Puberty and Hair Growth: Understanding the Hormonal Changes

Puberty is the beginning of physical adulthood, and is marked by the production and release of a number of growth hormones. One of the most powerful is androgen, which stimulates a number of changes, including hair growth.

Androgen Definition

• Androgen is a broad term that encompasses a number of steroid hormones produced either by the testes or adrenal glands, including testosterone.

Androgen-Sensitive Hair

• Though the hair on our heads can be stimulated by small amounts of androgen, it takes much larger doses to stimulate growth in other areas.

Pubic Androgens

• The onset of puberty creates a "critical mass" of steroids in the human body, which is enough to stimulate growth of body and facial hair.

Body Hair

• It has been postulated that pubic and body hair grows at the onset of sexual maturity for warmth and to trap the sexual-attractant pheromones produced in these areas.

Facial Hair

• The medically accepted rationale for facial and underarm hair is that it helps to prevent skin from rubbing against itself and chafing during physical activity.