What You Need to Know About Women’s Body Hair

Body hair is one of the most natural aspects of being human, yet for women, it remains one of the most policed. Across cultures and centuries, women’s hair (and its removal) has been tied to ideas of beauty, hygiene, and even morality. But what does the science actually say about women’s hair growth, and why do societal expectations continue to dictate how women feel about their own bodies?

The Science of Hair Growth

• Hair follicles: The average human has around 5 million hair follicles, and about 100,000–150,000 of these are on the scalp. Women and men are born with roughly the same number of follicles — the difference lies in how hormones influence their activity.

• Growth cycle: Hair grows in cycles of anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). At any time, about 85–90% of hair is in the active growth stage.

• Rate of growth: Hair grows on average 1 cm per month. This applies to scalp, leg, underarm, and pubic hair, though growth rates vary slightly by body site.

• Puberty & hormones: Increased androgen activity (yes, women produce them too) triggers growth of coarser hair in the pubic and underarm regions. Conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) can lead to hirsutism — excessive hair growth in areas where men typically grow hair, such as the face, chest, or back.

Cultural Context

• History of removal: Ancient Egyptians used sugaring and pumice stones to remove hair, while the Romans associated smooth, hairless skin with class and refinement. In Europe, widespread female hair removal only took hold in the early 20th century — driven largely by advertising campaigns that promoted razors to women.

• Modern industry: The global hair removal market was valued at over $4 billion in 2023, showing just how profitable body hair stigma has become.

• Beauty standards: A 2016 UK survey found that 99% of women aged 18–24 reported removing some body hair, with legs, underarms, and bikini line being the most common areas.

Myths vs Facts

• “Shaving makes hair grow back thicker.” False. Shaving cuts hair bluntly at the surface, making it feel stubbly, but it doesn’t change thickness or growth rate.

• “Body hair is unhygienic.” False. Hair provides protection: pubic and underarm hair helps reduce friction and trap bacteria, acting as a natural barrier.

• “Everyone prefers hairless bodies.” False. Cultural norms heavily influence preferences. In some regions, such as parts of the Middle East and South Asia, complete hair removal is expected. In others, such as parts of Europe and increasingly among younger women globally, body hair acceptance movements are challenging these ideals.

Health & Confidence

Body hair has no negative health effects when left natural. In fact, waxing and shaving can cause issues such as ingrown hairs, infections, and skin irritation. The bigger health concern lies in the psychological impact of pressure to conform: studies show that women who feel judged about body hair report higher levels of body dissatisfaction and anxiety.

Women’s hair — whether on the scalp, underarms, legs, or pubic area — is natural, functional, and diverse. How someone chooses to manage it should be just that: a choice. The science is clear — there is no medical necessity to remove hair. The pressure to do so comes not from biology, but from centuries of cultural conditioning.

Perhaps the real conversation isn’t about whether women should remove body hair, but whether they feel free enough to decide without fear of judgment.