Why Does My Body Hair Grow So Fast?
You feel the stubble...and you can't help but wonder, why does my body hair grow so fast?
Body hair grows about 0.01 inch per day or 1 cm per month. Some people's hair grows faster than others. That being said, there could be a few reasons why your body hair is growing so fast. Below, we explore the reasons why and the best solutions.
Stay Smooth With These Bestselling Shave Sets
You've probably seen them on your feed already.
Why Does My Body Hair Grow So Fast?
If you've noticed that your body hair grows fast, various factors could be responsible, including genetics, hormones, and so on. Here are some possible reasons why body hair grows so fast.
You Have a Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones, especially sex hormones like testosterone (more prominent in males) and estrogen (more prominent in females), influence hair growth. Higher levels of testosterone can lead to faster and thicker body hair growth.
If you’re a woman experiencing a sudden increase in body hair, it could be hirsutism, a medical condition characterized by the excessive growth of coarse, dark hair in areas of the body where men typically grow hair, but in women who would not typically have such hair growth. These areas commonly include the face, chest, back, and abdomen. Hirsutism is typically caused by an excess of male hormones called androgens in women.
It Runs in the Family
Unfortunately, it could just be your genetics. If you’re wondering, why does my body hair grow so fast, the explanation could be simple: it runs in the family. Your genetic makeup plays a significant role in determining the speed of your body hair growth. In other words, if your parents or other family members have fast-growing body hair, you may have inherited this trait.
You May Have PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that affects nearly 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. PCOS affects how a woman’s ovaries work and is caused by an imbalance of the reproductive organs.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, too much hair on the face, chin, legs, and other body parts, adult acne, and infertility.
It’s Your Medication
Certain medications can increase body hair growth. Those include testosterone, glucocorticoids (a type of steroid), and phenytoin (an anticonvulsant). Even some anti-depressants can lead to body hair growing too fast due to their impact on androgen levels.
Hair changes are usually not permanent and will end once you come off the medication.
How Can I Stop My Body Hair From Growing So Fast?
If you’re experiencing a sudden growth in body hair, you might be wondering what you can do about it. Here are some tips to stop unwanted body hair growth.
Get to the Root of it
First things first, it’s important to treat what’s causing body hair to grow so fast. Unwanted or excessive body hair can occur anywhere on your body, from your chin to between your brows, belly to legs, and beyond.
If you’re wondering why does my body hair grow so fast, it’s likely to be caused by one of the below.
- Hormonal changes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Thyroid disorders
- Extreme insulin resistance
- Use of anabolic steroids or corticosteroids
- Certain other medications
Speak to your healthcare provider if you suspect you have any of the conditions above. They’ll be able to provide you with the appropriate treatment.
Invest in a Better Shave
Shaving won’t exactly prevent your hair from growing any faster, but it will keep skin smoother for longer. Here are some of Truly’s bestselling shave sets that are well worth the investment for a silky smooth, long-lasting shave.
Indulge in a luxurious, long-lasting shave with the iconic Smooth Legend shaving essentials. A pre-shave scrub, whipped shave butter, after shave oil, and five-blade razor, all wrapped up in a Vegan Fur Bag for the best shave of your life.
Get ready for supermodel smooth skin. The Glazed Donut Shave Set provides the closest, silkiest, and most satisfying shave you’ll ever have. Plus, it’ll leave you glistening–and smelling like a vanilla glaze treat.
Consider Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a great long-term hair removal option. It is a popular cosmetic procedure that uses laser technology to target the hair follicle and remove unwanted hair from various parts of the body.
The laser emits a highly concentrated light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicles. This absorbed light energy is then converted into heat, which damages the hair follicles and inhibits or delays future hair growth. Laser hair removal is a highly effective method for long-term hair reduction and is commonly used to treat areas such as the face, legs, arms, underarms, bikini line, and more. The process requires at least several sessions for optimal results.
Why Does Some People's Body Hair Grow Faster than Others?
The rate of body hair growth varies due to genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Genetics largely dictate the speed of hair growth. For example, if your family has fast-growing body hair, you're likely to as well. Hormones, particularly testosterone in men, encourage thicker and coarser hair growth. Environmental factors like nutrition and overall health can also influence hair growth.
Additionally, hair growth rates vary across different body areas, with facial and scalp hair typically growing faster than body hair. Ultimately, the interplay of genetics, hormones, and lifestyle factors determines why some individuals have faster-growing body hair than others.
Why does my body hair grow so fast? There could be multiple reasons. Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider if you’re seeing significant hair growth.
Photo by Cliff Booth, Pexels
