You may have noticed that pubic hair is quite different from head hair. Given that pubic hair has a short growth period, it never gets a chance to grow longer, less curly and less coarse. Within six months, these hair follicles die and the hair falls out.
Pubic hair has a few purposes we know of. It acts as a buffer to reduce chafing and helps to hide the genitals. Pubic hair also provides a large surface area to disperse sweat. Many animals attract potential partners with the odor of sweat from the groin and underarms, but today, these odors most likely keep people on the other side of the elevator.
In the past and present, hair helps protect against malaria. Our hair signals the presence of the Anopheles mosquito before it bites. Kids are at greater risk for malaria because they have less hair on their legs. The most likely purpose of our hair was probably to serve as an early warning of bodily threats. With the advent of the bikini wax and laser hair removal, we often ignore the armoring function of hair.
Final Thoughts
Aside from these utilitarian functions, hair reflects a lot about our self-esteem, gender, taste, age and attitude. It plays a big role in determining how people are attracted to us, and who we’re attracted to.
Hair can even be a source of conflict. Women sometimes prefer shorter hair, especially as they age. Men report being attracted to longer locks. On a more important note, hair shows us much about our health status. Hair growth and hair loss can signal mishaps inside our bodies. We care about our hair. It’s no surprise that people in the United States alone spend $50 billion on hair care.
We care about cleaning it, beautifying it and keeping it in some places (while removing it from others”>. Like skin, your hair can also glow and shine. You just have to use the right solutions for you, to keep your hair at its best.
Hair is obviously much more than something you just cut and shave. But, what does your hair mean to you?
