Why does body hair change with age?

Following a remark by Alex Agnew, Dr Griet Voet explains in Het Nieuwsblad why the hair on our head often gets thinner over the years, while body hair actually increases. Hormones and hereditary predisposition play the main role: hair follicles on the scalp respond to male hormones by shrinking, while hairs elsewhere become thicker and more visible.

She also describes how scalp hair and body hair differ in function, length, texture and colour. In women, more hair can appear on the chin and upper lip after the menopause, and scalp hair often becomes thinner, without them going completely bald. If you are bothered by hair loss, it is best to have the cause established first; a tailored treatment plan then follows.

• Changes in hair growth with age are usually normal.

• Protect a balding scalp from the sun.

• If you have hair loss, first have a doctor or dermatologist investigate the cause.

Want to know more? Read about Hair and scalp disorders at Clinique Dermatologie Gent.