutting or irritating the surface of your skin, and always use shaving cream or conditioner as a lubricant instead of using soap.
Also, exfoliating regularly helps remove dead skin cells that hold onto the fuzz and slow down the speed at which they grow back.
It’s also important to avoid excessive sweating by wearing breathable fabrics such as cotton, which wick moisture away from your body more efficiently than synthetic materials like polyester or rayon.
Laser treatments have become increasingly popular for permanently reducing the amount of unwanted armpit hair thicker and faster than other treatments like waxing or tweezing can do alone.
Try limiting sun exposure, practicing safe shaving techniques regularly, exfoliating your skin frequently, wearing breathable fabrics that won’t trap sweat close to your skin and considering laser treatment for permanent reduction if necessary – all these steps will help keep unwanted armpit hair growth at bay.
Does Armpit Body Hair Ever Stop Growing?
Hair follicles come in various lengths, and some are predetermined by genetics.
The average rate of hair growth on an individual is based largely on their genetic makeup, but can be impacted by a range of factors from age, diet, stress levels and hormone levels.
For some people, they will find that their armpit hair stops growing once they reach adulthood, while others may experience a lifelong battle when excessive body hair grows or too little hair growth.
Hormones are the main culprit behind your armpits growing hair, so if you’ve noticed a change in your armpit hair growth over time, it could be related to hormal changes. Some medications or medical conditions can affect hair growth as well.
Do Hairy Armpits Cause Odor?
Do hairy armpits cause odor? The answer is yes. Sweat from the armpit area often gets trapped in the hairs, leading to unpleasant body odors.
As the sweat accumulates, it reacts with bacteria on the skin and produces a strong smell that can be difficult to mask.
The issue is exacerbated when people don’t practice proper hygiene, like regularly showering and cleaning their armpits with soap and water.
Using a deodorant or antiperspirant can help reduce odors, as they contain ingredients that neutralize odor-causing bacteria and absorb sweat.
So while having hairier armpits may lead to more body odors than those without hair, regular hygiene practices can help keep smells at bay.
Other factors such as genetics, diet, smoking habits and clothing choices can also influence body odor production.
For example, eating foods like garlic or curry can impact your natural scent, as well as contributing moisture to the area where bacteria feed on sweat secretions.
Wearing tight fitting clothes made of synthetic materials also leads to excessive sweating, making odor issues worse for individuals with armpit hair versus those without any hair at all.
How Long Should Armpit Hair Be Before Shaving?
There is no definitive length that your armpit hair should be before shaving—rather, it is completely based on your personal preference.
Some may find that short armpit hair is comfortable and easy to maintain, while others may opt for longer hair, depending on their style.
So, the length of your armpit hair should depend on what is most comfortable and practical for you.
When it comes to maintaining longer armpit hair, some may find that regular trimming and shaping is necessary in order to keep hair neat.
It’s not uncommon for longer armpit hair to become tangled or curly over time.
So regular trimming can be beneficial in keeping it manageable. Regular upkeep may also be necessary if you have a more active lifestyle, as excessive sweating can cause a buildup of bacteria in uncut underarms hair.
How To Stop Armpit Hair From Growing Back?
If you’re looking for a more long-term solution, laser hair removal might be the best route to keep your pits looking neat and smooth without the worry of it growing back quickly.
Laser treatments use specialized light to damage the hair follicles, effectively reducing or completely ending regrowth in the area, for hair that grows quickly.
Unless you have a particularly light complexion or dark providence, laser removal is generally safe for all skin types.
Another great solution for those not wanting to try anything too drastic could be to apply natural waxes such as beeswax and yogurt mixed with sugar directly onto the underarm area.
Completely remove the entire wax strip once dry, which usually takes about 15 minutes, to eliminate any unwanted hairs from growing back in.
How To Prevent Ingrown Hairs When Shaving Or Waxing
When shaving or waxing, proper preparation is key to preventing ingrown hairs.
Make sure you have a sharp razor blade and use shaving cream as it will help lubricate the area and provide protection from nicks.
Take your time when shaving and move in the natural direction of the hair growth.
If waxing, exfoliate beforehand to remove any dead skin cells that may be clogging pores and making hair follicles more prone to growing inwardly instead of outwardly.
Afterward, make sure to apply an antiseptic lotion like tea tree oil which has antibacterial properties and might help reduce inflammation around existing ingrown hairs.
Keeping skin moisturized can help prevent future ingrowns by decreasing dryness which contributes to them forming.
Avoid tight-fitting clothing in the area that was recently shaved or waxed since this can further irritate skin and increase chances for infection to occur from irritated areas on the skin becoming inflamed.
Does Shaving Thicken Armpit Hair?
Shaving armpit hair does not cause it to grow back thicker, contrary to popular belief.
The reason why people may think that is because the blunt end of a freshly shaved hair can feel coarser than when the same hair was at its full length before being shaved.
However, the structure of the hair shaft remains unchanged and so does its thickness. So no matter how many times you shave your armpit hair, it will stay at its original thickness with nothing more or less.
So, if you want to tame your armpits from excessive growth or just keep them looking cleaner and neater, shaving is a great option but it won’t change the diameter of each individual strand of hair growing there.
Is Electrolysis Effective For Reducing Armpit Hair Growth?
Electrolysis is a tried and tested method of hair removal and it remains a popular choice for those looking to rid themselves of unsightly armpit hair.
It requires the insertion of an electrode into the hair follicle and then sending an electric current through it, resulting in damage to the root which prevents further growth of that particular hair.
This form of hair removal can be quite effective but also time consuming, as multiple sessions are generally required in order to achieve optimal results.
Electrolysis can be an expensive hair removal method, but it does offer long lasting hair removal, which is why it’s such a popular treatment for many.
Summary
Armpit hair grows faster at a quicker growth rate, and is thicker than other body hairs, like leg hair, eyebrow hair or the hair on your head, due to a perfect environment for hair growth, higher levels of androgen hormones and genetics.
If you shave your armpits, it can often seem counter-productive, as it leads to the illusion of rapid regrowth, for your armpit hair to grow back.
To reduce armpit hair growth, limit sun exposure, practice safe shaving or waxing techniques, exfoliate regularly and wear breathable fabrics that won’t trap sweat, to make your hair grow back at a slower rate.
Laser therapy has become increasingly popular for permanently reducing the amount of unwanted armpit hair faster than other methods like waxing or tweezing can do alone.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!