Why Am I So Hairy As A Man? Is It Normal?

Men usually have more body hair as compared to women but their density and amount can vary even in men. They can range from very light, barely noticeable hair to medium and very thick hair.  Those who have very dense hair might think it is abnormal body hair growth and constantly wonder “Why am I so hairy as a man?”

This can be attributed to various factors like genetics, ethnicity, hormonal factors, and lifestyle. Want to know more details about excessive body hair in men, common concerns regarding them, and their solutions, continue reading the article!

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: Why Am I So Hairy As A Man?
• Part 2: Do Women Like Hairy Men?
• Part 3: The Hairiest Man: A Look At Extreme Cases
• Part 4: How to Get Rid of Excessive Body Hair?

Part 1: Why Am I So Hairy As A Man?

Men usually have more hair than women. But if you think that you are more hairy even as compared to other men, these can be some of the reasons behind it:

Genetic Influence

Your hair growth is greatly influenced by genetics. According to studies, their density, color, texture, growth rate, and length are determined by genetics. If you have a family history of excessive body hair, you might also inherit the traits for more body hair growth. So, if you have more body hair in comparison to your fellows, your genetics is to blame for it!

Ethnicity and Hair Growth

The number of hairs on one’s body also depends upon their ethnicity. Some races naturally have thicker and more body hair than others. For instance, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern men have thicker and denser body hair as compared to East Asians. Similarly, Africans also do not have much body hair as compared to white people. 

Hormonal Factors

Androgen hormones include Testosterone, DHEA, and derivatives of Testosterones like dihydrotestosterone. Hair growth depends upon the level of production of these hormones, Those who are suffering from any hormonal imbalances may experience more hair growth with a thicker and denser appearance. 

Lifestyle and Body Hair

Your lifestyle does not directly influence hair growth rate but it does affect the production and release of androgen hormones in the body. Poor dietary habits such as eating processed food, and unhealthy fats can cause a hormonal imbalance. Similarly, a sedentary lifestyle and poor sleep habits can also cause changes in hormonal levels which, in turn, affects hair growth. 

Medication and Body Hair 

Excessive hair growth in men can also be a result of taking medications for a long time. For instance, not every medication causes this. The drugs responsible for inducing excessive hair growth in men include glucocorticosteroids which cause elevated cortisol levels in the body leading to hirsutism.

In addition, anti-psychotic medications and immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine also increase the body’s hair growth rate.

Part 2: Do Women Like Hairy Men?

The preferences of women regarding body hair in men vary widely all over the world. These preferences are highly influenced by the mindsets of women. Most women these days prefer well-groomed men rather than someone with a hairy body. Some women have chest and belly hair but the back hair is a no for most of them. 

Men’s Journal asked 105 women about their views on men with body hair. 73% of women had a positive view regarding this while 27% rather preferred men with no body hair. Another survey by Nad’s for Men revealed that 77% of women prefer men with well-groomed appearance to hairy men.

Even though a vast majority prefer less hairy or hairless men, the culture and individual preferences of women mainly shape their final choices. For instance, Western media often promotes male models with hair-free bodies which is currently influencing the societal norms to a great extent.

Similarly, women in China prefer males with little to no hair on their chests and back. In contrast, in Greek culture, having hairy bodies is normal and most women prefer hair on a man’s chest rather than a shaved body.

Part 3: The Hairiest Man: A Look At Extreme Cases

Worried about your excessive body hair? In this section, we will discuss about some stories of extreme cases of body hair from the history and present times which will help you worry less about your hairy body. 

In the 16th century, Petrus Gonsalvus was known as the “wild gentleman of Tenerife” because of the excessive hair on his body. After he got married, even his children were affected by this rare genetic condition. As this was not very common, the family was not accepted completely by the people around them. An interesting fact about him is that it is believed that the story of Beauty and the Beast is partially inspired by Petrus and his wife. 

In the present times, Larry Gomez also called the “Wolf Man” is known to be the hairiest man in the world as 98% of his body is covered in hair. The excessive hair on his body is caused by a rare genetic disorder known as hypertrichosis. He gets a haircut once a month but they grow back. Even though he was bullied in his childhood as he got older, he embraced those hair and is now living a normal and happy life. 

Part 4: How to Get Rid of Excessive Body Hair?

Trimming

If your lady does not like your chest or other areas of her body completely hairless, you can just trim the hair to a shorter length. This will allow you to look groomed while still keeping hair on your chest. 

However, you must keep in mind that razors and beard trimmers work differently so you must use a body groomer to trim the body hair. 

Shaving

Shaving offers you a more extensive hair removal by removing all the body hair and giving you a clean look. By shaving the body hair, you can flex your abs and wear any kind of shirt confidently. 

Moreover, it can work perfectly to remove all the hair even if they are coarse and thick. All you need is the right razor and shaving cream to give yourself a flawless shave. 

Waxing

Similar to shaving, waxing also helps remove all the body hair thoroughly. Although it can be a bit painful, the hair removal is going to be worth it as the wax can even remove fine body hair. 

The benefit of waxing over shaving is that it allows the hair removal results to last longer. In addition, you need to be good with razors to shave all the areas perfectly. On the other hand, waxing can be easily done by beginners at home. 

Laser Hair Removal

If you are looking for a more reliable option, you can go for laser hair removal. It includes the use of a laser to burn the hair follicles and reduce the hair growth. You can benefit from this hair removal technique on various areas like the chest, back, face, arms, and legs. 

This also reduces the risk of painful ingrown hair that occurs after shaving or waxing. However, you will require multiple laser sessions for the treatment to be completely successful. 

IPL Hair Removal

IPL hair removal is similar to laser in providing you with long-lasting results. After getting the treatment done, you are going to free yourself from the stress of everyday hair removal. Do you know what is even better? You can benefit from IPL hair removal at home with a Ulike Air 10 handset.

This handset utilizes IPL technology to reduce hair growth and provide you with visible results within 2 weeks of consistent use. It also has an SHR mode that can remove even stubborn body hair easily. 

Electrolysis 

If you want a permanent solution to your hair body, go for electrolysis. It is a hair removal technique that utilizes current to destroy the hair follicles and stop the hair growth permanently. It is a bit painful and requires multiple sessions but you will see little to no hair growth after completing the sessions. 

Conclusion

Genetics and ethnicity decide the density, thickness, and growth rate of hair on a man’s body. Sometimes, an imbalance in hormones can also lead to excessive hair growth. Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, sleep, and medications can also affect the level of androgen hormones resulting in extra hair growth.

In men, these hairs are mostly considered normal. Therefore, every man must consider it as their unique characteristic and embrace their natural body hair. Those who do not like their hair can either trim them shorter or remove them either by shaving or waxing them. You can also try semi-permanent or permanent hair removal methods like laser, IPL, or electrolysis.