Name: Mark
Status: other
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
Why do people have arm pit hair and what is it's purpose?
Replies:
Steve,
As always, to understand things that humans have in their anatomies but that
have no apparent use [e.g., arm pit hairs] one needs to think about
evolutionary forebears and look to closely related species for clues. Two
levels to the response: the nature of those particular hairs and how they
serve to help advertize your basic adult [post-pubertal] human condition,
however masked by contemporary perfumes & deodorants. Hair is akin to fur
but without the insulative properties, and comes in generally coarse & fine
varieties. The particular coarse hairs which develop in the pubic area and
in the armpits arise at puberty [clue #1]. Hair follicles in these areas
have a type of sweat gland associated with them, called an apocrine gland,
that begins to function at puberty and is widely associated with
scent-communication via chemicals known as pheromones [clue #2]. Apocrine
glands produce an otherwise non-offensive secretion that now appears to be
homologous with animal sex-specific scents. Unfortunately its components are
broken down by bacteria to form odors associated with dirty locker room
smells. The arm pit hairs serve as extended surface from which these
volitile chemicals can be more efficiently broadcast. Scientific data
supporting the presence & effect of human pheromones have become more
substantial in the last couple of years. Interestingly, perfume companies
have recently begun playing up the nature of human pheromones!
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