Male hormones are considerably different than female hormones, and male hormones bring out male physical characteristics. It is our androgens that make us appear different than women, in terms of breasts, hips and body shape. Hormones cause significant growth all over the body in men, while women grow much less hair on theirs. Androgens also affect the growth rate of hair on males and there has been a great deal of research that attempts to discover the speed with which hair grows on men compared to women.
So, does men’s hair grow faster than women’s. Typically men’s hair grows faster than women’s hair does. However, there are variables, such as whether a women is pregnant (which tends to speed up hair growth) and the time of year (hair grows faster in summer than winter).
We are beginning to discover the reasons for these differences between the sexes and science and our understanding of human evolution and survival have given us answers that will no doubt surprise you. We first need to know more about our male hormones.
Note that there are other hair studies which suggest that men’s hair does not grow faster than women’s, even though men and women are different on the genetic level. Hair grows an average of a quarter to a half inch a month on both men and women; due to the fact that men’s hair is shorter than women, hair growth is more noticeable on a man than on a woman. However, men have more testosterone than women, and testosterone is responsible for hair growth. So is there a difference? We need to know a little more about androgens and the endocrine system and their impact on our hair.
Table of Contents
What are Androgens?
Androgens are responsible for the growth of the male body and male characteristics, such as muscle mass, sex organs and hair. Androgens are what makes gives us maleness. Testosterone is the androgen responsible for hair growth on the male body and is the most significant. Females have testosterone as well, but at much lower levels.
Hair follicles underneath the scalp are influenced by androgens and control the speed at which hair grows and how long hair will be. In mammals, melanocyte stimulating hormones are the primary cause of hair growth.
DHT, a male hormone five times more powerful than testosterone, can have a negative impact on hair growth and is thought to be responsible for baldness.
Studies have shown that the thicker and coarser hair is, the longer it can grow. Thin, fine hair noticed when young will likely thin out as we age and lead to early hair loss on the scalp.
It’s been theorized recently that hair growth differences in men and women are found on the genetic level, so that some men grow hair faster than women, but some women, because of their DNA, grow hair faster than men. The difference then is not sex-specific. That means that testosterone doesn’t play a role in how fast hair grows, but instead focuses only on hair thickness.
Women’s hair is naturally softer than thicker and coarser men’s, hair. Women can have hair that is denser than men as well, but each male hair strand is thicker than a single female hair strand. Despite thicker hair strands, men tend to grow bald while women usually keep a full head of hair throughout their lives.
Why Do Men Grow Bald?
Both men and women lose about 100 strands of hair each day, as part of a repeating cycle of hair loss and hair replacement. At some point, though, men will lose more hair than they replace on their head and will eventually notice are on their heads that is either thinner or completely bald.
Most men (upwards of 85%) will have some hair loss that is noticeable. We mentioned DHT, a powerful male hormone linked to testosterone. It is believed that DHT, over time, causes hair follicles to shrink. So, when hair grows back through the hair follicle, it is thinner and finer. As men age, the follicles shrink to a point where no hair strands can pass through them.
Other factors can cause the production of DHT, which will, in turn, cause hair follicles to become narrower.
- Stress
- Diabetes
- Infections of the scalp
- Hair being pulled
- Ponytails (pulling on the hair)
- Not enough iron in the diet
- Anabolic steroids (used to grow muscle mass)
- Thyroid diseases
These conditions, or the way you personally treat your hair, aren’t the only determining factors for hair loss. Genetics plays the most significant role regarding our appearance and how much hair stays.. If a parent developed baldness, there is a better chance that their offspring will also have thinning or balding hair.
How To Make Short Hair Look Feminine
The recent discovery of stem cells used in research has given us better theories about hair loss. It is now believed that stem cells located on the scalp that are unable to grow cells that make hair follicles. Whatever the reason, there are treatments for hair loss today. Some of these treatments work to an extent. Hair restoration isn’t an exact science, but some do have more successful results over time than others. Let’s take a look at some of them
Which Hair Restoration Methods Have been proven to Work?
Medical treatment short of hair transplantation is not guaranteed to be 100% effective. However, as the science behind hair loss is better understood, products will be increasingly effective..
- Minoxidil and Finasteride
Minoxidil and Finasteride (marketed as Rogaine and Propecia respectively), are the only two drugs approved by the FDA for treating hair loss. Minoxidil is available over the counter or by prescription and is a topical get that’s applied to the bald parts of the scalp. Its effectiveness is still below 15%. However, (and this will sound confusing), almost 75% of men who used minoxidil claimed that the drug improved their hair density. Hair density means how many strands of hair grow in any given square inch on the scalp.
Then bottom line is that millions of men use minoxidil and have been using it for the past twenty years. Results vary and there are hundreds of opposing claims as to its effectiveness, so the best way to know is to try it for yourself.
Finasteride yields somewhat better results and requires a prescription from a doctor. It is a pill rather than a topical liquid. However, stopping the drug will cause hair loss to resume.
Interestingly, a man can take both minoxidil and finasteride at the same time. One is a pill and the other is a topical liquid, so it seems to make sense that millions of men take them simultaneously.
How do Finasteride and Minoxidil Work?
Finasteride prevents loss of hair by preventing testosterone form converting to dihydrotestosterone (DHT that was mentioned earlier). There is a proven link between production of DHT and shrinking hair follicles.
The action of DHT is extreme and irreversible. Once the hair follicles get smaller, they don’t widen again.
This is where minoxidil comes into play. This drug is a vasodilator, which means it widens blood vessels in focused areas of the body. Interestingly, erectile dysfunction drugs such as Silfenadil work the same way: they open blood vessels near the genitals and promote erection.
Applying minoxidil to the scalp helps relax the walls of the blood vessels and allows blood to flow freely to the affected areas, especially the hair follicles. Wider blood vessels means nutrients can once again flow to the hair follicles. It is believed this will promote hair growth. Specifically, minoxidil promote growth, forcing hairs that are no longer growing to be replaced by new hairs that will grow in their place.
Results aren’t immediate, however. Both finasteride and minoxidil will begin showing results after time. In most cases, the drugs begin yielding results after a year or so of use.
Which Hair Loss Drug Should I Use?
Since each man has different issues regarding hair loss, the best thing you can do is to consult a hair loss specialist, or your doctor if they know your personal health status extensively. Your doctor can either guide you to the right product or refer you to the best specialist for your case. Typically, Rogain has worked well for men over the years. It helps reactivate hair follicles to stimulate hair growth.
Have patience; results will not occur overnight. If you desire to replace your lost hair, consider trying one of these medications (or both at the same time), or consider hair transplantation. Always make informed decisions, because any of these approaches will alter your appearance in different ways.
FAQs
Does Men’s Hair Grow Faster Than Women’s? | Expert Gentleman? ›
Gender has no effect on the hair growth rate of humans. Testosterone does make individual male hair strands thicker (thicker hair strands have an easier time retaining length), but the key reason men are able to grow longer hair much easier in comparison to women is actually quite simple.
Does men hair grow faster than women's? ›Several factors, including age, genetics, and gender, can influence how fast hair grows: For example, studies show that male hair tends to grow faster than female hair, while natural, textured hair tends to grow slower than other hair types.
How much faster does male hair grow than female? ›Gender – Though it may seem like men's hair grows longer and faster than women's, there is no known biological difference. However, because women's hair is exposed to more harmful hair care products and routines, it is more prone to damage and breakage, making it seem like it doesn't grow as fast as men's hair.
Why does women's hair grow slower than men's? ›One obvious difference is the process of hair growth. Head hair develops in three stages: formation and growth, resting, and fallout. The male hormone testosterone speeds up the cycle so that men reach the third stage earlier than women.
How fast does hair grow men per day? ›Most hair strands grow at an average rate of about 0.3 to 0.4 mm a day. So, this means it may grow up to one-tenth of an inch or a little more in a week.
How fast does hair grow for a man? ›How Fast Does Hair Grow in Men? Let's cut right to the chase: On average, you can expect your hair to grow right around five inches per year. However, hair growth varies from person to person and happens in a relatively complex process very uniquely called the hair growth cycle.
Which gender loses hair faster? ›Because men are constantly producing testosterone throughout their lives, they are also constantly making DHT, and so it makes them more likely to lose their hair than women, who do not have a similar genetic disposition to hair loss.
Which gender has the fastest hair growth? ›Factors that influence hair growth
Genetics: A person's genes will dictate how quickly their hair will grow. Sex: Male hair grows faster than female hair. Age: Hair grows fastest between the ages of 15 and 30, before slowing down.
Testosterone is the most potent of the male hormones. Testosterone stimulates hair growth on the face and body. Generally, the more testosterone, the faster and coarser body and facial and body hair will grow. Beginning at puberty, and often accelerating during the 20's, total body hair increases in men.
Do Asians hair grow faster? ›Asian hair shows the fastest growth rate in comparison to the other two hair types. African hair has the lowest growth rate. Hair growth rate and hair diameter were reported to be associated with cuticle interscale distance.
What food makes hair grow faster? ›
- Eggs. Eggs are a good source of hair-healthy nutrients like biotin and protein. ...
- Fatty fish. Fatty fish include salmon, herring, trout, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. ...
- Berries. ...
- Spinach. ...
- Sweet potatoes. ...
- Avocados. ...
- Nuts and seeds. ...
- Bell peppers.
Men have higher levels of androgens than women, so their body hair tends to be more prolific. While it's hormones that stimulate facial hair growth, genetics determine how thick and dark a man's facial hair will be, so a fine goatee may be seen as something of an ancestral asset.
What makes hair grow faster? ›- Get frequent trims. ...
- Eat the right diet. ...
- Add a hair-healthy vitamin to your a.m. routine. ...
- Shampoo less and hydrate more. ...
- Lay off the bleach. ...
- Avoid excessive heat styling. ...
- Brush hair regularly. ...
- Protect hair from physical damage.
The African hair is generally curly or frizzy, and grows almost parallel to the scalp. It has the slowest growth rate of 0.9 centimeters per month due to its spiral structure which causes it to twist on itself as it grows.
How fast does black hair grow? ›Scientifically, black hair is the slowest growing hair type due to its elliptical shape and only grows about one third of an inch per month. Alongside slow growth, you'll likely also encounter issues such as breakage, thinning and shedding whilst trying to grow your afro hair; typically, this is due to dehydration.
Why does pubic hair grow so fast? ›The 'grass' down there helps to provide a cushion against the friction which may cause skin abrasions and tiny, open wounds. Secondly, and more importantly, it acts as a barrier against germs and bacteria from entering the pubic area.
Does male hair take longer to grow? ›Both men and women generally have hair growth of about half an inch per month. In a year, that is around 6 inches. Left untrimmed, most men who start with super short hair, such as a buzz cut, will require about two years to grow their hair to their shoulders.
How long does it take to grow hair 12 inches? ›Hair grows about 1/2 inch per month on average , So it will take 2years for 12 inches.
Can hair grow 2 inches in a month? ›It's hard to say exactly how fast your hair grows — everyone is different! — but on average, hair grows about half an inch over the course of a month. That being said, it's not unusual for hair to grow as little as a centimeter or as much as an inch in a month.
At what age do men lose the most hair? ›Approximately 25 percent of men who have hereditary male pattern baldness start losing their hair before the age of 21. By the age of 35, approximately 66 percent of men will have experienced some degree of hair loss. By the age of 50, approximately 85 percent of men will have significantly thinner hair.
What age do men bald? ›
On average it takes 15-25 years for men to go completely bald. This process can begin at any age. About two thirds of men are either bald or have a balding pattern by the age of 60. In a nutshell, there is no particular age when you can expect to see hair loss.
Do guys have thicker hair? ›A man's skin is also oiler and they have more hair follicles. Men's hair is also thicker than women's, so men are more prone to ingrown hairs.
Which gender is more hairy? ›Men develop more androgenic hair than women because we have more androgens. Androgens (sometimes referred to as male sex hormones because we more of them than women) are sexual hormones such as testosterone, androstenedione and DHT, which create male characteristics. This, of course, includes being hairier.
Do boys get mom or dads hair? ›One popular myth is that hair loss in men is passed down from the mother's side of the family while hair loss in women is passed down from the father's side; however, the truth is that the genes for hair loss and hair loss itself are actually passed down from both sides of the family.
Why is long hair attractive? ›Long hair is beautiful and sensual, adds extra feminine flavour to a woman and looks sexy against a white pillow. Good long strong hair is a biological factor traditionally linked to feminine attributes of a woman, and a heterosexual man will often naturally and subconsciously find himself seeking such partner.
Why do men bald so fast? ›But baldness can be deceiving: Two-thirds of men face hair loss by age 35, and a bad genetic hand is often to blame. Male-pattern baldness is an inherited sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a by-product of testosterone), which leads to finer hair, a receding hairline, and finally a deserted scalp.
Do hairy men have more testosterone? ›Like so many things, it comes down to a mixture of genetics and hormones. We know that at least some of the genes for hairiness are carried on the X chromosome – and the way these genes are expressed varies between different men and ethnic groups – but hairiness also correlates with high testosterone levels.
Why do men have nose hair? ›Nose hair serves an important purpose. These hairs catch dust and debris in the air that would otherwise become trapped in your upper nasal passages. Mucus in your nose lubricates your nose hairs. Since the hair is typically lubricated, it also attracts and traps pathogens to keep you from getting sick.
What race has thickest hair? ›The average diameter, or thickness, of Asian hair is from 80 to 120 µm, compared to 65 µm in Caucasian hair and 55 µm in Black hair. The average diameter of Hispanic/Latino hair tends to fall between that of Asian and Caucasian. Caucasians have the highest hair density among the ethnicities studied.
What race has the longest hair? ›You see, the women of the Red Yao tribe have some of the longest hair in the world – as in their hair is almost the same length as their height!
Why African hair is curly? ›
Follicles that are more oval in shape cause curlier hair to grow. Very tightly coiled hair is due to the nearly flat, ribbon-like structure of their follicles. This hair texture is very common in people of African ancestry. Not only is African hair often coiled, it also has a unique texture.
What foods cause hair loss? ›- Dairy.
- Sugar.
- Refined Carbs.
- Nuts.
- Swordfish.
- Greasy Food.
- Carbonated Drinks.
- Alcohol.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
What hair length is most attractive on a guy? ›Traditionally, women have preferred short hair on a man. Clean cut men with neatly cropped hairstyles are the oft-cited “ideal”. However, women tend to be less interested in a man's looks and more in his personality. In other words, with a winning personality, a guy can get away with whatever hairstyle he wants.
What hair type is most attractive to guys? ›A general observation across experiments was that straight hair was perceived as younger, healthier, and more attractive than wavy hair and darker shades (medium copper and brown) were perceived more positively than blonde hair.
Which hair type is attractive in men? ›Wavy Hair
Wavy hair is often considered the sweet spot of men's hair types. It's got the perfect amount of volume without the high maintenance of curly hair.
- Keep up with vitamins and nutrients. ...
- Apply essential oils/carrier oils. ...
- Try topical ointments. ...
- Take keratin supplements. ...
- Use a topical protein treatment. ...
- Caffeinate your follicles.
When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
Why do some white people have curly hair? ›However, a single gene has yet to be found to be solely responsible for the curly (or straight) hair trait in Caucasians. A recent genome wide association scan has found a SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) called rs11803731 in the TCHH gene which accounts for about 6% of hair curliness.
Does rice water grow hair? ›Rice water contains amino acids that aid hair regeneration. This, in combination with vitamins B, C, and E, promotes hair growth.
What is Caucasian hair? ›
Caucasian Hair Type
It can range in color from light blond to dark brown. This hair type grows diagonally and at a monthly rate of about 1.2 centimeters. The strands of Caucasian hair are oval. Caucasian hair density is the highest of the ethnic groups, and thus the fullest.
The rarest natural hair colour is red, which makes up only one to two percent of the global population. You commonly see these hair colours in western and northern areas of Europe, especially Scotland and Ireland. However, natural redheads may not exist for much longer.
What makes black people's hair grow faster? ›Massage your scalp regularly with hair oil
Pumpkin seed oil is one of the best options for growing hair faster. Jojoba and argan oil are two other popular options for black hair growth.
Mythbusting: Braids & Hair Growth
But unfortunately, braiding hair does not speed up growth rate. Your hair grows at a rate determined by genetics, while lifestyle factors like your diet and stress levels can cause thinning and breakage. But the way you wear your hair is not a factor in your hair growth rate.
Pubic hair may extend out to their thighs, and some girls may have a line of hair up to their belly button. Most girls attain their peak height by age 16, but some may continue growing through age 20.
Why does pubic hair smell? ›Pubic hair holds on to residual urine, vaginal discharge, blood and semen. Bacteria line up all along the hair shaft just lunching it up and creating odor. (Very appetizing, I know.) Trimming your pubic hair reduces that surface area for bacteria, thus reducing odor.
Why are pubic hair so curly? ›Marc Glashofer, a dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, claims that the texture of pubic hair tends to be thicker and more coarse than hair on the rest of our body because of its origins as a buffer. “It prevents friction during intercourse that can cause skin abrasion and rashes,” he says.
How long does a guys hair grow in a month? ›According to the CDC, scalp hair grows an average of one-half inch per month. If your hair is two inches long and you're aiming for shoulder length (about 12 inches) growth, that adds up to a little less than two years to reach your goal.
What gender has longer hair? ›Given that men comprise 49.2% of the US population and women 50.8%, the estimated breakup of hair length by gender among Americans is 47% men with short hair, 22% women with medium hair, 17% women with short hair, 12% women with long hair, 1% men with long hair, and 1% men with medium hair.
What ethnicity grows hair faster? ›Hair Growth Rate
Asian hair shows the fastest growth rate in comparison to the other two hair types. African hair has the lowest growth rate.
What foods help hair growth? ›
- Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein and biotin, two nutrients that are essential for hair growth. ...
- Berries. Berries are loaded with beneficial compounds and vitamins that may support hair growth. ...
- Spinach. ...
- Fatty fish. ...
- Sweet potatoes. ...
- Avocados. ...
- Nuts. ...
- Seeds.
Hair grows about 1/2 inch per month on average , So it will take 2years for 12 inches.
How much hair can man grow in 2 weeks? ›The hair growth rate per day is about 0.3 to 0.4 mm. This means that the growth of hair per week would be about 2.1 mm. So, 'How long does hair grow in 2 weeks, if you ask, the answer would be 4.2 mm.
Why is long hair attractive on guys? ›The Way It Looks
Whether it's tied up in a high ball, or running wild down his back, long hair just looks sexy. It's manly and bold, like a viking or a gladiator. It's natural and primal like an ancient warrior.