5 Facts Everyone Should Know About Lower Back Hair

It’s More Common than You Think

For many years, you’ve probably heard many tales about men and their back hair. But you almost never hear reports about lower back hair, which led many people to believe that it’s probably not a common occurrence. That’s why some people think that they’re freaks for having hair near their buttocks.

But it’s actually more common than you might think.

One study conducted by Harvard revealed that 25% of men surveyed had hairy upper backs while 26% of all respondents had lower back hair. So it’s not really that uncommon. Of course, the majority of respondents were mostly students, which means those numbers could actually go up once they hit the big 3-0.

Women are also not safe against the scourge of the lower back hair. Although not as thick, women also have the ability to grow lower back hair (frequently referred to as a snail trail).

Hair growth is a result of the actions of body hormones called androgens. They are responsible for most of the masculine features on the body. Whether male or female, androgens can cause hair to grow on your body, even on the lower back.

Androgens tend to become more active when you are in your 30s, which could mean there’s even more hair in store for you as you age.

It Doesn’t Have a True Purpose

While scientists have figured out the purpose of other hair on our bodies, they are still baffled as to what the true purpose of lower back hair is. For instance, hair inside the nose and ears serve as a filter for dust and other impurities. Your eyelashes also catch dirt that may enter the eyes. Lower back hair, on the other hand, do not have a discernable purpose.

Many theorize that its purpose is similar to hair on other parts of the body that regulate body temperature.

As sweat is produced from the sweat glands, hair provides more surface on which it can evaporate faster. In cooler climates, it can also serve as a form of insulation that allows you to trap more body heat.

No One Finds It Sexy

Many people don’t enjoy talking about body hair.

Who would?

It’s not exactly a sexy topic to begin with. But while some people may argue that hair on other parts of the body can be sexy such as on the face, chest, or groin area, everyone is in consensus that back hair, especially lower back hair, is not.

Body hair, in olden times, was revered so much because it was a symbol of virility. Especially in men, the more body hair you had, the more desirable you became. And in the 1960s and 70s, men weren’t afraid to show off their chests full of man fur, and no one paid heed if you had back hair.

Then came the 90s.

The likes of Mark Wahlberg (Marky Mark) and other rappers paved the way for bald-chested men to be seen as sexy, which became a growing trend. Hollywood followed suit. Today, hair-free is the new sexy.

Thankfully, chest hair has seen a resurgence in more recent years with the likes of Jason Statham, Hugh Jackman, and Bradley Cooper leading the charge.

But not with lower back hair. One survey done by a popular men’s magazine concluded: “lower back hair is never sexy.”

Many Factors Actually Contribute to Its Growth

When it comes to lower back hair, there are many factors that govern its growth in both men and women. Hormonal imbalances, genetics, medication, and different medical conditions can all affect hair growth.

A hormone imbalance causes you to produce more androgens. While some men welcome the idea of having more hair (especially on the face), this is a nightmare for women, considering your back will look like that of a man.

This condition is present in those that have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women that have PCOS can have excessive hair growth on their upper lip and lower back because they produce high amounts of androgens.

Some people are also genetically predisposed to have lower back hair. When your father or mother has excessive amounts of hair, chances are, you do too. And even if they don’t, your grandparents might so you’re still not in the clear.

Many medical conditions can also cause excessive hair growth, even in women. Hirsutism is a condition that causes male-pattern hair growth in women. This condition affects more than 8% of women and exists in different forms, causing hair growth in different areas of the body, which can include lower back hair.

They’re Pesky and Hard to Get Rid Of

For those that suffer from back hair, much less lower back hair, it can be quite the ordeal.

No one finds lower back hair sexy. So it’s no secret that no one wants to be seen when they do have it. Even when the situation calls for it, whether at the beach or somewhere intimate, most people simply choose not to take off their shirt just so they won’t be seen with it.

And the sad reality is that lower back hair can be difficult to remove.

Lower Back Hair Removal Options

Your lower back hair can be a pain to get rid of, but there are a handful of hair removal options that you can take. Under these removal options are three courses of action in which you can remove unwanted lower back hair. You can do it by yourself, which means you’d have to go in blindly or set up a complicated mirror system to see what you’re doing. You can also ask a friend to help you get rid of your back hair for you, which means you’ve have to be THAT close if he or she agrees. Lastly, you can go the professional route and ask for help from a professional medical aesthetician.

Side note: we don’t recommend tweezing and trimming your back hair. Tweezing just takes up too much time while trimming is just, well, pointless and unnecessary.

Shaving

Shaving your back has always been a go-to move for those with plenty of lower back hair. But as you might know, there are a plethora of risks involved when shaving your back. For one, you can’t see where you’re going so it might be best to proceed with caution.

When opting for a shave, it is recommended that you use specially-made razors for back hair shaving. These razors have long handles that allow you to reach various areas along your back. Here are some safety guidelines when shaving your back:

• Use an electric razor so you won’t cut yourself during the entire process.
• Always add shaving cream all over the area to help you achieve a close shave.
• Don’t be in a hurry. Take your time.

Or better yet, acquire the services of a friend or partner to help you shave your back for you. This eliminates all the unnecessary risks involved when shaving your back by yourself.

Depilatory Creams

Depilatory creams give you all the benefits of shaving minus the risks. All you have to do is apply the cream on your lower back and wait for the cream to dissolve the hair before you can scrape it off and wash the area.

But while that may sound easy enough, there is also a downside.

Depilatory creams dissolve exposed hair, which makes it easy to simply wipe or scrape the hair off your skin. However, this also means that it may cause irritation on the skin, depending on your skin’s reaction and whether or not it is sensitive.

Another big downside is that depilatory creams tend to be quite expensive. Considering that its effect is just like shaving, this means after just a few days, hair starts to grow back. Only the exposed hair is cut, leaving the roots intact and hair grows much quicker.

Waxing

One of the most effective methods for removing lower back hair is waxing. With waxing, hair is pulled out from its roots, leaving you with smooth skin all around. This also allows you to stay hair-free for about two weeks longer than when you shave.

Despite it being one of the most effective methods, it also has one big disadvantage: it’s also quite painful. So if you have a low tolerance for pain, you might be better off choosing a different hair removal method.

If you’re still keen on going through the entire ordeal, then you have two options. You can choose to it by yourself or do it with a professional. Doing it with a professional at a salon or spa allows you to enjoy its full benefits without you having to do all the work. Plus, the staff are professionals who can do it more quickly but less painfully.

If you choose to do it at home, make sure you have a close friend or relative nearby to help you with the entire process. It can be difficult to apply the wax on your lower back so it’s important that you have someone do it for you.

Waxing at home is certainly much more affordable than at a salon. However, there is also a much higher risk for things to go wrong. For instance, you can get burns when the wax you apply gets too hot. There is also a chance of incorrect application, which makes the process ineffective and will need reapplication.

Here are a few tips when applying wax at home:

• Always check the temperature of the wax before application. Hover your hand over your wax heater or use a candle so you can regulate the heat.
• When applying the wax, make sure you apply it in the direction of the growth of the hair. Similarly, apply the strip toward the direction of the growth. Let it dry for a few seconds before you pull it off.
• Pull the strip off in one swift motion. Always pull in the direction opposite the growth of the hair.

Laser Hair Removal

Perhaps the most effective method for removing lower back hair, and is the most recommended, is laser hair removal. Laser hair removal uses intense heat from a laser to target the hair on your lower back and destroying it along with the hair follicles so you stay hair-free for a long, long time.

Laser hair removal is classified as a permanent hair removal method, which means it can effectively remove lower back hair without you having to go back to the center just to have maintenance done.

But just a word of caution. While laser hair removal is effective in banishing lower back hair, it will require multiple sessions spread out over a few months get the full benefit of the treatment due to variations in the growth of your hair.

Why Laser for Lower Back Hair Removal?

As someone that frequently suffers from the bane of lower back hair, it can be quite reassuring to have a hair removal method that is not only effective, but is also permanent. Here are some reasons why you should go for lower back hair laser removal.

It’s Cost-Effective

When taking the price of laser hair treatment at face value, it would seem that the treatment is expensive due to the hefty price tag attached to it. While that may be the case, it’s not really what it seems.

Laser hair treatment, while expensive upfront, is actually a cost-effective method when compared to other hair removal methods. These hair removal methods are only temporary, which means you will need to repeat the procedure within a few days or weeks just to stay hair-free. Repeat that for an entire lifetime and you’re left with quite the price tag.

In comparison, laser hair treatment is essentially a one-time thing, which leaves you hair free for a way longer time than other methods.

No Ingrown Hairs

Another risk posed by shaving and waxing is that you are prone to ingrown hairs. This causes itchy, unsightly bumps that look like pimples to appear on your skin. With laser treatment, there is no risk for this happening. You are just left with smooth, hair-free skin minus the risk. In fact, laser hair treatment is so effective in targeting hair follicles that it can even reduce ingrown hairs on the body.

It is Precise

Treatments involving the laser are quite precise in that they only target areas that you really want to target. For the treatment of lower back hair, only the hair follicles on your lower back are targeted – and does so accurately. This means you can get effective, localized treatments with no risk posed for other areas of the body. You can also get results faster, for longer.

For lower back hair laser removal, consider Indy Laser as your number 1 option in Indiana. Talk to our representatives and schedule your free consultation today.