Although the male body is already hairy in childhood, the hair becomes thicker during puberty. Beard growth in men also begins when they enter adulthood.
For some men, a full beard is a sign of masculinity, while others want to keep it in check through regular grooming. Additionally, the pattern of hair growth is not the same for all men. It depends on several factors that we will look at today.
Some men also have too much body hair that grows all over the body surface, which can be a form of hypertrichosis. So, we will also learn the causes of excessive hair growth in men.
Finally, let’s look at how men can remove or care for the hair on their body and in their own way.
Table of contents:- Part 1: What are the dynamics of hair growth in men?
- Part 2: What is the difference between hirsutism and hypertrichosis?
- Part 3: The 11 reasons for excessive hair growth on the male body
- Part 4: How to deal with excessive hair growth in men
- Part 5: The final verdict
What are the dynamics of hair growth in men?
Before puberty, the hair growth on the body of men and women is almost the same. Both have short, thin and peach-down-like hair. However, when they reach puberty, the pattern of hair growth varies greatly in both sexes because men produce more testosterone and women produce more estrogen.
As a result, men also begin to develop thick facial hair and dark body hair. However, hair growth in these areas is not particularly pronounced in women. Beards and body hair are considered secondary sexual characteristics in men.
So they start growing between the ages of 13 and 15 when testosterone levels are elevated, and continue to grow even after the 20s. In addition, the pattern of hair growth varies among men as well. This can be due to genes, ethnicity, hormones and environmental factors.
What is the difference between hirsutism and hypertrichosis?
Hirsutism is the unwanted hair growth in women that resembles that in men. It involves excess hair growing around the chin, sideburns, upper lip, chest, abdomen, back, and thighs.
This is particularly limited to women as it is caused by an excess of male hormones in them. It may also be associated with other signs and symptoms of excess testosterone.
In contrast, hypertrichosis is excessive hair growth on almost any part of the body, which may be limited to a few areas or the entire body and face. It can occur equally in both sexes and is referred to as " It is called “werewolf syndrome” because excessive hair growth all over the body makes one look like a beast.
But the good thing is that it is extremely rare and there are only a few cases worldwide.
The 11 reasons for excessive hair growth on the male body
Now let's see what causes unwanted hair growth in men. There are 11 reasons for excessive hair growth in men, including both common and rare causes.
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Hormonal imbalance
The most important factor for hair growth in men is hormones. A balanced testosterone and estrogen level regulates hair growth.
However, an excess of testosterone without estrogen to balance it out causes too much hair to develop on the male body. A study shows the effect of androgens on male hair growth [1].
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genetics
Genetic excessive hair growth can also occur in men, as can genetic alopecia. In most cases, the genes that cause hirsutism are passed on from the mother's side.
In other cases, there may be a mutation in the gene that stops hair growth at a certain point. As a result, hair continues to grow without a stop signal.
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Ethnicity
Ethnicity influences lifestyle, eating habits and even some diseases in the population. Genetics is also closely linked to the people of a particular region or ethnicity.
For example, men in South Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries have excessive hair growth compared to men in other parts of the world.
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Medicines
Medications can be a common cause of acquired excessive body hair growth in men. Drugs such as minoxidil, steroids, cyclosporines and prostaglandin analogues can cause hypertrichosis as a side effect.
Such excessive hair growth can be treated simply by limiting such medications. The effect of minoxidil on hair growth has been explained in a clinical study [2].
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Hypervascularity
Hypervascularity means an increase in the volume and number of vessels. It also means an increased blood supply through the body tissues. Hypervascularity of the subcutaneous vessels occurs especially in the skin and hair follicles.
This can cause hypertrichosis in a specific area with pronounced vessels by increasing the nutrient supply to the hair follicles in that area.
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Endocrine disorders
Various endocrine disorders can cause excessive hair growth in men. Acromegaly, for example, is caused by an overproduction of growth hormones. These growth hormones also attach themselves to the receptors of the hair-producing cells, which leads to a stimulation of hair growth.
One study investigated the relationship between growth hormones and hair follicles [3]. Another cause of excessive hair growth on the body is congenital hypothyroidism, as explained in a scientific article [4].
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Improper application of plaster
Chronic friction in one area can also lead to increased vascularity and the skin responds by giving in to the formation of excess and unwanted hair on the surface of the body.
In such cases, only the area with the cast has excessive hair growth, as has been shown in studies [5].
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Cancer
Tumors such as paraneoplastic syndrome, which affects the kidneys, lungs, liver and other organs, can stimulate hormone production that plays a role in regulating hair growth.
Tumors of the adrenal glands and pituitary gland also produce excess hormonal signals that lead to excessive hair growth on the male body.
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Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda is the deficiency of enzymes involved in the synthesis of heme. This disease causes skin manifestations such as photosensitivity.
It can also cause hypertrichosis in areas exposed to sunlight. The association between PTC and excessive hair growth was established in a case study [6].
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Systemic disorders
Systemic disorders such as POEMS syndrome and Cushing's disease can also be the cause of excessive hair growth in men. These conditions are related to endocrine abnormalities.
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Skin disorders
Skin disorders, including some infections such as lichen simplex and autoimmune diseases such as dermatomyositis, can cause skin irritation and, as a result, excessive hair growth. This form of hypertrichosis is often patchy.
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Nutrition and malnutrition
Malnutrition and eating disorders can lead to extremely reduced body weight. This means that there is no layer of fat under the skin for insulation.
So the body begins to increase hair growth as a kind of defense mechanism, since this hair can form an insulating layer on the surface of the skin.
How to deal with excessive hair growth in men
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Shave
The first measure that men take to deal with excess hair growth on the body is shaving. This is because shaving is painless, effortless and almost cost-free. Shaving also allows men to trim the hair to a specific length and style their beard or body hair the way they want.
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Waxing
The second method is for men who cannot shave every day due to lack of time and would rather be hairless than look at the unwanted hair every day when shaving. This can be painful, but an oral analgesic can help you cope with the pain.
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epilation
Next comes epilation, where an electric device grabs and removes unwanted hair at the root. It works in the same way as waxing, but is less complicated because you don't need to prepare wax, wax sticks or strips. The pain is also similar in both cases.
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Hair removal creams
The hair removal cream, which was specially developed for thick hair in men, is a pain-free alternative to waxing and epilation. In addition, the results last longer than with shaving.
They can therefore be used to remove unwanted excessive body hair in men within a few minutes. You can find the best hair removal creams for men here.
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IPL hair removal
If you would rather have unwanted hair treated permanently than resort to other methods every now and then, IPL hair removal is exactly what you need.
Devices like the Ulike Air3 IPL hair removal device can be painless, long-lasting, cost-effective, super fast and skin-friendly. They also have multiple intensity levels and high power to remove even stubborn hair on men.
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Laser
Laser hair removal is another popular method of hair removal that provides semi-permanent results. The treatment may be time-consuming, but the results also last longer. Additionally, laser hair removal is precise and allows you to remove the unwanted hair in a specific pattern.
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electrolysis
And finally, we have electrolysis for you. This method uses electrical current to destroy the hair follicles and prevent them from ever regenerating.
So electrolysis is an effective method for removing excess hair in men, regardless of the cause. Plus, it works on all skin tones, types, and hair colors.
The final verdict
Body and facial hair growth in men is mainly controlled by hormones and genetics. However, factors such as malnutrition, medications, endocrine syndromes, skin diseases and systemic disorders can cause excessive body and facial hair growth in men.
