By Jason
February 13, 2024
6 minutes
Nipple hair along with chest hair comes naturally in men as they hit puberty. Thus, it is considered a norm. But nipple hair women are not very obvious, making women concerned if they grow several strands of black, thick, and stubborn hair around their nipple-areolar complex.
We will talk about this extraordinary topic today to find out why women grow nipple hair, how to get rid of nipple hair in women, and if men should remove their nipple hair in this article.
So, stay tuned and get rid of those pesky and annoying hair.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: Why Do I Have Nipple Hair?
- Part 2: Is Nipple Hair Normal?
- Part 3: How to Get Rid of Nipple Hair?
- Part 4: Should I Shave My Nipple Hair? (Male Perspective)
Part 1: Why Do I Have Nipple Hair?
Not all women grow hair around their nipples. But let us tell you that many women grow them. So, here are 4 causes behind this variation.
1. Genetics and Hereditary
Nipple hair is common in hairy people and hairy families. The reason? It is genetics. The combination of chromosomes from your maternal and paternal sides determines where and how much hair you will grow. Thus, genetics and ethnicity are giving you undesired hair around the nipples.
2. Hormonal Status
If you did not have nipple hair in the past and are growing it out of nowhere, your hormonal status can be an important cause. Hormonal level changes during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause resulting in unwanted hair on uncommon areas like nipples.
Also, it is the excess of androgens, the male hormones that result in nipple hair growth.
3. Medical Disorders
Medical diseases that affect the concentration of steroid hormones in the body are one of the leading causes of nipple hair. These include PCOS, Cushing’s syndrome, adrenal syndrome, and hirsutism.
One common finding in these diseases is an increase in the level of testosterone in the body. Its production is triggered by the ovaries, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus.
4. Side Effects of Drugs
In addition to medical conditions, the prolonged usage of some drugs in chronic illnesses can also result in nipple hair. It happens when the medicine has the potential to stimulate hair follicles.
Drugs that cause objectionable nipple hair growth include hormonal replacement therapy, hormone-containing chemotherapy like tamoxifen, exogenous steroids, scalp hair stimulating agent minoxidil, and anti-epileptic medications like phenytoin.
Part 2: Is Nipple Hair Normal?
Hair on any body part with skin and hair follicles is common. So, yes, nipple hair is widespread. A large number of women and almost all men have nipple hair. However, they do not talk about it openly resulting in a misconception that nipple hair might not be normal.
Do you see little bumps around your nipple in a circumference where the pigmented area ends? Well, those bumps are hair follicles. In some cases, these follicles result in the growth of the hair after stimulation. In other cases, they stay dormant all their life.
This is the reason why some women have nipple hair while others lack it. Also, nipple hair in many women is fine and light-brown to blonde colored which are not obvious while others have dark and thick nipple hair.
So, rest assured that having nipple hair, having no nipple hair, and having fine or dense nipple hair is all pretty normal.
Part 3: How to Get Rid of Nipple Hair?
While nipple hair might be normal, they are not liked by women. The reasons for this are cultural norms, maintenance of hygiene, and personal preference. So, if you are also a lady who wants to get rid of nipple hair, let us find out the most compatible hair removal method for you.
Also, know about Personalized Hair Removal: Tailoring Techniques to Your Skin and Hair Type for your facial and body hair here.
1. Shaving Nipple Hair
People love shaving their body hair as it works super quickly and at an affordable price. You can shave your nipple hair as well. Just like you prepare your skin for shaving legs, prepare the area around the nipples with a lubricating agent.
Then get a new razor, ensure your bathroom is well-lit, and start shaving. It will take less than a minute for the area around the nipples.
However, shaving nipple hair is not the safest option out there because the areola is a sensitive part of the skin and so is the nipple. A little distraction or unexpected movement of your hand can give your nipple a cut, something you will never want.
2. Trimming Nipple Hair
Trimming works just like shaving because both cut the nipple hair strands at the level of the skin. But it is relatively a better option in women with a little hair around the nipples. You have to be careful in trimming the nipple hair as well.
But there is less skin preparation and a single small pair of scissors is all you need. Turn on the bright lights, and grab the small scissors with blunt or rounded ends so that you do not accidentally poke the nipple area and cut the hair just near the skin.
3. Waxing or Sugaring Nipple Hair
Trimming nipple hair is painless and quick but it can result in ingrown hair and potential damage to the skin. Not to mention the quick hair regrowth around the nipples. Therefore, you might want to try waxing or sugaring the nipple hair.
Although long-lasting, it also needs caution. Therefore, you should not try it at home because it might impart trauma to your breasts. Going to a salon is a better choice.
4. IPL Hair Removal for Nipple Hair:
IPL hair removal gives you the benefits of shaving/trimming and waxing together while avoiding the adverse effects of both. Ulike Air3 IPL Hair Removal for Face, Pubic & Body Hair can be safely used on your nipple hair as well.
Simply trim or shave the hair, flash the impulses from Ulike, get treatments according to the schedule, and you can enjoy a flawless nipple area for up to 6 months. However, consider the color of your nipples before buying any IPL device.
5. Laser Hair Removal for Nipple Hair:
If you are afraid of doing IPL nipple hair removal at home even if it is completely safe, we suggest you try in-office laser hair removal. It is an expert-performed procedure that works on the same principle as that of IPL.
Although a little expensive, it might be worth the money if your nipple hair is stressing you out.
6. Electrolysis for Nipple Hair:
IPL and laser hair removal only last for some months to a few years for nipple hair. Therefore, electrolysis nipple hair removal is an option for you if you want a hair removal method that lasts forever.
However, be mentally prepared for the pain that can occur during electrolysis hair removal treatment as it is a process where hair follicles are poked with a thin wire.
Part 4: Should I Shave My Nipple Hair? (Male Perspective)
Men do not bother nipple hair much whether they have it or their partner does. Nipple hair is considered a completely normal occurrence by men. However, some males might not like it because they prefer well-groomed bodies. Therefore, they shave their chests and remove nipple hair along with it while others do not groom their chest or nipple hair.
It is important to note that both of these are normal. Also, we live in a world that is learning to accept people and their choices without judging them for their physical appearance.
Therefore, you, as a man, can choose to remove the nipple hair or not. If you want to learn how to get rid of hair seamlessly, we have a little guide for you here; Shaving Chest Hair: A Comprehensive Guide!
Last but not least, do not let anyone tell you what to do with your private hair as it is important to make your own choice based on your morals and aesthetics.
The Final Verdict
Nipple hair is normal, fine, and safe. Thus you should not be worried about growing any thick or fine hair around your areola. This hair is considered to have been removed in evolution when people started preferring hairless bodies.
In the past, nipple hair played a role in optimizing body temperature. Nevertheless, you have a choice to accept yourself with the nipple hair or get rid of it easily with the methods mentioned above.
