One of the fundamental aspects of maintaining personal hygiene involves the removal of armpit hair, as it tends to trap sweat and bacteria, which can lead to unpleasant body odor. If you're looking for solutions on how to eliminate armpit smell, you're in the right place—discover valuable tips and tricks here.
Many women are concerned that their armpit hair may grow excessively long and irritate their skin. However, it's important to clarify that armpit hair only grows to a certain length and typically ceases to grow after reaching a specific age.
You might be asking yourself, “Why does armpit hair stop growing?” and how can one effectively minimize its growth? We have all the answers for you, so keep reading!
Table of Contents:
Part 1: Does Armpit Hair Stop Growing at a Certain Length?
Indeed, armpit hair does cease to grow at a specific length. This is a common characteristic of hair across all parts of the body, from the scalp down to the toes, where hair does not exceed its genetically predetermined length. This length is largely influenced by the duration of the hair growth cycle.
The length of the growth cycle varies; for instance, while scalp hair can reach lengths of up to a meter, armpit hair has a maximum growth limit of just a few centimeters, typically reaching about 2 to 3 inches.
Part 2: Does Underarm Hair Stop Growing with Age?
In addition to terminating hair growth at a certain length, armpit hair also tends to diminish after reaching a certain age, typically in the 50s for many individuals. Let's explore the growth rates of armpit hair at various life stages.
Armpit Hair Growth in Childhood
During childhood, there is minimal to no hair growth in the armpit region because the adult hormones responsible for hair growth have yet to be released. Moreover, when children do exhibit armpit hair, it is usually fine and soft vellus hair.
Armpit Hair Growth During Puberty and Teen Years
As children enter puberty, they experience changes driven by the production of adrenal hormones, a phase known as adrenarche, which marks the onset of pubic and armpit hair development. The previously fine vellus hair transforms into darker and coarser armpit hair as they transition into adolescence.
Armpit Hair Growth in Adulthood
From the 20s to the 40s, the growth rate, length, pigmentation, and thickness of armpit hair typically remain consistent unless altered by hormonal changes due to pregnancy, systemic health issues, or medications.
Armpit Hair Growth During Menopause
Women usually experience menopause in their 50s, a time when hormone levels that stimulated hair growth during puberty significantly decline. Consequently, armpit hair begins to thin out, and pigmentation loss may lead to graying.
Armpit Hair Growth Post-Menopause
After menopause, often by the time a woman reaches 60, if she is not undergoing hormone replacement therapy, she may find that most of her armpit hair has fallen out altogether. Therefore, the cessation of armpit hair growth is indeed linked to aging.
Part 3: Why Does Armpit Hair Stop Growing?
The reason behind the halt in armpit hair growth at a specified length can be summarized as follows:
Note: Since the anagen phase of hair growth lasts for only a few weeks, armpit hair stops growing at a certain length. In contrast, the anagen phase for scalp hair can extend over many years, allowing it to grow much longer.
Additionally, as one ages, the levels of hormones that stimulate the armpit hair follicles decrease, contributing to the reduction in hair growth.
