Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Cawdor on 17/11/2020 17:51:15

Title: Why do certain hairs seem to grow very fast?
Post by: Cawdor on 17/11/2020 17:51:15

I have noticed over the years that I'll get an eyebrow hair that is much longer than any of the others. 

Sometimes it will be a gray hair on my forearm that is also somehow longer than all the other hair.  Being gray or rather white, it stands out.  So how is it that I don't ever notice it until it is much longer than the others around it?

Is this hair actually growing faster or does it just seem like it is?

Title: Re: Why do certain hairs seem to grow very fast?
Post by: charles1948 on 22/12/2020 19:36:13

Cawdor, like you, I've noticed that some individual body-hairs do seem to grow abnormally long.  Especially on the chest. Sometimes, I find a hair of startling, almost frightening length.  Also, in the eyebrows and ears.

 This phenomenon seems to be related in some way to increasing age. For example, when I was younger, I had quite luxuriant forests of hairs on my forearms and legs.  Nowadays, these hairs have dwindled and left more bare skin exposed.

Could there be any evolutionary advantage in this?

Title: Re: Why do certain hairs seem to grow very fast?
Post by: championoftruth on 12/01/2021 16:53:40

Quote from: Cawdor on 17/11/2020 17:51:15

I have noticed over the years that I'll get an eyebrow hair that is much longer than any of the others. 

Sometimes it will be a gray hair on my forearm that is also somehow longer than all the other hair.  Being gray or rather white, it stands out.  So how is it that I don't ever notice it until it is much longer than the others around it?

Is this hair actually growing faster or does it just seem like it is?

Also after certain illnesses like a fever the hair growth seem DOUBLE daily!!!

Title: Re: Why do certain hairs seem to grow very fast?
Post by: LaurenaS on 19/01/2021 19:00:26

The reason for hair growth can depend on hormones in your body, age, stress, external influences but also your ethnicity. However whether beard or hair, the growth rate should actually be the same

Title: Re: Why do certain hairs seem to grow very fast?
Post by: set fair on 25/01/2021 21:58:17

I once had a 15 inch long hair on my arm. Doesn't answer your question but the chance to mention it doesn't come up.

Title: Re: Why do certain hairs seem to grow very fast?
Post by: charles1948 on 26/01/2021 17:02:05

Quote from: set fair on 25/01/2021 21:58:17

I once had a 15 inch long hair on my arm. Doesn't answer your question but the chance to mention it doesn't come up.

What had you been doing with your arm?

Title: Re: Why do certain hairs seem to grow very fast?
Post by: queenofscience on 09/02/2021 10:01:56

Yes some hairs definitely grow a lot larger than others. I've noticed too in myself and my partner. I think its a random process, since nothing on our body is the exact same.

Title: Re: Why do certain hairs seem to grow very fast?
Post by: lunascientists1 on 15/02/2021 14:03:35

Hello,

I agree with you all. It is fascinating that on some areas on the body the hair growth is a lot stronger and the hair gets a lot longer than on other places...

I always have the feeling that if I pluck them they grow a lot faster than before... Is there an explanation to this?