Why Do Men Have Chest Hair? The reason men grow chest hair comes down to genetics and biology. It is theorized that chest hair was a positive physical attribute thousands of years ago that helped keep your body warm. Chest hair also made it easier to visually spot fleas on the body.
Hirsutism is excess hair growth on the body or face. It's caused by excess hormones called androgens. For women, the hair may grow in places where men often have a lot of hair, but women often don't. This includes the upper lip, chin, chest, and back.
It keeps us warm by preserving heat. Hair in the nose, ears, and around the eyes protects these sensitive areas from dust and other small particles. Eyebrows and eyelashes protect eyes by decreasing the amount of light and particles that go into them.
Like so many things, it comes down to a mixture of genetics and hormones. We know that at least some of the genes for hairiness are carried on the X chromosome – and the way these genes are expressed varies between different men and ethnic groups – but hairiness also correlates with high testosterone levels.
A hairy chest signals higher intelligence in a man, somewhat tongue-in-cheek research finds. Dr Aikarakudy Alias, a psychiatrist, has found that hairy chests are more frequent among men who are highly educated, such as doctors.
PROTECTION AGAINST THE SUN: People who have a hairy body are less prone to sunburn and rashes. Another purpose that they serve is to keep us warm. This process goes like this- when we feel cold, our body hair stands on end and trap warm air which is closer to the surface of the skin.
Scientists think that the build-up from years of producing testosterone disrupts the cycle of hair growth in men. As a result, the hair in some places grows longer before it falls out. That's why older men need to keep trimming eyebrows, nose hair and ear hair!
Humans are the only primate species that has mostly naked skin. Loss of fur was an adaptation to changing environmental conditions that forced our ancestors to travel longer distances for food and water. Analyses of fossils and genes hint at when this transformation occurred.
Overall, 40 percent of the women agree. However, 43 percent of the total women surveyed prefer men keep all their chest hair, considering it a sign of masculinity. And 17 percent want a smooth chest without a single hair. For the men, 83 percent said they have just let their chest hair grow.
The individual occurrence and characteristics of chest hair depend on the genetic disposition, the hormonal status and the age of the person. The genes primarily determine the amount, patterns and thickness of chest hair. Some men are very hairy, while others have no chest hair at all.
Signs and symptoms of high testosterone in men
Excess testosterone can lead to more aggressive and irritable behavior, more acne and oily skin, even worse sleep apnea (if you already have it), and an increase in muscle mass.
Hair around your nipples may be a holdover from when body hair was an important part of regulating your temperature, Dr. Zeichner says. Since things like air conditioning, heaters, and fuzzy sweaters can do that now, the hair around your nipples doesn't seem to serve any present-day purpose.
Keeping chest hair is a matter of choice. While some men prefer keeping it, others prefer a clean look. A lot of men also opt for permanent chest hair removal for varied reasons. While some remove it for hygiene purposes, reducing sweat and body odour, others do it to flaunt their body.
Aromatic chemicals (namely testosterone) are released through these glands, which is what you might call the whole “manly musk.” In turn, chest hair traps those odors and even strengthens them, which is basically a way of saying “I am a man” very loud, via odor.
A more widely accepted theory is that, when human ancestors moved from the cool shady forests into the savannah, they developed a new method of thermoregulation. Losing all that fur made it possible for hominins to hunt during the day in the hot grasslands without overheating.
In the “choose the most attractive picture” questions, the photo of a woman without body hair was rated significantly more attractive than the one with body hair, with 95.2% of the participants choosing the hairless women.
Many professional bodybuilders and fitness devotees shave because hair-free skin shows muscle definition better. Even if you're not in the pro circuit, there's no shame in showing off your gains at the gym. After all, you work hard and it shows –– so show what you've earned while hitting those weights.
As you age and your testosterone decreases, usually in your 50s, you'll start to notice things are a little less bushy down there. “It's a slow progressive loss,” Steixner explains. “It's not so much balding as a progressive thinning of hair until it appears to be almost non-existent.”
Many hair follicles stop producing new hairs. Men may start showing signs of baldness by the time they are 30 years old. Many men are nearly bald by age 60.
If baldness runs in your family, hair loss can occur on your legs as well as your head. Losing hair on your legs is also connected with a number of health issues, like poor circulation, diabetes, thyroid conditions, fungal infections, folliculitis, hormone changes, and pituitary gland disorders.
What Percentage Of Guys Have Chest Hair? A study of over 1100 men ages 17 - 71 found that only 6% had no chest hair at all, while 56% displayed a moderate amount of chest hair. 38% of men displayed a light amount of chest hair.
Much more men are picking up the razor nowadays to shave body hair and for a variety of reasons, including: Personal hygiene and an increased feeling of cleanliness. Able to smell better and avoid unpleasant body odour. For aesthetic reasons.
Genetics is the most common cause of a hairy back in men. Certain genes in men make them more likely to be susceptible to the effects of testosterone, which encourages the growth of body hair. This is also why most men grow facial hair more easily than most women.