Introduction
The body hair, also called androgenic hair, is the hair on the human body, which must be distinguished from the hair on the head. It is influenced by the release of androgens. While the growth of hair on the head decreases when androgens are released, the growth of body hair is increased when androgens are released.
As the growth of body hair is different in men and women, adult body hair develops in a gender-specific way. For this reason, body hair is also one of the secondary sexual characteristics. But also the age and genetic disposition are responsible for the development of body hair.
Depending on genetic disposition, the expression of hair growth is determined. In addition, the hormone release of androgens determines the density and amount of body hair. Thus, due to the genetic disposition, even hormonally healthy women can have very pronounced body hair.
Function of body hair
The body hair has both a protective function and a thermoregulatory function through surface enlargement. In addition, hair makes the skin more sensitive and touches are better perceived. Before the development of the actual body hair in puberty, the human body is covered by a markless, unpigmented hair. This body hair is called vellus hair and protects the organism from ectoparasites such as mosquitoes or ticks.
Formation of body hair
With the beginning of puberty and hormonal stimulation, gender-specific body hair develops. In men, body hair growth begins at around 10 years of age and can last until the age of 30, especially in the chest, shoulder and back areas. Whereas in women, at the end of puberty, the terminal body hair, in places such as pubic hair, anal hair, axillary hair and arms and legs, has developed.
However, it cannot be excluded that hormone treatments or altered hormone status, such as in the postmenopause, can further change the nature and extent of body hair. The male body hair affects additional body parts, such as beard hair, nose and ear hair or back hair. In puberty, body hair begins in the genital area. With increasing age, underarm hair follows and then beard growth.
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