Ah, back hair! Unlike hair on other parts of the male body, back hair can sometimes be viewed rather negatively in the eyes of both women and men. When it comes to hair on a man’s body, chest hair and even hair on the arms and legs is quite sexy and manly. But when it comes to hair on the back, it is not always such a desirable thing to possess, especially if the hair is present in thick bundles.

A little Back Hair History

Back hair, as with hair on other parts of the body, evolved from long before humans ruled planet Earth. Studies published in the Journal of Human Evolution show that one reason that hair developed was to protect the body from extreme temperatures and harsh sunlight. Most men will have hair on their backs in varying degrees, as it is one of the areas where hair grows during puberty.^[1] On some men, the back hair is quite sparse and hardly visible, while other men have dark, coarse hair that covers most of the back.

The Testosterone Effect

Perhaps unsurprisingly, testosterone has something to do with the presence of back hair. Testosterone is part of a group of chemicals called androgens that occur naturally in men’s bodies and fuels the growth of hair. Most men have around the same level of testosterone, but some men’s bodies may be more sensitive to testosterone than others, which explains why some men have more hair on their bodies than other men do.^[2]

Also, every individual hair follicle may vary in their sensitivity to androgen. This can explain why, sometimes, hair may grow in patches and appear to be denser on one part of the back.^[3] It may come as some of a surprise to know that testosterone levels actually continue to increase in men until around the age of 70. This is the reason why older men can often develop a hairy back, even if they didn’t have much fuzz in the area when they were younger. Most male hair will carry on growing as men age, particularly in areas where maybe there wasn’t so much hair before. ^[4]

Gain some, lose some

Why do some older men go bald then? This is because on the scalp, lies an androgen called DHT. Hair follicles on the scalp are particularly sensitive to this androgen and a reaction causes the hair follicles to shrink, eventually to the point where they cannot support the growth of a new hair.^[5] This then causes falling of hair and eventual baldness.

What can be done about it?

It may not be an often-talked-about subject, but there are many hair removal options for men who wish to tame their body hair. For a long term solution, one option is Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) technology. Often compared to laser hair removal, IPL removes hair from the follicle by focusing a broad spectrum of light on the pigment of the strands^[6]. And the development of at-home IPL devices has meant that permanent hair reduction can now be achieved from the comfort of your own home, perhaps saving money on return trips to a salon. Most men prefer to remove their body hair in private, so this is a good option to try. Another option is the Veet Sensitive Touch Beauty Trimmer, which is an easy-to-operate device that can provide permanent hair reduction in as few as ten treatments.^[6] However, when it comes to your back, you will probably need to ask your better half to carry out the procedure for you!

Thinking short-term

If you would rather try out the smooth look on a short term basis, a hair removal cream can be an effective way of getting the job done. Veet Hair Removal Cream has been developed to work effectively in just three to six minutes after being applied to your skin^[7]. For a no-mess option, the cream is also easy to wash off in the shower. Again, as the back can be a very difficult area to reach, we recommend you enlist the help of a trusted friend or your partner. If you aren’t sure you’re ready to commit to permanent hair removal solutions, you may find that this could be the best option for you!

As trends change and the world of cosmetics advances in size and scope, more and more men are opting to remove unwanted hair. If back hair is becoming an unruly issue for you, we hope this has helped you find the hair-removal option that’s right for you.

 

[1] http://www.ehow.com/facts_5832320_do-men-grow-hair-back_.html

[2] http://mentalfloss.com/article/54444/why-cant-some-men-grow-facial-hair

[3] http://www.ehow.com/facts_5832320_do-men-grow-hair-back_.html

[4] http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/questions/question/2116/

[5] http://www.professorshouse.com/health-beauty/personal-care/articles/why-does-hair-grow-on-my-back-as-i-age/

[6] http://www.veet.co.uk/products/intense-pulsed-light-ipl/infini-silk/infini-silk-pro/

[7] http://www.veet.co.uk/products/creams/creams/veet-hair-removal-cream/