One of the basic rules of maintaining personal hygiene is getting rid of the armpit hair as it accumulates sweat and bacteria leading to bad body odor. You can learn How to Get Rid of Armpit Smell. Tips and Tricks here.
Also, women assume that they might grow too long and poke their skin. Well, let us assure you that this is not the case. Armpit hair only grows up to a certain length and it also stops growing after a certain age.
Now, you will wonder “Why does armpit hair stop growing” and how to reduce its growth, right? We have all these answers for you. So, stay tuned with us.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: Does Armpit Hair Stop Growing at a Certain Length?
- Part 2: Does Underarm Hair Stop Growing with Age?
- Part 3: Why Does Armpit Hair Stop Growing?
- Part 4: How Long Does it Take for Armpit Hair to Grow Back?
- Part 5: How to Make Armpit Hair Stop Growing?
Part 1: Does Armpit Hair Stop Growing at a Certain Length?
Armpit hair stops growing at a certain length. The fact is that hair on any part of the body from scalps to toes does not grow longer than its predetermined length. The length is determined by the duration of the hair growth cycle.
The longer the cycle, the longer the hair. While the scalp hair can grow approximately a meter long, armpit hair has a growth limit of a few centimeters. Armpit hair reaches a maximum length of 2 to 3 inches.
Part 2: Does Underarm Hair Stop Growing with Age?
In addition to the termination of hair growth at a certain length, armpit hair also stops growing after a certain age which is in your 50s in most cases. Now, let us see the growth rate of armpit hair during different stages of our lives.
Armpit Hair Growth in Childhood
Childhood is the stage where there is little to no hair growth in the armpit area. This is because the adult hormones are not released yet to induce hair growth. Additionally, even if the children have armpit hair, it is mostly fine and soft vellus hair.
Armpit Hair Growth in Puberty and Teenage
As the child enters puberty, he/she undergoes a change induced by the production of adrenal hormones. This change is called adrenarche and is characterized by the development of pubic and armpit hair. The fine vellus hair develops into dark and thick armpit hair as the child hits puberty.
Armpit Hair Growth in Adulthood
In your 20s to 40s, the hair growth rate, length, darkness, and thickness stay the same unless it is influenced by any changes in hormones like pregnancy, systemic diseases, or drugs.
Armpit Hair Growth in Menopause
A woman undergoes menopause in her 50s. The level of hormones that are released in the puberty is significantly reduced during the menopause. As a result, armpit hair also starts thinning. Also, the hair starts losing its pigmentation and turns gray.
Armpit Hair Growth After Menopause
The menopause is mostly over after a woman hits 60. If she is not taking hormonal replacement therapy, all of her armpit hair falls out. Thus, armpit hair stops growing with age.
Part 3: Why Does Armpit Hair Stop Growing?
The cause of the termination of armpit hair growth after a certain length is given as.
- Anagen: This is the first stage in the hair growth cycle. Here the hair grows actively and reaches a certain length. This phase lasts for a few weeks. The length is determined by the duration during which hair stays in the anagen phases and this duration is determined by genetics.
- Catagen: In the second stage of the hair growth cycle, the blood and nutrition supply to the hair follicle is cut off. Consequently, hair stops growing. This stage lasts for a few days.
- Telogen: Telogen, also called the resting phase of the armpit hair growth cycle is characterized by complete inhibition of hair growth. Here the hair rests for a few months.
- Exogen: In the last stage of the hair growth cycle, the hair finally falls out of the follicle and new hair starts regenerating.
Note: As the anagen phase is of a specific duration of a few weeks, armpit hair also stops growing at a specific length. On the other hand, the anagen phase of scalp hair lasts for many years making it grow much longer.
Furthermore, armpit hair stops growing with age because the level of hormones stimulating armpit hair follicles is reduced.
Part 4: How Long Does it Take for Armpit Hair to Grow Back?
Whether it is removing the armpit hair or growing it out, the choice is yours. So, if you want to grow your shaved or waxed armpit hair, let us find out how long it takes for armpit hair to grow back.
Armpit hair will take a longer time to grow back if you have waxed it and a shorter time after shaving. Once the hair is out of the follicle and visible on the skin, it takes around 1 month to grow up to an inch.
Additionally, the rate of hair growth is highly variable depending on hormonal status and genetics. So, the armpit hair achieves its full length within 2 to 3 months.
Part 5: How to Make Armpit Hair Stop Growing?
If you are planning on stopping the armpit hair growth, here are the 2 foolproof methods for you.
Laser Hair Removal at a Salon
Laser hair removal is an expensive in-salon hair removal procedure based on the principle of selective photothermolysis. Selective photothermolysis is defined as the procedure in which light is absorbed into a certain area of the body while leaving the other areas intact.
In the case of laser hair removal, light is absorbed into the dark pigment of the thick armpit hair. Once the light reaches the hair roots, it transforms into heat energy to destroy the hair follicles.
Also, the hair must be in the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle for the laser to work efficiently. Thus, this heat energy either kills the follicle or puts it in a dormant phase. Resultantly, armpit hair regrowth is stopped.
We already discussed How Many Sessions of Laser Hair Removal You Need. That you need 5 to 10 sessions of laser hair removal for armpit hair. Additionally, you need to keep the following points in mind about armpit laser hair removal.
- Duration of the Session: Each session is done at an interval of 4 to 6 weeks
- Comfort Level: Laser hair removal can be painful in the armpits as the hair is thick and the skin is delicate and sensitive
- Skincare: The pre and post-care of laser hair removal is essential for the optimal experience
- Follow-Ups: You might need yearly follow-ups after you are done with the initial hair removal treatment.
IPL Hair Removal Handset at Home
If you plan on going for a gentle hair removal method to get rid of the armpit hair, IPL hair removal serves as a better option. IPL also works on the same principle as that of laser hair removal and the differences between the both are mentioned in Ulike IPL Technology vs Others: What’s the Difference?
Choosing can provide you with benefits including,
- Hair Removal Experience: Comfortable hair removal with Ulike’s ice-cooling technology
- About the Device: Durable and lifelong investment due to Ulike’s unlimited flashes
- Intensity Levels: Customizable hair removal with Ulike’s comfort levels
- Convenience: Affordable and convenient treatment sessions at home
- Duration of Results: Complete armpit hair removal results within 12 weeks and significant hair growth reduction in just 2 weeks.
The Final Verdict
If you suppose that your underarm hair can reach your abdomen if you do not trim it regularly, let us confirm that it is not possible because the underarm hair length is already decided.
The deciding factor in this case is the duration of different phases of the hair growth cycle, mainly the anagen phase. The hair reaches its full length once it is out of the anagen phase.
In addition, the hair also stops growing after the 60s because there are no hormones that trigger the hair follicles and result in the development of new armpit hair.
