If you have hair on your boobs, rest assured that it’s completely normal. However, it’s not something that should be ignored and you should talk to your doctor about it.
Hair on nipples can be caused by hormone fluctuations, like during puberty or as you age. But, it can also be a sign of a health issue, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Then there are treatments like laser hair removal or electrolysis.
Causes
The good news is, hair on your nipples is totally normal and more common than you might think. Like most parts of your body, the breasts and nipple area have hair follicles, so it’s not at all unusual to find some little black strands popping up here and there. And it’s usually not a big deal, especially since the hairs aren’t as coarse and thick as the ones on your head or pubic region, according to experts.
What’s more, it’s not even clear why the hair exists in the first place. Biologically speaking, it may be a leftover from when humans needed body hair to help regulate temperature, but now that we have things like air conditioning and cozy sweaters, the hair doesn’t seem to serve much of a purpose in our lives anymore. So for now, just consider it boob decoration.
That said, it’s important to see your ob-gyn or doctor if you’re noticing a lot of hair growth around the nipples. The extra hair could be a symptom of something else, such as a hormonal imbalance or Cushing’s syndrome.
Hairy nipples are also more common during certain periods of your life, such as pregnancy or menopause. You might also notice more hair if you take medications such as birth control, glucocorticoid drugs or steroids, which can cause fluctuations in your hormones and lead to some unwanted side effects.
Symptoms
Hair growth around the nipple area is common and it’s usually not the sign of an underlying problem. If you are noticing more dark and long hair growth on your nipples or breasts and it is accompanied by other symptoms like acne, weight gain or irregular menstrual periods then make an appointment to see your doctor.
The reason for our nipple hair is not entirely understood, but it is thought that it is left over from a time when we needed body hair to help regulate our body temperature. However, it has no obvious purpose now so it’s not worth worrying about.
If you do want to remove the hair, shaving can be an option but this can cause irritation and ingrown hairs. The best way to remove nipple hair is to tweeze it as this is more precise and causes less pain. However, be careful as the skin in this area is delicate. If you choose to pluck your nipple hairs, do so after a shower as this can open up the pores and reduce irritation.
Other options for removing your nipple hair include depilatory creams but be careful when using these as some are too strong and can cause rashes or burns. You can also opt to have laser hair removal for longer-term solutions. This is very effective but is a more expensive option and can only be carried out by a trained professional.
Treatment
While hairy nipples can be embarrassing, the good news is that they’re not usually anything to worry about. “Nipple hair is a very normal thing for women to have, and it’s just like any other hair on the body,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist tells SELF. However, he explains that hair in the breast or nipple area is different from other body hair because it grows from hair follicles located under the skin. This is why the hair in this area can vary in thickness and color from person to person.
Nipple hair often appears during puberty or around the time of menopause, when a woman’s hormone levels change. In some cases, it may also be a sign of an underlying health issue, like polycystic ovary syndrome or Cushing’s Syndrome. But the most important thing to remember is that it’s not a standalone symptom—it can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as acne or irregular periods.
If you’re struggling with nipple hair, there are a few ways to remove it, including tweezing, shaving, and waxing. You can also try a depilatory cream, which is less painful than using a razor and is formulated for sensitive areas. Another option is to visit a specialist such as a laser hair removal expert who can use a gentler method than a traditional razor or tweezers to get rid of the unwanted hair.
Prevention
If you are experiencing hair around your nipples, it is not something that you should be embarrassed about. It is a completely normal phenomenon that affects many women. In most cases, this is just a result of hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause. However, in some cases, it could be a sign of an underlying issue such as PCOS or Cushing’s Syndrome.
It’s not entirely clear why nipple hair occurs, but it may be an evolutionary holdover from the days when body hair helped us regulate our temperature. However, since we have things like air conditioning and fuzzy sweaters to keep us warm, this function doesn’t seem to be very important anymore.
Hair around the nipple can vary in color, thickness, and length. However, it is usually much lighter than the hair on the rest of your body. You can get rid of nipple hair by shaving, plucking (please be careful with this sensitive area!), waxing, or even laser hair removal.
If you are concerned about your nipple hair, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine the cause of the problem and offer solutions to remove it if necessary.
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