Underarm hair
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Underarm hair, also called axillary hair, is the composition of hair in the underarm area. This hair, as most of the other body hair, normally starts to appear between at puberty, and growth is usually complete by the end of teen age. The release of pheromones from the axilla at this stage of human development suggests association of armpit hair with sexuality. The positive response to olfactory stimulus in mammals and the consequent intensification of the sex drive caused by release of pheromones offers useful clues as to the purpose and importance of axillary hair in humans.
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[edit] Removal of underarm hair
In many Western countries, it is common for women (and sometimes men) to shave off their underarm hair regularly for aesthetic reasons if it is likely to be in view, although the prevalence of this varies widely.
[edit] History of practice
The practice began around 1915 in the United Kingdom and the United States, when one or more magazines showed a woman in a dress with shaved underarms [1]. Regular shaving became feasible with the introduction of safety razors at the beginning of the 20th century. Underarm shaving did not become widespread on the Continent of Europe until well after World War II [2].
[edit] Effects of shaving
It is a commonly believed myth that shaving hair will cause it grow thicker over time. [3] This myth most likely persists because stubble does not taper like hair that is allowed to grow long, and because short hairs feel coarser than longer hairs of the same thickness. Armpit hair removal must be performed more frequently than leg shaving, as underarm hair grows faster than leg hair. The armpit area can darken over a period of time and, even with a close shave, an "evening shadow" may be visible. Because hair under the skin can contribute to a dark appearance of the underarm, waxing, by removing the hair from the root, can effectively reduce this darkness.[4]
Both use of underarm antiperspirants and shaving have been claimed to be linked to breast cancer in women. However, no valid scientific study has identified a correlation between breast cancer and antiperspirant use or underarm shaving. [5]
[edit] Reasons for hair removal
While the majority of men do not shave their armpits, many women do so for aesthetic reasons, a practice that seems in line with overall body hair distribution of sexes. Religious reasons emanating from personal cleanliness requirements are sometimes cited, though deodorants and antiperspirants have largely taken care of body hygiene. Competitive swimmers remove all body hair (including underarms) to make their bodies more streamlined before taking part in races. It is also common amongst bodybuilders, for aesthetic reasons.
