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Genetic Influence and Ethnicity

Published in Hair Growth Factors 3 mins read

Why Am I So Hairy?

Hairiness varies greatly between individuals. Several factors contribute to how hairy a person is, and understanding these can provide clarity.

Excessive hairiness, or hirsutism, often runs in families. This is especially prevalent in families of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent. [Reference: Excessive hairiness tends to run in families, especially in families of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent.] Your genetics play a significant role in determining your hair growth patterns and density. This is a natural variation and not necessarily a cause for concern. [Reference: Jul 20, 2023 ... Being hairy is usually the result of strong testosterone levels. Testosterone helps build muscle mass, keeps your bones strong, and can help...]

Hormonal Factors

Hormones, particularly testosterone, influence hair growth. Higher levels of testosterone can lead to increased hair growth in both men and women. [Reference: Boys having high levels of testosterone will develop a hairier body.] In women, excessive hairiness can sometimes indicate an underlying hormonal imbalance related to the pituitary or adrenal glands. [Reference: The excessive hairiness in children and women may be caused by pituitary or adrenal glands disorders.] Post-menopausal women may also experience increased hair growth. [Reference: In addition, women may develop excessive hairiness after menopause.]

Puberty and Age

Puberty marks a significant increase in hormone production, leading to increased hair growth in both boys and girls. [Reference: Yes it is normal, you're going through puberty and bit early, that can be because of your heritage.] Starting puberty earlier than average can result in seemingly excessive hair growth at a younger age. [Reference: You just started puberty a bit earlier than others and grew adult hair a bit early too.]

Cultural Perceptions

Societal views on body hair significantly impact how individuals perceive their own hairiness. What might be considered "excessive" in one culture might be entirely normal in another. [Reference: I'm of Mediterranean descent and I'm so damn hairy lol. When a lot of women say they're hairy, they mean their armpits, legs and pubic hair but I'm talking...]

In Summary

Hairiness is largely determined by genetics and hormone levels. Puberty and age also contribute. While excessive hairiness can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, it's often a normal variation within the spectrum of human genetics.

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