the purpose of body hair: hair removal trends and why leaving it alone can be beneficial
body hair removal has been going on for thousands of years, but the trendy push to be hairless may leave you more at risk for adverse health effects.
4 minute read
to shave or not to shave? that is the question.
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body hair is natural, and since the dawn of humans, it has always existed. still, that doesn’t stop people from wanting to wax, trim or laser it away for smooth, hair-free skin, specifically women.
the ever-changing trends of body hair and removal
while the trend of the hairless-except-for-her-head woman seems relatively new, the practice of removing body hair isn’t. according to historical records, the earliest body hair removal tools are as old as 30,000 bce. back then, though, it was more on the men to remove facial hair.
between 3000 and 50 bce, ancient greek and egyptian civilizations also idolized sleek and hairless bodies, using shaving and depilation to achieve this look. this was true for both men and women at the time, with greek sculptures showcasing hairless and heavily groomed bodies. it wasn’t until the 1800s that pubic hair on a woman was shown in western art.
in the early 1900s, magazines targeting women began campaigning for the removal of underarm, leg and pubic hair, and that hairless look has been ebbing and flowing since then. the idea that having less body hair was cleaner also gained traction.
trends really do come and go, and over the years, body hair or the lack thereof has gone through many generational cycles.
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in today’s modern world, the majority of western women still remove much of their body hair, despite efforts to change the stigma surrounding hair growth and its cultural acceptance with social media movements and anti-shaving campaigns.
the purpose of body hair
the removal of body hair, however old, was always for pure vanity. while some thought less body hair meant a higher level of cleanliness, that’s not the case. hygiene practices with or without body hair are the best path toward cleanliness.
in fact, having body hair can actually provide more health benefits than one might think.
protection for skin and body
more hair on the body can act as a protective layer against the sun, leading to reduced sun damage in areas that see the sun most, like the legs, arms or head. other hair in the nose, ears or the eyelashes and eyebrows also plays an essential role in keeping foreign invaders, such as germs, dust and dirt particles, from getting into body cavities. the less hair a person has in these areas, the higher the likelihood that something will pass through.
for example, a person who shaves off their pubic hair may be more susceptible to infections because they don’t have hair there acting as a barrier against pathogens. to put it simply, your hair acts as a net for microscopic particles that could cause you harm.
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hair follicles also produce sebum, a substance that prevents bacteria from colonizing the skin and causing infection. while shaving or waxing doesn’t stop this production of sebum, other hair removal methods, such as laser, can cause them to produce less, which increases the risk of bacteria growing out of control.
some forms of hair are also thought to produce antimicrobial types of bacteria, which can hinder the overgrowth of harmful germs. but when removed, that first line of defence is all but non-existent. for example, one study found that the removal of pubic hair in women can increase the recurrence rate of urinary tract infections.
friction and trauma to the skin can also be minimized when there is hair present. for example, underarm hair can reduce friction during walking or performing other activities, whereas pubic hair reduces potentially-harmful friction that can occur during sexual intercourse.
body hair keeps you warm
as humans evolved, they lost a lot of their body hair to create more sweat glands, allowing them to stay cool. so, having more body hair doesn’t help much when it comes to heat. however, it does play a role in thermoregulation in the colder months.
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having hair is vital for thermal regulation by encouraging the body to hold an ideal temperature. according to informed health, when exposed to cold weather, hair on the body stands up to form a warming layer by keeping the air that’s closest to the skin as warm as possible.
while the effects of body hair on thermal regulation are minimal, that fuzz is still a key player in thermoregulation.
pheromone transmission to attract a mate
while many people see a mostly hairless body as desirable, bodies with hair are more effective at attracting a mate because hair can trap and transmit pheromones.
pheromones are substances that are secreted from specific sweat glands in the body, known as apocrine sweat glands. the areas that are often shaved, such as the pubic area, have a lot of these glands, and thus may have the ability to trap and release more pheromones, appearing more desirable to potential partners.
to remove or not to remove body hair
there are plenty of methods of hair removal, but one method—leaving it alone—is also on the table, especially if you want to remove the cultural pressure while also allowing yourself to benefit from having hair where it’s meant to grow.
that said, hair removal is a personal choice, and while it can reduce the risk of infections, skin damage or temperature regulation issues, completely removing hair won’t cause your body to go into shock.
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