Nipples are one of many places on your body where hair follicles can be found. It is completely normal to have nipple hair. At the same time, having hair growing on your breasts may be a sign of something more serious, in which case it is important to speak with your doctor.
Although it is not known exactly how many women have nipple hair, having hair around the nipple is fairly common. It’s not considered a sign of any medical condition or reason for concern.
Hair color, length, and texture can all vary from person to person. Some people may find that they have coarse, dark nipple hair, while others will have fine, light-colored hair. The color and texture can depend on ethnicity, age, and hormonal balance. Even though in most cases hairy nipples are completely normal, they may be a source of embarrassment for some. There are various forms of hair removal such as plucking or shaving.
It’s important to tell your doctor or ob-gyn if you suddenly start finding hair on your breasts. If you aren’t going through a hormonal shift such as pregnancy or menopause, there may be a more serious underlying cause for hair on your nipples.
Having hair around your nipples is a normal part of being human. Many people have it, and it’s usually no cause for concern. There are a few underlying conditions that can cause excessive hair on your nipples, though, and some of these can be serious.
As we age, our hormones go through changes. From puberty to pregnancy to menopause, shifting hormones can mean hair in places we haven’t seen it before, including the breasts. Women in their 20s or 30s can also go through hormonal changes, resulting in nipple hair.
In some women, hormone imbalances result in an overproduction of certain hormones, particularly testosterone. In addition to producing more hair in certain places, like the nipples, having high testosterone levels can also manifest in other ways, including:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that usually affects women of childbearing age. It is diagnosed if a woman has two of these three signs: excess androgen, irregular periods, and polycystic ovaries that are revealed in an ultrasound examination. PCOS can result in symptoms such as:
When the body is exposed to high levels of cortisol for extended periods of time, Cushing’s syndrome can develop. Having hair on your breasts is one of the symptoms of this syndrome. Others include:
Certain medications, such as glucocorticosteroids and testosterone, can cause nipple hair to grow. These medications can also result in additional symptoms related to excess testosterone and cortisol, such as Cushing’s syndrome.
While removing nipple hair is generally considered safe, some methods, such as tweezing, waxing, or shaving, can be uncomfortable. In addition, these methods can also increase the chances of ingrown hairs or infection, both of which can be painful.
There is nothing dangerous about removing nipple hair. At the same time, if you decide to remove it at home, use common-sense precautions. Go carefully and slowly in order to avoid cutting or nicking your skin. You can also look into other options, such as electrolysis or laser hair removal, which are also considered safe. Even though they cost more than at-home methods, both are good choices for those seeking a longer-term solution to nipple hair. Avoid depilatory creams and bleach, both of which can cause unwanted side effects like skin irritation and rashes.
If your nipple hair is making you uncomfortable and you want to get rid of it, there are a number of ways to go about it. Shaving, tweezing, and laser hair removal are a few of the options. While most forms are safe, some do come with potential, albeit minor, risks.
While some people use a depilatory cream to remove unwanted hair on other parts of their body, using it around the nipples is not recommended. Both hair removal creams and bleach can contain harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive areas, causing skin irritation and rashes. It’s better to avoid them and use one of the other, safer available options.
If you have hairy breasts but no other symptoms, there is no reason for concern. However, if you experience a sudden appearance of hair on your breasts, accompanied by additional symptoms, you should discuss these concerns with your doctor. Hair loss, mood disorders, irregular periods, or infertility can all point to an underlying imbalance or health concern, such as PCOS or Cushing’s syndrome. Your doctor can perform tests to help you determine the cause.
While you can remove nipple hair yourself, it can also be a good choice to speak with your doctor about the best possible method. Even though the choices for nipple hair removal are considered safe, side effects like ingrown hairs or infection can occur. Your doctor can help determine how best to avoid these uncomfortable and unwanted reactions.
Having hairy nipples is embarrassing for some people. Rest assured that you aren’t alone, and, as long as you aren’t experiencing other side effects, nipple hair is completely normal. However, if it makes you uncomfortable, you can choose from a number of hair removal options that are both safe and effective.
