For most women, body hair is a problem. Therefore, many arm themselves with wax and a razor, practice shugaring, or decide on laser hair removal.
Meanwhile, hair has a long history, there are a lot of amazing facts about them and, it seems, we should take care of them!
Fact 1: Body hair does not last long
Have you ever wondered why the hair on the body is so short, and the hair on the head is surprising in its silkiness and length?
The reason body hair doesn’t grow longer than a couple of centimeters is because it has a short lifespan. It is only 6 months, after which the hair falls out and a new one grows. For comparison: hair on the head can live from 3 to 5 years.
Fact 2: Each Hair Has Its Own Muscle
Believe it or not, this tiny muscle can make your hair stand on end.
Fact 3: The More Hair, the Higher the IQ
Such unexpected results were obtained by an American study led by a psychiatrist, Dr. Elias Aykarakudi. In a survey of 117 Mensa members (who have an IQ of at least 140), it was found that they tend to have thicker body hair.
Similar results were obtained among students. The top-rated trainees had more body hair.
Fact 4: your body odor depends on your hair
Each hair on a woman’s body has its own sebaceous gland. It is responsible for producing sweat and protecting the skin from germs. And it also creates a body odor that lasts longer if it “settles” in your hair.
By the way, this scent can act on the opposite sex as an aphrodisiac!
Fact 5: Hair can taste
The path from the nasal passages to the lungs in the human body is lined with fine hairs called cilia. They are capable of trapping and removing contaminants.
According to a 2009 study by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, when cilia recognize a bitter taste (such as nicotine), they increase their speed and range of motion, “banishing” anything bad.
That hair can tell you about your health, see the article “Diagnosis of hair: the truth and the lie”!
Fact 6: They Regulate Body Temperature
Hair can trap heat if it’s cold and help wick away sweat if it’s hot. Surprisingly, but true: they are involved in the processes of heat regulation.
Therefore, deciding on laser hair removal, you may lose the “little tool” that helps you to live comfortably. From a scientific point of view, of course. Aesthetics is another matter!
Fact 7: Certain areas are particularly vulnerable to ingrown hairs
As you’ve probably guessed by now, the most sensitive area of a woman’s body is the bikini line. It is on it that inflamed nodules appear most often and hair grows in. This occurs for several reasons.
“Firstly, pubic hair is more curly, and therefore, as it grows, it can curl and begin to grow inward of the skin, rather than going out,” explains Jessica Krant, MD, dermatologist, surgeon. – Secondly, the bikini line is constantly exposed to friction and pressure from the garment, which can also prevent hairs from growing straight forward and cause them to grow in.
Fact 8: Chances are you shave your armpits the wrong way
As a preventive measure against ingrown hair, shave the armpits in the direction of vegetation growth. For most of the fair sex, this direction is up.
“But many women have preferences and can choose to shave in the opposite direction,” says Dr. Jessica Krant. “Shaving against hair growth produces a smoother result, but it also increases the likelihood of ingrown hairs.”
Fact 9: Cuts cannot be ignored
If you accidentally cut yourself while shaving, chances are your razor is dull and needs to be replaced with a sharp device. Experts have noticed that the more blades on the razor, the lower the likelihood of cuts and irritation.
But what if the cut is deep? Dr. Jessica Krant recommends rinsing it under running water, pressing lightly on the edge of the wound to stop bleeding, then lubricating the cut with petroleum jelly and applying a bandage until it heals completely.
Fact 10: Shaving really exfoliates your skin
Don’t waste your money buying foot exfoliating scrubs if you’re using a razor to fight off excess leg vegetation.
“Shaving itself exfoliates the skin as the device glides over the surface, scraping off the outer layers,” explains Dr. Jessica Krant. – However, if you shave frequently, you should be careful and work without pressure. Excessive exfoliation will leave your skin dry and vulnerable.”
Fact 11: Shaving does not change the structure and thickness of the hair
The fact that after a single shave the hair will begin to grow darker, thicker, faster, thicker, or somehow – grandmother’s tales. They are caused by the fact that shaving cuts off the hair in the middle of their shaft, thereby making their tip protruding outward, not sharp, but dull. Therefore, the hair appears more voluminous and darker.
And one more nuance. Before puberty, the girl’s body hair grows thinner and softer. Then the structure changes – they become darker and thicker. But shaving has nothing to do with it. The hormonal background just changes, and the girl becomes a girl.
Fact 12: Dense vegetation can indicate pathology
“If you notice that you have too much hair on your body – excess hair has appeared over the upper lip, chin, chest or abdomen, and besides, you have an irregular menstrual cycle and are overweight, this is an important reason to see a doctor, – says the doctor. Jessica Krant. – These signs may indicate a hormonal imbalance or indicate a phenomenon such as polycystic ovary syndrome. All this requires the intervention of a medical specialist.”
Fact 13: Almost all women struggle with excess hair on their bodies.
Or at least get rid of the hair in the bikini area. Such data were presented by a 2015 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Surveys have shown that 90% of women have gotten rid of pubic hair in the last 4 weeks. At the same time, 80% of them admitted that they feel itchy after shaving. So if bikini irritation is typical for you, know – you are not alone!
And finally, one more fact: the same study revealed that 60% of men prefer intimate relationships with women without vegetation in the bikini area. But at the same time, only 19% of the stronger sex themselves remove hair in the groin area.
