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What Is the Purpose of Armpit Hair?

Dan Harkins
Dan Harkins

Though some subscribe to creationist beliefs, it is fairly common scientific belief that Homo sapiens evolved from earlier homonids that had copious amounts of body hair, not just in their armpits and pubic regions but all over every inch of skin. Over many millennia, less and less hair seems to be the path that natural selection has taken, though some believe the hair that remains serves some purposes. Armpit hair, it is believed, not only nurtures a heated, musty nest of mate-attracting pheromones, but also offers protection from chafing. Women who regularly shave their armpits and other regions in 2011, however, do not seem to mind its absence.

Though it could easily be considered conjecture, some scientists believe that armpit hair has continued to be part of the human package mostly due to pheromones. The apocrine glands of the armpits are a major producer of these secretions, which many animals and humans emit to attract mates. More hair present results in a more protein-rich environment for chemical communication via pheromones. It is actually the bacteria of the armpit hair that breaks down sweat into something stinky, since pheromones are considered odorless.

Many women choose to remove their underarm hair.
Many women choose to remove their underarm hair.

Several perfume and cologne manufacturers claim to include human pheromones in their recipes to give an added appeal. Some scientists dispute whether it is possible to distill these odorless hormones, stating that many of these concoctions contain synthetic versions of the body's natural hormones. Regardless of the scent attraction debate, some speculate that oil-rich armpit hair is useful for lessening the amount of friction that is produced between between the upper arm and torso during movement. Others, however, insist that the bristly hairs actually add to the friction and do not provide any lubrication at all.

Women who regularly shave their armpits don't seem to mind the absence of hair there.
Women who regularly shave their armpits don't seem to mind the absence of hair there.

Researchers started suspecting and investigating the existence of hormonal pheromones more than 100 years ago. It was not until 1959 however, that it was named as such, by two scientists, the Swiss entomologist Martin Luscher and the German chemist Peter Karlson. The word "pheremone," means in Greek, "carrier of excitement." The discovery, however, was made with termites instead of humans and their armpit hair.

Researchers believe unshaven armpits have higher amounts of pheromones.
Researchers believe unshaven armpits have higher amounts of pheromones.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, pheromone research has largely focused on insect attraction, primarily in the pest management field rather than the pheromone content of human armpit hair. In 1980 for instance, 4,000,000,000 beetles were lured by pheromones to traps in Norway and Sweden to stem an infestation that threatened crops. The technology has spread worldwide, though an understanding of human pheromones is still largely elusive in 2011.

Discussion Comments

ZipLine

@SarahGen-- Sweat really has nothing to do with pheromones. Pheromones are chemicals and our brain recognizes them without us even realizing. This is what most of us call "attraction." Less armpit hair can possibly mean less effective pheromones.

SarahGen

@fBoyle-- I don't want to get into an argument about where humans came from, but armpit hair definitely has a purpose, it actually has more than one.

Taking more oxygen back to the tissues might be one of them. Armpit hair also helps regulate temperature and it does also work as a lubricant like the article said.

The only purpose I'm doubtful about is the pheromones. How can the opposite sex be attracted to pheromones released by the armpits when it's also covered in the less than pleasant scent of sweat?

fBoyle
I don't think we evolved from animals. God created us separately. If it was true that we had evolved from animals that were covered in fur, why would hair remain only on certain parts of our body? Plus, animal fur and human body hair are not the same.

If you ask me, I think armpit hair (as well as genital hair) exists because these areas need more oxygen. Since we cover up these areas with clothes most of the time, hair serves as an extension to carry oxygen back to the tissues in these areas.

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    • Many women choose to remove their underarm hair.
      By: Artem Furman
      Many women choose to remove their underarm hair.
    • Women who regularly shave their armpits don't seem to mind the absence of hair there.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      Women who regularly shave their armpits don't seem to mind the absence of hair there.
    • Researchers believe unshaven armpits have higher amounts of pheromones.
      By: philipus
      Researchers believe unshaven armpits have higher amounts of pheromones.
    • Several perfume and cologne manufacturers claim to include human pheromones in their recipes to give an added appeal.
      By: Marzky Ragsac Jr.
      Several perfume and cologne manufacturers claim to include human pheromones in their recipes to give an added appeal.
    • Several perfume manufacturers claim to include human pheromones in their recipes.
      By: Liv Friis-larsen
      Several perfume manufacturers claim to include human pheromones in their recipes.
    • Removing hair from the underarms may reduce excessive sweating in the area.
      By: vladimirfloyd
      Removing hair from the underarms may reduce excessive sweating in the area.
    • Armpit hair can protect from chafing and harvest mate-attracting pheromones.
      By: Franco Tognarini
      Armpit hair can protect from chafing and harvest mate-attracting pheromones.
    • Some men may shave their armpits in an attempt to prevent sweat from being trapped and causing body odor.
      By: detailblick
      Some men may shave their armpits in an attempt to prevent sweat from being trapped and causing body odor.