Men usually have more body hair than women, but its density and amount can also vary in men. It can range from very sparse, barely noticeable hair to medium and very thick hair. Those who have very thick hair may think that it is abnormal body hair growth and constantly wonder: “ Why am I so hairy as a man? ”
This can be attributed to various factors such as genetics, ethnicity, hormonal factors and lifestyle. If you want to know more about excessive body hair in men, the most common problems and their solutions, keep reading the article!
Table of contents:
- Part 1: Why am I so hairy as a man?
- Part 2: Do women like hairy men?
- Part 3: The Hairiest Man: A Look at Extreme Cases
- Part 4: How to get rid of excessive body hair?
- Part 5: Conclusion
Why am I so hairy as a man?
Men usually have more hair than women. But if you think you are hairier even compared to other men, these could be some of the reasons why:
Genetic influence
Your hair growth is greatly influenced by genetics. Studies have shown that its density, color, texture, growth rate and length are all determined by genes. If excessive body hair runs in your family, you may also inherit the traits for more body hair growth. So if you have more body hair compared to your peers, your genetics are to blame!
Ethnicity and Hair Growth
The amount of hair on the body also depends on ethnicity. Some ethnic groups naturally have more and denser body hair than others. For example, men from the Mediterranean or Middle Eastern region have thicker and denser body hair than East Asians. Africans also do not have as much body hair compared to whites.
Hormonal factors
Androgenic hormones include testosterone, DHEA, and derivatives of testosterone such as dihydrotestosterone. Hair growth depends on the production of these hormones. People who suffer from hormonal imbalance may experience increased hair growth that looks thicker and denser.
Lifestyle and Body Hair
Your lifestyle does not directly affect the rate of hair growth, but it does affect the production and release of androgen hormones in the body. Poor dietary habits such as eating processed foods and unhealthy fats can cause hormonal imbalance. A sedentary lifestyle and poor sleeping habits can also alter hormone levels, which in turn affect hair growth.
Medications and Body Hair
Excessive hair growth in men can also be a result of taking medications for a long period of time. Not every medication causes this. The medications responsible for excessive hair growth in men include glucocorticosteroids, which increase cortisol levels in the body and lead to hirsutism.
In addition, antipsychotic medications and immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine increase the body's hair growth rate.
Do women like hairy men?
Women's preferences regarding body hair on men vary greatly around the world. These preferences are greatly influenced by women's mentality. Most women today prefer well-groomed men rather than men with a hairy body. Some women like chest and stomach hair, but back hair is taboo for most women.
Men's Journal surveyed 105 women about their opinions on men with body hair. 73% of women had a positive attitude towards it, while 27% preferred men without body hair. Another survey by Nad's for Men found that 77% of women prefer men with a well-groomed appearance to men with hair.
Although the vast majority prefer less hairy or hairless men, it is mainly the culture and individual preferences of women that influence their final choice. For example, male models with hairless bodies are often advertised in the Western media, which greatly influences societal norms.
Similarly, women in China prefer men with little or no hair on their chest and back. In contrast, in Greek culture, it is normal to have a hairy body, and most women prefer hair on a man's chest to a shaved body.
The Hairiest Man: A Look at Extreme Cases
Are you worried about your excessive body hair? In this section, we will discuss some stories about extreme cases of body hair from the past and present that will help you worry less about your hairy body.
In the 16th century, Petrus Gonsalvus was considered a saint because of the excessive hair on his body. “ Wild Lord of Tenerife ” . After he got married, his children were also affected by this rare hereditary disease. Since this was not very common, the family was not fully accepted by the people around them. An interesting fact about him is that it is believed that the story of “ Beauty and the Beast ” was partly inspired by Peter and his wife.
Larry Gomez, also Nicknamed " Wolf Man, " he is considered the hairiest man in the world because 98% of his body is hairy. The excessive hair on his body is caused by a rare genetic disorder known as hypertrichosis. He gets his hair cut once a month, but it grows back. Despite being bullied during his childhood, he has come to terms with the hair and now lives a normal and happy life.
How to get rid of excessive body hair?
Trim
If your girlfriend doesn't like it when your chest or other parts of your body are completely hairless, you can simply trim the hair shorter. This way you will look well-groomed and still have hair on your chest.
However, you must remember that razors and beard trimmers work differently, so you will need to use a body hair trimmer to trim body hair.
Shave
Shaving offers you more complete hair removal by removing all body hair and giving you a clean look. Shaving body hair allows you to show off your abs and wear any type of shirt with confidence.
It also removes all hair perfectly, even if it is coarse and thick. All you need is the right razor and shaving foam to get a flawless shave.
waxing
Similar to shaving, waxing helps to remove all body hair thoroughly. Although it can be a bit painful, the hair removal is worth it because the wax can remove even fine body hair.
The advantage of waxing over shaving is that the results of hair removal last longer. You also need to be good with razors to shave all areas perfectly. On the other hand, waxing can be easily done at home even by beginners.
laser hair removal
If you are looking for a more reliable option, you can opt for laser hair removal. This involves using a laser to burn the hair follicles and reduce hair growth. You can use this hair removal technique on different areas such as chest, back, face, arms, and legs.
This also reduces the risk of painful ingrown hairs that occur after shaving or waxing. However, you will need several laser sessions for the treatment to be completely successful.
IPL hair removal
IPL hair removal delivers long-lasting results similar to laser hair removal. After the treatment, you will be free from the stress of daily hair removal. Do you know what's even better? You can do IPL hair removal at home with a Ulike Air 10 handheld device .
This handheld device uses IPL technology to reduce hair growth and give you visible results within 2 weeks of consistent use. It also has an SHR mode that allows you to easily remove even stubborn body hair.
electrolysis
If you are looking for a permanent solution to your body hair, you should opt for electrolysis. This hair removal technique uses electricity to destroy the hair follicles and stop hair growth permanently. It is a bit painful and requires several sessions, but after the sessions, hardly any hair grows back.
Conclusion
Genetics and ethnicity determine the density, thickness and growth rate of hair on a man's body. Sometimes, an imbalance in hormones can also lead to excessive hair growth. Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, sleep and medications can also affect androgen levels and lead to excessive hair growth.
In men, this hair is mostly considered normal. Therefore, every man must consider it as his unique feature and embrace his natural body hair. Those who don't like their hair can either trim it shorter or remove it by shaving or waxing. You can also try semi-permanent or permanent hair removal methods such as laser, IPL or electrolysis.
