Introduction
An important difference between humans and other mammals is the extent and density of their hair, although this can vary greatly from person to person. In the course of human development, hair had lost many of its original functions, such as temperature equalization and protection. However, it has retained one function.
Hair, especially the hair on the head, is an important part of the external appearance and thus of the effect on the environment. But as much admiration the hair on the head gets, as disturbing it appears in other regions, such as on the legs. A certain ideal of beauty and the increased need for hygiene tempt many to gladly do without even the little remaining body hair (hair).
History
The desire for a hairless body can be traced back to ancient times. Many people in all cultures have always used different methods of hair removal to get rid of their unwanted body hair. Mostly this is not subject to any medical necessity. A particularly pronounced hairiness (hair) can, however, in certain cases leave psychological damage to the affected persons. Since we are not dependent on the heat protection of a coat due to our culture, depilation is also considered unproblematic, even if it goes so far as to make hair growth permanently impossible (hair).
Hair Shapes
Although you can hardly see it in most places, humans are also almost completely hairy (hair). Exceptions are mainly palms of hands and soles of feet. These are covered by so-called groin skin.
If you look closely and compare the back of your hand with the palm of your hand, you will notice the difference. The hairy skin on the back of the hand and the rest of the body is called field skin. People also have different types of hair, which are detached and redistributed in the course of life.
Infants, especially premature babies, are covered by a fluffy lanugo hair, which disappears quickly. Children before puberty wear the main hair exclusively on the head, the rest of the body is covered by soft wool hair. Main hair is three times thicker than wool hair and in contrast to the latter it is pigmented, i.e. it contains the pigment melanin, which colors it dark.
Dark hair contains a lot of melanin, light hair contains little. Wool hair on the other hand does not contain melanin and is therefore so light that it appears almost invisible. In addition, its growth phases are significantly shorter, so that it never reaches the length of main hair, which may grow unhindered over several years. During puberty, the wool hair must give way to the main hair (hair) in places such as armpits, genital area, legs and, in men, on the face.